Running Dosbox On Windows 10
Sep 14, 2016 Today we are going to see how to run a DOS program in Windows 10, 8 or 7. Using either a 32- or 64-bit version. In 32-bit version its easy, but in 64-bit its little tricky. To find out if your machine is 32- or 64-bit, right click Start and select System. 64-bit computer. Running DOS program in. DOSBox was designed to run DOS games, but will run many other DOS applications as well. There’s even a long list of DOS programs that have been tested on DOSBox. As well as Windows, DOSBox will run under Mac OS X, Linux and FreeBSD. Download and Install DOSBox. Navigate to the DOSBox.com downloads website and select the Windows link. The ultimate solution to play DOS games on your PC with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista or XP is DOSBox. DOSBox emulates DOS and the environment in which DOS ran in the past (like an old pc), including memory management and sound configuration, but with the power of your computer today. DOSBox running on a 64-bit version of Windows 10. I quickly navigated to the Temp directory in the DOSBox command prompt. I then proceeded to go into each game directory via DOSBox command prompt and run each of the install programs / scripts.
The sad truth is that some of the really old, classic PC games you enjoyed as a young one just don't work on Windows 10. Some have been 'remastered' or launched through stores like Steam. But in some cases, they just don't cut the mustard.
We're talking about old games made for the MS-DOS OS, and thanks to a wonderful program called DOSBox you can relive these classics all over again.
DOSBox is a free and open-source program that emulates the MS-DOS OS on your modern Windows PC, command line and all.
Essentially you just need to install DOSBox on your computer and create a folder that you're going to stash all of your games in. Having all the games in one place in a folder that's easy to find is key to having an easy life inside DOSBox. Especially if you're not exactly familiar with it. Some of us had dads that handled the DOS parts when we were kids!
Where do I get games and is it legal?
You may already own a bunch of old games, on CD or disk for example, that you can use DOSBox to play. Likewise, you may have digital versions.
In the case of DOS games, you'll hear the term 'abandonware' thrown around a lot. This usually refers to games that have long stopped being supported, with developers having gone out of business or been absorbed by other companies perhaps, and titles where copyright is not actively enforced.
Abandonware isn't legal, as any copyright that exists is still a copyright. But when it comes to games this old, the developers seem to turn a blind eye, and many resources online have been going for a long time now.
Delta Force Game free download for Windows 10 Download Delta Force 1. Although you can install it on all Operating system, it will be the best when delta force game free download for windows 10, because win 10 is the best windows, especially for gaming. Download delta force game for windows 10 for free. Games downloads - Delta Force: Xtreme by NovaLogic, Inc and many more programs are available for instant and free download. As in the original version, in Delta Force 2 you're a member of the U.S. Military's elite antiterrorist detachment, Delta Force. This is a first-person action game based on real-world conflicts. You use real-world weapons and tactics to capture terrorist bases, rescue hostages,. Download delta force for windows 10 for free. Games downloads - Delta Force: Xtreme by NovaLogic, Inc and many more programs are available for instant and free download. 
There are also many legitimate titles that you can download and play completely 100 percent legally. These have been released under Creative Commons, Freeware, General Public License (GPL), or any other copyright free release.
Setting up and playing games
The image above details the basic steps to get a game booted using DOSBox command line. That one folder mentioned above is important because it's the thing you need to mount as a 'drive' inside DOSBox to allow it to find and run your games.
Here are the basic steps to get going:
- Open DOSBox.
- On the command line type MOUNT C C:YOURFOLDER HERE.
- This mounts your games folder as the C drive.
- On the new command line type C:.
- Your 'C drive' will now be mounted.
- Next, type CD YOURGAME referencing the folder of the game you want to play.
- Type gamefile.exe substituting 'gamefile' for whatever the executable is for that game.
Now, you should be reveling in sweet, sweet nostalgia. For more detailed instructions on setting up and running DOSBox, check out the official wiki. You'll also find some handy tips on alternative ways to run games and to automount the correct folder.
