View source for Comparison of DOS operating systems

{{short description|None}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019|cs1-dates=y}}
This article details versions of [[MS-DOS]], [[IBM PC DOS]], and at least partially [[DOS|compatible]] disk operating systems. It does not include the many other [[List of disk operating systems called DOS|operating systems called "DOS"]] which are unrelated to [[IBM PC compatible]]s.

== Historical and licensing information ==
Originally MS-DOS was designed to be an operating system that could run on ''any'' computer with a [[x86|8086-family]] [[microprocessor]]. It competed with other [[operating system]]s written for such computers, such as [[CP/M-86]] and [[UCSD Pascal]]. Each computer would have its own distinct hardware and its own version of MS-DOS, a situation similar to the one that existed for [[CP/M]], with MS-DOS emulating the [[CP/M#Basic Input Output System|same solution]] as CP/M to adapt for different hardware platforms. So there were many different [[original equipment manufacturer]] (OEM) versions of ''MS-DOS'' for different hardware. But the greater speed attainable by direct control of hardware was of particular importance, especially when running computer games. So very soon an IBM-compatible architecture became the goal, and before long all 8086-family computers [[influence of the IBM PC on the personal computer market#Domination of the clones|closely emulated IBM hardware]], and only a single version of MS-DOS for a fixed hardware platform was all that was needed for the market. This specific version of MS-DOS is the version that is discussed here, as all other versions of MS-DOS died out with their respective systems. One version of such a ''generic MS-DOS'' (Z-DOS) is mentioned here, but there were dozens more. All these were for personal computers that used an 8086-family microprocessor, but which were not fully [[IBM PC compatible]].

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center; width: auto;"
|-
! style="width: 12em" | Name
! First public release date
! style="width: 11em" | Creator
! Owner or maintainer {{As of|2021|lc=y}}
! License
|-
! {{rh}} | [[86-DOS&nbsp;0.42]]
| 1981-02-25<!-- 86-DOS versions before 0.42 were released in 1980 already, but they still used 16 bytes per directory entry, rendering volumes incompatible with the FAT12 format used since 0.42 and later on by MS-DOS and PC DOS. -->
| rowspan="2" | [[Seattle Computer Products]]
| rowspan="15" {{no|Support ended}}
| rowspan="16" {{Proprietary}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[86-DOS&nbsp;1.00]]
| 1981-04-28
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;1.0]]
| 1981-08-12
| rowspan="14" | [[Microsoft]] (for [[IBM]])
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;1.1]]
| 1982-05-??
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;2.0]]
| 1983-03-??
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;2.1]]
| 1983-10-??
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.0]]
| 1984-08-??
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.1]]
| 1985
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.2]]
| 1986
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.3]]
| 1987
|-
! {{rh}} | [[IBM&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;4.0]]<br/>(called PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;4.0)
| 1988
|-
! {{rh}} | [[IBM&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;5.0]]<br/>(called PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;5.0)
| 1991
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.1]], [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.3]]
| 1993
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7.0]] (revision 0)
| 1995
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;2000]]<br/>(PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7.0 revision 1)
| 1998
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7.10]]
| 2003
| {{no|Support ended by IBM}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;1.25]]<ref name="paterson">{{cite web |title=Father of DOS Still Having Fun at Microsoft |last=Conner |first=Doug |publisher=[[Micronews]] |url=http://www.patersontech.com/Dos/Micronews/paterson04_10_98.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209023553/http://www.patersontech.com/Dos/Micronews/paterson04_10_98.htm |archive-date=9 February 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> (first version named "MS-DOS")
| 1982
| [[Microsoft]]
| rowspan="16" {{no|Support ended}}
| {{open source}}, [[MIT License]]<ref name="msdos_mit_license">{{cite web|url=https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/opensource/2024/04/25/open-sourcing-ms-dos-4-0/|title=Open sourcing MS-DOS 4.0|date=2024-04-25|publisher=Microsoft Open Source Blog}}</ref>
|-
! {{rh}} | Z-DOS&nbsp;1.25
| 1982-05-??
