So you downloaded a classic DOS game and have no idea how to run it. Do not worry — that is exactly what DOSBox is for. DOSBox is a free, open-source emulator that recreates the DOS environment on modern computers, letting you play thousands of classic games on Windows, Mac, and Linux. This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started with your first DOS game in under ten minutes.
What Is DOSBox?
DOS (Disk Operating System) was the dominant PC operating system from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s. Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11 cannot natively run DOS programs — the architecture is simply too different. DOSBox solves this by simulating an entire DOS machine, including the CPU, sound card, graphics card, and memory, inside a window on your modern desktop.
The result is near-perfect compatibility with tens of thousands of DOS games, running at the right speed with the right sounds and graphics. It is the gold standard for retro DOS gaming, and best of all, it is completely free.
Step 1: Download and Install DOSBox
Windows
- Go to dosbox.com/download and download the Windows installer.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. The default settings are fine.
- DOSBox will appear in your Start menu and on your desktop.
Mac (macOS)
- Download the macOS version from dosbox.com.
- Open the downloaded DMG file and drag DOSBox to your Applications folder.
- On first launch, macOS may warn you about an unidentified developer — go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy and click “Open Anyway.”
Linux
DOSBox is available in most Linux package managers. Open your terminal and run:
sudo apt install dosbox # Ubuntu / Debian
sudo dnf install dosbox # Fedora
sudo pacman -S dosbox # Arch LinuxStep 2: Prepare Your Game Files
Before launching DOSBox, you need your game files ready on your computer. Most DOS games from this site come as ZIP files. Here is what to do:
- Download the game ZIP file from DOS Attic or the Internet Archive.
- Create a dedicated folder for your DOS games — for example,
C:DOSGamesDoomon Windows or/Users/yourname/DOSGames/Doomon Mac. - Extract the ZIP file into that folder. You should see files like
DOOM.EXE,DOOM.WAD, and others.
Step 3: Launch Your Game in DOSBox
Open DOSBox. You will see a black command-line window — this is your virtual DOS machine. Now follow these steps:
Mount Your Game Folder
First, tell DOSBox where your game files are by mounting the folder as a virtual drive:
mount c C:DOSGamesDoomOn Mac or Linux, use the actual path to your game folder:
mount c /Users/yourname/DOSGames/DoomSwitch to the Drive and Run the Game
c:
doomReplace doom with the name of the game’s main executable (for example, wolf3d for Wolfenstein 3D or keen4e for Commander Keen). Not sure which file to run? Look for the largest .EXE file in the folder — that is usually the game.
Step 4: Useful DOSBox Tips
Adjust Game Speed
Some games run too fast or too slow. Use these keyboard shortcuts inside DOSBox to fix it:
- Ctrl + F11 — Slow down (decrease CPU cycles)
- Ctrl + F12 — Speed up (increase CPU cycles)
Toggle Fullscreen
Press Alt + Enter to switch between windowed and fullscreen mode.
Exit DOSBox
Type exit in the DOSBox window and press Enter, or simply close the window.
No Sound?
Many DOS games have a separate sound setup program. Look for a file named SETUP.EXE, SNDSETUP.EXE, or similar in the game folder. Run it first to configure sound before launching the game. For most games, selecting “Sound Blaster” as the sound card works perfectly in DOSBox.
Alternative: DOSBox Staging
If you want a more modern experience, consider DOSBox Staging — a community-maintained fork of DOSBox with better defaults, improved performance, and easier configuration. It is a drop-in replacement and works with all the same games.
Ready to Play?
That is all there is to it. Once DOSBox is set up, every game on DOS Attic is just a download and a few commands away. Start with our most popular pick — Doom (1993) — and experience the game that defined a generation.