How to Install DOS on Windows XP

Windows XP comes with some support for running old DOS programs, but it's inconsistent at best. It's particularly bad if you want to run games, which on modern machines will sometimes run too quickly in XP to be playable. If you want to use such programs from within Windows XP, you're going to need to install a DOS emulator. The best such emulator is called DOSbox, and is designed especially for running old games that XP doesn't work well with.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connectivity

Instructions

1. Download DOSbox (free download; see Resources.) This free program emulates an old DOS computer from within Windows XP.

2. Install DOSbox. Double-click the file you downloaded to begin the installation process, following the on-screen instructions.

3. Open DOSbox and mount the folder your game is in. Type "mount c" followed by the directory you're game is in.

   For example, if you're game is in "C:\Awesome\Games\" type mount c C:\Awesome\Games\" and hit the "Enter" key.

   You can now run your game as though you were running DOS and the folder specified above was the "C" drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't mount your actual "C" drive as your "C" drive in DOSbox; this could potentially break your system.

References

• MakeUseOf.com: How To Run DOS games in Windows XP
• Dosbox.com: Basic setup

Resources

• Download DOSbox