| OEM [[Zenith Data Systems]]
| {{Proprietary}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;2.0]]
| 1983-03-??
| rowspan="15" | Microsoft
| {{open source}}, [[MIT License]]<ref name="msdos_mit_license" />
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;2.11]]
| 1983-12-??
| rowspan="5" {{Proprietary}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.0]]
| rowspan="2" | 1984
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.1]]
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.2]]
| 1986
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.3]]
| 1987
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;4.0]]
| 1988
| {{open source}}, [[MIT License]]<ref name="msdos_mit_license" />
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;5.0]]
| 1991
| rowspan="15" {{Proprietary}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.0]]
| rowspan="2" | 1993
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.20]]
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.21]]
| March 1994<ref name=computerhope />
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.22]]
| April 1994<ref name=computerhope />
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;7.0]] ([[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] 95A)
| 1995
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;7.10]] (Windows {{nowrap|95 OSRs 2 and 2.5}}, 98, {{nowrap|98 SE}})
| 1996
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;8.0]] (Windows Me and later)<ref name="msdos8">MS-DOS&nbsp;8.0 has most of the functionality of prior versions, but with significant losses of usability, e.g., the loss of <code>FORMAT /S</code> command, that can be substituted by formatting HDD/FDD and then copying [[IO.SYS]] from [[CD-ROM]] boot A: image, as first ever file onto drive; loss of <code>SYS A:</code> (or <code>SYS B:</code>) command for floppies, that can be substituted too in the same way as <code>FORMAT /S</code>; inability to boot to a command prompt without substitution/modification of IO.SYS (other than CD-ROM boot version) and [[COMMAND.COM]]. For purpose of booting from C: drive, an unmodified IO.SYS from simulated A: boot diskette image, that is placed on Windows&nbsp;Me OEM CD-ROM, from which that CD boots, can be used, and English COMMAND.COM can be modified by replacing in this file at hex offset {{mono|00006510h}} byte {{mono|75h}} by byte {{mono|EBh}}, or substituted by (now [[freeware]]) [[4DOS]] http://www.jpsoft.com/download.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901044959/http://www.jpsoft.com/download.htm |date=2006-09-01  }}</ref><!--outdated link? i.e. it seems to have unrelated content now, maybe right one is in archive.org-->
| 2000
| {{No|Support ended by Microsoft}}<ref name="winme">While Windows ME support ended, a version of its underlying DOS is included with {{nowrap|[[Windows XP]]}}. When one formats a floppy in Windows&nbsp;XP and selects "Create an MS-DOS startup disk", the floppy is formatted with a DOS version that identifies itself as "Windows Millennium Version 4.90.3000".</ref>
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DOS&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;1.1]], [[DOS&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;1.2|1.2]]/1.2a
| 1985
| rowspan="6" | [[Digital Research]]
| rowspan="7" {{no|Support ended}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DOS&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;2.1]]
| 1986
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.31]]-[[DR DOS 3.35|3.35]]
| 1988
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.40]]-[[DR DOS 3.41|3.41]]
| 1989
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;5.0]]
| 1990
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.0]]
| 1991
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Novell&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7]]
| 1993
| [[Novell]]
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Caldera&nbsp;OpenDOS&nbsp;7.01]]
| rowspan="2" | 1997
| rowspan="3" | [[Caldera (company)|Caldera]], Inc.;<br />[[Caldera UK]], Ltd.
| {{no|Support ended}} officially;<br/>a derivative, [[Enhanced DR-DOS]], was<br/>maintained by Udo Kuhnt until 2011
| rowspan="2" {{Partial}}, free non-commercial use
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Caldera&nbsp;DR-OpenDOS&nbsp;7.02]]
| rowspan="2" {{no|Support ended}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Caldera&nbsp;DR-DOS&nbsp;7.02]]
| 1998
| rowspan="4" {{Proprietary}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Caldera&nbsp;DR-DOS&nbsp;7.03]]
| 1999, 1998 prereleased
| [[Caldera Thin Clients]], Inc.;<br />Caldera UK, Ltd;<br/>[[Lineo]], Inc.
