Windows

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Windows is a proprietary graphical desktop from Microsoft Corporation.

However, you may experience problems running Windows on FreeDOS. For example, Windows standard-mode works on FreeDOS, but ‘386-mode Windows for Workgroups 3.11 does not.

Using FreeDOS to install Windows

Every so often, someone will ask about using FreeDOS to install Windows95 or Windows98. Bernd suggests to run the SETUP program with No Machine checking, and to Ignore Scandisk:

SETUP /NM /IS

Your mileage may vary. The Windows SETUP program might or might not tolerate the FreeDOS kernel, shell and programs.

If installing Windows98, try booting FreeDOS without drivers (hit F5 during boot) then run the Windows SETUP program. This avoids loading an XMS driver, but Windows98 will load its own xmsmmgr.exe XMS driver which can install itself at runtime.