Using a front-end to DOSBox
If you'd like the play those sweet DOS games but would rather not mess around with command lines, you can use a front-end. This adds a more 'normal' user interface that's easier to navigate than the command line.
One of the more popular choices is D-Fend Reloaded. It comes bundled with DOSBox integrated so it's a single install on your part. Once up and running all you have to do is drag and drop and it will do the rest.
CD ROMs and DOSBox
If you have an actual physical collection of DOS games on CD-ROM, this is where DOSBox really kicks it up a gear. It allows you to play all those old games you've collected over the years on your modern Windows PC.
You'll have to mount the CD-ROM drive instead of a folder on your PC, with the command you seek being MOUNT D D: -t cdrom. The last part of that is case sensitive, so make sure to type it as 'cdrom.' Obviously, your drive lettering may differ, and in my case a CD-ROM drive is F: on my PC, but mounted to D: in DOSBox.
The rest of the process is the same as detailed above. Again, more information can be found on the official wiki, including details on how to mount floppy drives.
Your thoughts
DOSBox is a great tool that can be used to relive a golden age, be it games or software, and it's actually pretty easy to get to grips with.
If you have tips, tricks or golden memories to share be sure to drop them into the comments!
Most of your older Windows apps should just work on Windows 10. If they worked on Windows 7, they’ll almost certainly work on Windows 10. Some older PC applications won’t just work, but there are many ways to get them working again.
These tricks cover a variety of applications, from Windows XP-era apps and old PC games that require outdated DRM to DOS and Windows 3.1 applications.
Run as Administrator
RELATED:Why You Shouldn’t Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows
Many applications developed for Windows XP will work properly on a modern version of Windows, except for one little issue. During the Windows XP era, average Windows users typically used their PC with an Administrator account all the time. Applications were coded to just assume they had administrative access and would fail if they didn’t. The new User Account Control (UAC) feature mostly fixed this issue, but there were some teething problems at first.
If an older application isn’t working properly, try right-clicking its shortcut or .exe file, and then selecting “Run as Administrator” to launch it with administrative permissions.
If you find that an app does require administrative access, you can set the app to always run as administrator using the compatibility settings we discuss in the next section.
Adjust Compatibility Settings
RELATED:Using Program Compatibility Mode in Windows 7
Windows includes compatibility settings that can make old applications functional. In Windows 10’s Start menu, right-click a shortcut, select “Open file location” from the context menu
Once you have the file’s location, right-click the app’s shortcut or .exe file, and then select “Properties” from the context menu.
On the “Compatibility” tab of the app’s properties window, you can click the “Use the compatibility troubleshooter” button for a wizard interface or just adjust the options yourself.
For example, if an application doesn’t run properly on Windows 10 but did run properly on Windows XP, select the “Run this program in compatibility mode for” option, and then select “Windows XP (Service Pack 3)” from the dropdown menu.
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Don’t be shy about trying the other settings on the “Compatibility” tab, too. For example, very old games may benefit from “Reduced color mode”. On high DPI displays, you may have to check the “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings” to make a program look normal. No options on this tab can hurt your app or PC—you can always just turn them back off if they don’t help.
Install Unsigned Drivers or 32-bit Drivers
The 64-bit version of Windows 10 uses driver signature enforcement and requires all drivers have a valid signature before they can be installed. 32-bit versions of Windows 10 normally don’t require signed drivers. The exception to this is that 32-bit versions of Windows 10 running on a newer PC with UEFI (instead of regular BIOS) often do require signed drivers. Enforcing signed drivers helps improve security and stability, protecting your system from drivers that are malicious or simply unstable. You should only install unsigned drivers if you know they’re safe and have a good reason to do so.
If old software you want to install does need unsigned drivers, you’ll have to use a special boot option to install them. If only 32-bit drivers are available, you’ll have to use the 32-bit version of Windows 10 instead—the 64-bit version of Windows 10 requires 64-bit drivers. Use this process if you need to switch to the 32-bit version, downloading the 32-bit version of Windows 10 instead of the 64-bit version.