| {{no|DRDOS, Inc.}}
|-
! {{rh}} | DR-DOS&nbsp;8.0
| 2004
| [[DeviceLogics]]
| rowspan="2" {{no|Support ended}}
|-
! {{rh}} | DR-DOS&nbsp;8.1<ref name="drdos81">[[DR-DOS]] 8.1 was pulled from the market after it was discovered that 8.1 code had been copied from [[FreeDOS]] in violation of the [[GPL]] license.</ref>
| 2005
| DRDOS, Inc.
|-
! {{rh}} | [[FreeDOS&nbsp;1.0]]
| 2006-09-03
| rowspan="4" | [[Jim Hall (programmer)|Jim Hall]], et al.
| rowspan="4" {{yes|The FreeDOS Project}}
| rowspan="4" {{open source}}, [[GNU General Public License|GPL]]
|-
! {{rh}} | [[FreeDOS&nbsp;1.1]]
| 2012-01-02
|-
! {{rh}} | [[FreeDOS&nbsp;1.2]]
| 2016-12-25
|-
! {{rh}} | [[FreeDOS&nbsp;1.3]]
| 2021-12-14
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS&nbsp;6.4]]
| 1993
| rowspan="5" | [[PhysTechSoft]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phystechsoft.ru/pts-dos |title=Phystechsoft |quote=<!--from Google Translate-->PTS-DOS 32 [..] Memory Manager himem.sys, included in PTS-DOS 32, supports up to 4&nbsp;GB of RAM.<br />[[PTS-DOS 2000]] [..] PTS-DOS is a powerful and fast 16-bit disk operating system, fully compatible with MS-DOS and all its applications. |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref>
| rowspan="5" {{no|PhysTechSoft}}
| rowspan="11" {{Proprietary}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS&nbsp;6.5]]
| rowspan="4" | ?
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS&nbsp;6.6]]
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS&nbsp;2000]] (6.7)
|-
! {{rh}} | PTS-DOS 32 (7.0)
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS&nbsp;6.51]]
| ca. 1995
| rowspan="2" | [[Paragon Technology Systems]]
| rowspan="2" {{no|Paragon Technology Systems}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Paragon DOS 2000 Pro]]
| rowspan="4" | ?
|-
! {{rh}} | [[ROM-DOS&nbsp;6.22]]<ref name="DL">{{cite web |url=https://www.datalight.com/products/rom-dos/rom-dos-single-user-version |title=ROM-DOS Single User Version |quote=6.22 and 7.1 kernels |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | [[Datalight]]
| rowspan="2" {{yes|Datalight}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[ROM-DOS&nbsp;7.1]]<ref name="DL"/>
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Embedded DOS]]
| [[General Software]]
| {{no|General Software}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DIP&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;2.11]]
| 1989
| [[DIP Research]], [[Atari Corporation]]
| {{no|Support ended}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[RxDOS|RxDOS&nbsp;6.2]]
| 1999
| Michael Podanoffsky
| {{no|Support ended}}
| rowspan="2" {{open source}}, [[GNU General Public License|GPL]]
|-
! {{rh}} | [[RxDOS|RxDOS&nbsp;7.20-7.24]]
| 2018
| C. Masloch
| {{yes|C. Masloch}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[SISNE plus]]
| ?
