Running DOS Programs Under Ancient Versions of MS-Windows

DOS programs can be set up to operate safely, dependably, and effectively under all 32-bit vesions of the MS-Windows operating system. The multitasking Windows environment should be seen as a better DOS than DOS.

The following sections are a guide to running and configuring a DOS program in the MS-Windows environment.

• Use a Windows shortcut to run the program
  
• Changing a DOS program's Windows shortcut icon
  
• Program window setup - Full Screen, Close on exit
  

Once everything is set up, you're ready to tap into the power of Windows using your MS-DOS application:

• Copy and Paste
  
• Disable Fast Paste
  
• Task-Switching
  

Advanced Settings

In the unlikely event that you need to set file handles, mapping a folder to a drive, or increase the size of the DOS environment, see advanced settings

Windows shortcut

Using a Windows shortcut is the best way to run a DOS program. When a Windows shortcut is created for a DOS program, the result is a "program information file" (.PIF). Windows uses the program's .PIF file to store settings needed to run it most effectively. The .PIF also stores the way you set up such things as window size and other custom settings.

Creating a Shortcut

In all versions of Windows the methods to create shortcuts are essentially the same. Here's an easy way:

1. In Windows Explorer, Right-drag the program file (.exe) from the source folder to the destination folder and drop it there
2. Click on Create a Shortcut Here

Note that if a shortcut (PIF) has previously been created and customized, it is easier to make a copy of it than to create a new one from scratch.

Changing a DOS program's Windows shortcut icon

MS-Windows can use a DOS program's custom icon if one is available.

1. Right-click the program's shortcut
2. Click Properties and then click on the Program tab
3. Click Change Icon
4. In Change Icon. click Browse
5. Navigate to the program's folder and double-click the program's icon

Program window setup

DOS programs can be run either full screen or in a window. Although full-screen is best most of the time, a DOS program must be in windows mode before it can be used with the Clipboard (copy and paste).

The most convenient method is to configure MS-Windows to run the program full-screen by default upon launch. Then, when copy or paste are needed, switch to window mode using Alt-Enter.

MS-Windows can also be configured to close a DOS program's window automatically after it is exited. This is true also if the program is running full screen.

DOS program Full Screen default

Windows-XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT

1. Start the program and see to it that it is running in a window
   If in full screen, press Alt-Enter to switch to a window
2. Click the System Menu icon at the left-hand side of title bar
3. On the menu, click Default
4. Click on the Layout tab
5. Enter 80 for Width
6. Enter 25 for Heigth twice (Screen Buffer Size and Window Size)
7. Click on Save
8. Reply All when asked this session only or all
9. Again, click on the System Menu
10. On the menu, click Properties
11. Repeat steps 4 through 8

Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE

1. Right-click it shortcut
2. Click on Properties
3. Click the Program tab on the properties sheet
4. Click the drop-down menu for Run
5. Select Normal
6. Still in the Program tab, check Close on exit
7. Click the Screen tab
8. Click the radio button for Full-Screen (Usage section)
9. Click OK

Windows ME

1. Right-click the program's shortcut
2. Click on Properties
3. Click the Screen tab
4. Click in the radio button for Window (Usage section)
5. Click OK
6. Start the program (it runs in a window)
7. Right-click the program's shortcut
8. Click on Properties
9. Click on the Screen tab
10. Click in the radio button for Full Screen (Usage section)
11. Click OK
12. Right-click the program window title bar
13. In display Options, select Full Screen
14. Click OK
15. In the small window which appears:
    Select "Save properties for future Windows with the same title"
16. Click OK
17. Take a break, you deserve it!

DOS program in Windows Mode

As stated above, DOS programs are best run in Full Screen and put into Windows mode with Alt-Enter for copy or paste operations.

If, however, you prefer Window mode, use these steps (all versions of MS-Windows) to make it the default.

1. Right-click on the program shortcut
2. Click on Properties
3. Click on the Program tab
4. Click on the drop-down menu arrow following the Run field and select Maximized
5. Also on the Program tab, check off Close on Exit - this will make Windows return to the Desktop when you quit the program
6. Now click on the Screen tab and there click on the Window radio- button in the Usage section
7. Finish by clicking on OK

Copy and Paste (Clipboard)

In order to copy or paste information a DOS program must be running in a window. If the program is running full-screen (Windows XP, 2000, NT), it can be switched to windows mode by simply pressing Alt-Enter.

Copy to clipboard

Windows 3.11

In window mode:

1. On the Toolbar, click Mark (dotted-line icon)
2. Select text with Shift-Arrow keys or left-drag
3. With text selected, click Copy the Toolbar
4. Paste to destination with Ctrl-V

Paste from Clipboard

Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT

Ater switching to window mode (Alt-Enter):

1. Position cursor in destination (field)
2. Right-click anywhere on title bar
3. Click on Edit
4. Click on Paste

Windows 98/98se, Windows 95, Windows 3.11

Ater switching to window mode (Alt-Enter):

1. Position cursor in destination (field)
2. Click Paste on the toolbar

No Toolbar? Exit program, right-click its shortcut and click Properties. In Properties, click Screen tab. Put check in Display toolbar (Window section). Click OK and restart the program.

Disable Fast Paste

For some DOS applications to work properly they may require having Fast Pasting turned off. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the program shortcut
2. Click on Properties on the shortcut menu
3. In Properties, click on the Misc tab
4. In the Other section, un-check "Fast pasting"
5. Click on OK

Task-Switching

Task-switching was the major advancement of the Windows operating system over DOS. Happily, DOS programs running under Windows benefit from task-switching as well as other Windows features, including the clipboard.

There are several ways of switching between programs in MS-Windows, but one of the most efficient is using Alt-Tab.

Using Alt-Tab is easy once you get the hang of it:

1. Hold down Alt
2. Press the Tab key
3. Let go

To switch to a running program other than the last two you used

1. Continue holding down Alt
2. Press Tab until the program you want is selected in the Task Manager
3. Let go

Alt-Tab works for all programs whether they are running full-screen or in a window.