Run Games That Require SafeDisc and SecuROM DRM
Windows 10 won’t run older games that use SafeDisc or SecuROM DRM. These digital rights management schemes can cause quite a few problems. Overall, it’s a good thing that Windows 10 doesn’t allow this junk to install and pollute your system. Unfortunately, it does mean that some older games that came on physical CDs or DVDs won’t install and run normally.
You have a variety of other options for playing these games, including searching for a “no CD” crack (which are potentially very unsafe, as they’re often found on shady piracy sites), repurchasing the game from a digital distribution service like GOG or Steam, or checking the developer’s website to see if it offers a patch that removes the DRM.
More advanced tricks include installing and dual-booting into an older version of Windows without this restriction, or attempting to run the game in a virtual machine with an older version of Windows. A virtual machine may even work well for you, since games using these DRM schemes old enough now that even a virtual machine can likely handle their graphics demands.
Use Virtual Machines for Older Software
RELATED:Beginner Geek: How to Create and Use Virtual Machines
Windows 7 included a special “Windows XP Mode” feature. This was actually just an included virtual machine program with a free Windows XP license. Windows 10 does not include a Windows XP mode, but you can still use a virtual machine to do it yourself.
All you really need is a virtual machine program like VirtualBox and a spare Windows XP license. Install that copy of Windows in the VM and you can run software on that older version of Windows in a window on your Windows 10 desktop.
Running Dosbox On Windows 10 Pc
Using a virtual machine is a somewhat more involved solution, but it will work well unless the app needs to interface with hardware directly. Virtual machines tend to have limited support for hardware peripherals.
Use Emulators for DOS and Windows 3.1 Applications
RELATED:How To Use DOSBox To Run DOS Games and Old Apps
DOSBox allows you to run old DOS applications—primarily DOS games—in an emulator window on your desktop. Use DOSBox to run old DOS applications rather than relying on the Command Prompt. DOSBox will work much, much better.
Nf perception free download. And, since Windows 3.1 itself was basically a DOS application, you can install Windows 3.1 in DOSBox and run old 16-bit Windows 3.1 applications, too.
Use 32-Bit Windows for 16-bit Software
16-bit programs no longer function on 64-bit versions of Windows. The 64-bit version of Windows just doesn’t contain the WOW16 compatibility layer that allows 16-bit apps to run. Try to run a 16-bit application on a 64-bit version of Windows and you’ll just see a “This app can’t run on your PC” message.
If you do need to run 16-bit apps, you’ll need to install the 32-bit version of Windows 10 instead of the 64-bit version. The good news is that you don’t really have to reinstall your entire operating system. Instead, you can just install a 32-bit version of Windows inside a virtual machine and run the application there. You could even install Windows 3.1 in DOSBox.
Use Specific Browsers for Websites Requiring Java, Silverlight, ActiveX, or Internet Explorer
Windows 10 uses the new Microsoft Edge as its default browser. Edge doesn’t include support for Java, ActiveX, Silverlight, and other technologies. Chrome has also dropped support for NPAPI plug-ins like Java and Silverlight.
Dosbox For Windows 10 Download
RELATED:How to Use Java, Silverlight, and Other Plugins in Modern Browsers
To use older web applications requiring these technologies, fire up the Internet Explorer web browser included with Windows 10 for compatibility reasons. IE still supports ActiveX content. Mozilla Firefox still supports Java and Silverlight.
You can launch Internet Explorer from the Start menu. If you’re already Microsoft Edge, just open the settings menu and select “Open with Internet Explorer” to open the current web page directly in Internet Explorer.
In general, if an older application doesn’t function on Windows 10, it’s a good idea to try to find a modern replacement that will work properly. But, there are some apps—especially old PC games and business apps—that you just may not be able to replace. Hopefully, some of the compatibility tricks we’ve shared will get those apps up and running again.
Image Credit: Brett Morrison on Flickr
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