| [[Itautec]], [[Scopus Tecnologia]]
| {{no|Support ended}}
| {{Proprietary}}
|-
|}

== Technical specifications ==
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center; width: auto;"
|-
! {{rh}} | Name
! [[Hard drive]]: partition size max
! Native support:<br/>[[File system]]s
! Native support:<br/>floppy capacities 3.5"
! style="width: 12em" | Native support:<br/>floppy capacities 5.25"
! style="width: 12em" | Native support:<br/>floppy capacities 8.0"
! Integrated disk compression utility
! Native support:<br/>long file names
|-
! {{rh}} | [[86-DOS&nbsp;0.42]]-[[86-DOS 1.00|1.00]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[FAT12]]<!-- versions of 86-DOS prior to 0.42 supported a 12-bit FAT variant incompatible with what became known as FAT12, therefore not listed here -->;<br/>([[CP/M-80|CP/M&nbsp;2]] through RDCPM)
| {{n/a}}
| [[North Star Computers|NorthStar]] 87.5&nbsp;KB<!-- SD/1S hard-sectored -->; [[Cromemco]] 90&nbsp;KB<!-- SD/1S soft-sectored (WD1771) -->
| Cromemco/Tarbell 250.25&nbsp;KB<!-- SD/1S (WD1771) -->;<!-- 500.5&nbsp;KB SD/2S (WD1771); --> [[Tarbell Electronics|Tarbell]] 616&nbsp;KB<!-- DD/1S (WD1791) -->; Tarbell 1232&nbsp;KB<!-- DD/2S (WD1791) --><!-- 250 KB format also supported by Cromemco controller. Not sure if 500 KB format supported at all by Tarbell or Cromemco right now. --><ref name="86DOS_files">http://www.86dos.org/downloads/86DOS_FILES.ZIP {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724210024/http://www.86dos.org/downloads/86DOS_FILES.ZIP |date=24 July 2011 }}, A [[ZIP (file format)|ZIP]] file containing most of the files from 86-DOS 0.75 (1981-04-18<!-- date stamp of files -->) to 1.00<!-- version in header --> (1981-07-21)</ref>
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;1.25]]<!-- 1.25 was the first MS-DOS release under this name. -->
| {{n/a}}
| FAT12
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB
| 250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="Microsoft_2003_KB75131">{{cite web | url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/75131 | title = Standard Floppy Disk Formats Supported by MS-DOS | publisher = Microsoft Help and Support | date = 2003-05-12 | access-date = 2012-09-11 | version = 2.0}}</ref><!-- Since MS-DOS 1.25 already supported the 2S-format 320 KB, it appears likely that the 8" 500 KB format was supported as well, but I could not find this documented anywhere so far. Earlier versions of MS-DOS 1.1x did not support 2S-formats, whereas 86-DOS did. -->
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;2.0]]-[[MS-DOS 2.11|2.11]]
| 16&nbsp;MB (32&nbsp;MB with third-party FORMAT)<ref name="Mueller_1995_Upgrading_and_Repairing_PCs">Scott Mueller (1995). ''Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 5th Edition''. Que Corporation. {{ISBN|0-7897-0321-1}}. p784: "The limit of 16MB did not come from the FAT, but from the high-level DOS FORMAT command...  Most vendors supplied modified high-level format programs that permitted partitions of up to 32MB to be formatted properly."</ref>
| FAT12
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB
| 250.25&nbsp;KB;<ref name="Microsoft_2003_KB75131"/><ref name="Duncan_1988_MS-DOS_Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Xerox_1983_168"/> 500.5&nbsp;KB;<ref name="Microsoft_2003_KB75131"/><ref name="Duncan_1988_MS-DOS_Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Xerox_1983_168"/> 616&nbsp;KB;<ref name="Duncan_1988_MS-DOS_Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Xerox_1983_168"/> 1232&nbsp;KB<ref name="Microsoft_2003_KB75131"/><ref name="Duncan_1988_MS-DOS_Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Xerox_1983_168">Xerox (1983-11). ''Xerox 16/8 Professional Computer - MS-DOS OS Handbook for 8" Floppy Disks''. 1983-11, MS-DOS 2.0 ([http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/xerox/820-II/610P72377_MS-DOS_OS_Handbook_for_8_Inch_Floppy_Disks_Nov83.pdf])</ref>
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.0]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, [[FAT16]]
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.1]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.2]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16
| 720&nbsp;KB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.3]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;3.31]]
| 512&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16, [[FAT16B]]
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;4.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, [[FAT16B]]
