Prerequisites to install ShellDOS
ShellDOS is software currently under development, so many of its features are not yet ready. When testing, it’s recommended that you make a copy of the previous software, download the new version, and perform a clean test to avoid issues with old configuration files that may not be compatible with the current version of the software.
Please consult our section on how to install or update our system, as well as how to compile it successfully.
Limitations
Once completed, ShellDOS aims to be a fully functional command-line console featuring a retro aesthetic; it is designed to be compatible with both current and discontinued MS-DOS commands, while also being capable of executing Linux commands.
None of this is functional at the moment, as the project is currently in a very early stage. Please be patient.
Prerequisites & System Compatibility
| Operating System | Architecture Support | Configuration & Stability Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 / 7 | 32-bit (x86) |
Fully functional |
| Windows 95 | 16-bit / 32-bit |
Supported. Great for hybrid retro-compatibility testing. |
| MS-DOS / FreeDOS | 16-bit only |
Native support. Ideal for pure legacy disk environments. |
| DOSBox | 16-bit emulation |
Fully supported. Recommended emulator for safe testing. |
| ReactOS | 16-bit (Partial) |
Experimental support. Limited 16-bit subsystem stability. |
You must meet these software requirements to run ShellDOS correctly. It has only been tested on emulators, not on actual hardware (at least not on retro hardware). However, regarding modern systems, having at least 4 GB of RAM is more than enough (in fact, quite sufficient); just keep Windows’ minimum requirements in mind at all times.
However, for retro hardware, a system with 16 or 32 MB of RAM running pure MS-DOS, Windows 3.1/3.11 or at least Windows 95/98 should suffice, given that the software consumes barely 1 MB of RAM.
