Understanding MS-DOS Mode

Although you will be able to run most DOS applications without any difficulties from within Windows, you may run into problems with some poorly designed MS-DOS applications—some MS-DOS applications demand total control over system resources and access hardware in the most direct way, bypassing "standard" Windows methods.

Windows 95 accommodates a poorly behaved application to the best of its capability, via MS-DOS mode. This mode is the equivalent to the Real mode present in older versions of Windows, with some "real" improvements.

MS-DOS mode works by giving the errant MS-DOS application the entire system for the duration of the session. Windows removes itself from memory, and leaves only a small "stub" loader in preparation ...

Get Special Edition Using Windows 95 with Internet Explorer 4.0 now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.