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;5.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB, 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Yes|[[DoubleSpace]]}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.20]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Yes|DoubleSpace}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.21]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;6.22]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Yes|[[DriveSpace]]}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;7.0]] ([[Windows&nbsp;95]]A)
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Yes|DriveSpace}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;7.1]] (Windows&nbsp;95B/OSR2, Windows&nbsp;95C/OSR2.5, [[Windows&nbsp;98|Windows 98]], and [[Windows 98 SE|Windows 98SE]])
| 124.55&nbsp;GB with FAT32<ref name="msdos7">As stated at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q184006& Microsoft's KB article 184006, the limit of 124.55 GB for FAT32 partition size is a mainly a limit of Windows 95/98's 16-bit SCANDISK utility.  Other DOS versions supporting FAT32 may allow a larger partition size closer to the theoretical 2&nbsp;TB/16&nbsp;TB maximum suggested by FAT32's specifications.  Windows&nbsp;2000 and XP can mount and use a FAT32 partition larger than 32 GB, but they cannot natively create one, which according to Microsoft is by design.</ref>
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, [[FAT32]]
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Partial|DriveSpace for Windows&nbsp;95, none for Windows&nbsp;98}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[MS-DOS&nbsp;8.0]] ([[Windows&nbsp;Me]]&nbsp;and later Windows versions)<ref name="msdos8"/>
| 124.55&nbsp;GB with FAT32<ref name="msdos7"/>
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;1.0]]
| {{n/a}}
| FAT12
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB
| {{n/a}}<!-- PC DOS 1.0 did not support 8" floppy formats whereas 86-DOS 1.10 did -->
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;1.1]]
| {{n/a}}
| FAT12
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB (double-sided)
| {{n/a}}<!-- PC DOS 1.1 did not support 8" floppy formats whereas MS-DOS 1.25 did -->
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;2.0]]-[[PC DOS 2.1|2.1]]
| 16&nbsp;MB (32&nbsp;MB with third-party FORMAT)<ref name="Mueller_1995_Upgrading_and_Repairing_PCs"/>
| FAT12
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB
| {{n/a}}<!-- PC DOS 2.0 did not support 8" floppy formats whereas MS-DOS 2.0 did -->
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.0]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, [[FAT16]]
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.1]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16
| {{n/a}}
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.2]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16
| 720&nbsp;KB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.3]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[IBM&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;4.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, [[FAT16B]]
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[IBM&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;5.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB, 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.1]] (early version)
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.1]] with Compression / [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.3]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Yes|[[SuperStor]]}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7.0]] / [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;2000]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 1.86&nbsp;MB ([[IBM Extended Density Format|XDF]]), 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB, 1.54&nbsp;MB (XDF)
| {{n/a}}
| {{Yes|[[Stac Electronics|Stacker]]}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PC&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7.10]]
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 1.86&nbsp;MB (XDF), 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB, 1.54&nbsp;MB (XDF)
| {{n/a}}
| {{Partial|Stacker, not on FAT32}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DOS&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;1.1]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16, [[CP/M-86]]
| 315&nbsp;KB; 720&nbsp;KB; [[CP/M-86|CP/M]] 315&nbsp;KB; CP/M 720&nbsp;KB; [[MSX-DOS]] 360 KB; MSX-DOS 720 KB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 800&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB; [[CP/M-86|CP/M]] 160&nbsp;KB; CP/M 320&nbsp;KB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DOS&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;1.2]]-[[DOS Plus 2.1|2.1]]
| 32&nbsp;MB
| FAT12, FAT16, [[CP/M-86]]
| [[Apricot PC|Apricot]] 315&nbsp;KB;<ref name="DOSPLUS_Apricot">DOS&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;2.1e/g versions for the Apricot ACT series and for the [[Jasmin Turbo]] from the French company [[T.R.A.N.]]&nbsp;S.A. support a non-standard single-sided 315&nbsp;KB FAT12 format.</ref> (720&nbsp;KB<ref name="DOSPLUS_720KB">DOS&nbsp;Plus DISK.CMD versions for the [[Amstrad PC1512]], the [[T.R.A.N.]] [[Jasmin Turbo]] and the [[BBC Master 512]] support variants of 720&nbsp;KB FAT12 formats including the original MS-DOS, and PC&nbsp;DOS format, however known versions of DOS&nbsp;Plus itself don't make use of them.</ref>)
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB; [[BBC Master 512|Acorn]]&nbsp;640&nbsp;KB; Acorn&nbsp;800&nbsp;KB;<ref name="DOSPLUS_Master512">DOS&nbsp;Plus for the [[BBC Master 512]] supports two non-standard FAT12 formats with 640&nbsp;KB and 800&nbsp;KB.</ref> [[CP/M-86|CP/M]] 320&nbsp;KB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.31]]-[[DR DOS 3.35|3.35]]
| 2&nbsp;GB<!-- 512 MB why? -->{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}<!-- DR DOS 3.31 is known not to support the 243 KB aka 250.25 KB format supported by at least 3.41 and higher. Versions 3.32-3.35 and 3.40 currently unknown. -->
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.40]]-[[DR DOS 3.41|3.41]]
| 2&nbsp;GB<!-- 512 MB why? -->
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB">The [[DR&nbsp;DOS]] 3.41-8.0 BIOS ([[DRBIOS.SYS]] aka [[IBMBIO.COM]]) has a profile for an undocumented 250.25&nbsp;KB (aka "243&nbsp;KB") logical format with a non-standard [[FAT media descriptor|media descriptor]] of <code>E5h</code>. DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;3.31 does not support this format.<!-- 3.32-3.35 and 3.40 unknown --> The format is similar, but not identical to the two 250.25&nbsp;KB formats with [[FAT ID]]s <code>FDh</code> and <code>FEh</code> supported by [[MS-DOS 1.25]]/2.x.</ref>)
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;5.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB<!-- 512 MB why? -->
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;6.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|SuperStor}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PalmDOS&nbsp;1.0]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|SuperStor}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Novell&nbsp;DOS&nbsp;7]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|Stacker}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[OpenDOS&nbsp;7.01]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|Stacker}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR-OpenDOS&nbsp;7.02]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|Stacker}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR-DOS&nbsp;7.02]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, (FAT32 in FDISK only)
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|Stacker}}
| {{Partial}}, [[COMMAND.COM]] and [[LONGNAME]] only
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR-DOS&nbsp;7.03]]
| 2&nbsp;GB
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, (FAT32 in FDISK only)
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Yes|Stacker}}
| {{Partial}}, [[COMMAND.COM]] and [[LONGNAME]] only
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR-DOS&nbsp;7.04]]-[[DR-DOS 7.05|7.05]]
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32 (non-bootable)
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Partial|Stacker, not on FAT32}}
| {{Partial}}, [[COMMAND.COM]] and [[LONGNAME]] only
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DR-DOS&nbsp;7.06]]-[[DR-DOS 7.07|7.07]]
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32 (bootable)
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Partial|Stacker, not on FAT32}}
| {{Partial}}, [[COMMAND.COM]] and [[LONGNAME]] only
|-
! {{rh}} | DR-DOS&nbsp;8.0
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 160&nbsp;KB; 180&nbsp;KB; 320&nbsp;KB; 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| (250.25&nbsp;KB<ref name="DRDOS_243KB"/>)
| {{Partial|Supported, not on FAT32}}
| {{Partial}}, [[COMMAND.COM]] only
|-
! {{rh}} | DR-DOS&nbsp;8.1
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[FreeDOS&nbsp;1.0]]
| 2&nbsp;TB {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[FreeDOS&nbsp;1.1]]-[[FreeDOS 1.3|1.3]]
| 2&nbsp;TB {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS]] 32
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[PTS-DOS 2000]]
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | PTS-DOS 2000 PRO
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Datalight ROM-DOS]]
| {{dunno}}
| FAT12, FAT16, FAT16B, FAT32<!-- depends on version -->
| 720&nbsp;KB; 1.44&nbsp;MB, 2.88&nbsp;MB
| 360&nbsp;KB; 1.2&nbsp;MB
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
! {{rh}} | [[DIP&nbsp;DOS]]
| {{n/a}}
| FAT12
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|}

== See also ==
* [[Timeline of DOS operating systems]]
* [[OS/2]]
* [[List of operating systems]]
* [[Comparison of Linux distributions]]
* [[Comparison of operating systems]]

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=computerhope>{{cite web|title=Microsoft DOS history |publisher=[[ComputerHope]] |url=https://www.computerhope.com/history/dos.htm}}</ref>
<ref name="Duncan_1988_MS-DOS_Encyclopedia">{{cite book |title=The MS-DOS Encyclopedia: versions 1.0 through 3.2 |author-first1=Ray |author-last1=Duncan |author-first2=Steve |author-last2=Bostwick |author-first3=Keith |author-last3=Burgoyne |author-first4=Robert A. |author-last4=Byers |author-first5=Thom |author-last5=Hogan |author-first6=Jim |author-last6=Kyle |author-first7=Gordon |author-last7=Letwin |author-link7=Gordon Letwin |author-first8=Charles |author-last8=Petzold |author-link8=Charles Petzold |author-first9=Chip |author-last9=Rabinowitz |author-first10=Jim |author-last10=Tomlin |author-first11=Richard |author-last11=Wilton |author-first12=Van |author-last12=Wolverton |author-first13=William |author-last13=Wong |author-first14=JoAnne |author-last14=Woodcock |contribution=Technical advisors |contributor-first1=Mark |contributor-last1=Zbikowski |contributor-link1=Mark Zbikowski |contributor-first2=Paul |contributor-last2=Allen |contributor-link2=Paul Allen |contributor-first3=Steve |contributor-last3=Ballmer |contributor-link3=Steve Ballmer |contributor-first4=Reuben |contributor-last4=Borman |contributor-first5=Rob |contributor-last5=Borman |contributor-first6=John |contributor-last6=Butler |contributor-first7=Chuck |contributor-last7=Carroll |contributor-first8=Mark |contributor-last8=Chamberlain |contributor-first9=David |contributor-last9=Chell |contributor-first10=Mike |contributor-last10=Colee |contributor-first11=Mike |contributor-last11=Courtney |contributor-first12=Mike |contributor-last12=Dryfoos |contributor-first13=Rachel |contributor-last13=Duncan |contributor-first14=Kurt |contributor-last14=Eckhardt |contributor-first15=Eric |contributor-last15=Evans |contributor-first16=Rick |contributor-last16=Farmer |contributor-first17=Bill |contributor-last17=Gates |contributor-link17=Bill Gates |contributor-first18=Michael |contributor-last18=Geary |contributor-first19=Bob |contributor-last19=Griffin |contributor-first20=Doug |contributor-last20=Hogarth |contributor-first21=James W. |contributor-last21=Johnson |contributor-first22=Kaamel |contributor-last22=Kermaani |contributor-first23=Adrian |contributor-last23=King |contributor-first24=Reed |contributor-last24=Koch |contributor-first25=James |contributor-last25=Landowski |contributor-first26=Chris |contributor-last26=Larson |contributor-first27=Thomas |contributor-last27=Lennon |contributor-first28=Dan |contributor-last28=Lipkie |contributor-first29=Marc |contributor-last29=McDonald |contributor-link29=Marc McDonald |contributor-first30=Bruce |contributor-last30=McKinney |contributor-first31=Pascal |contributor-last31=Martin |contributor-first32=Estelle |contributor-last32=Mathers |contributor-first33=Bob |contributor-last33=Matthews <!-- |contributor-link33=Robert Matthews (scientist)??? --> |contributor-first34=David |contributor-last34=Melin |contributor-first35=Charles |contributor-last35=Mergentime |contributor-first36=Randy |contributor-last36=Nevin |contributor-first37=Dan |contributor-last37=Newell |contributor-first38=Tani |contributor-last38=Newell |contributor-first39=David |contributor-last39=Norris |contributor-first40=Mike |contributor-last40=O'Leary |contributor-first41=Bob |contributor-last41=O'Rear |contributor-link41=Bob O'Rear |contributor-first42=Mike |contributor-last42=Olsson |contributor-first43=Larry |contributor-last43=Osterman |contributor-first44=Ridge |contributor-last44=Ostling |contributor-first45=Sunil |contributor-last45=Pai |contributor-first46=Tim |contributor-last46=Paterson |contributor-link46=Tim Paterson |contributor-first47=Gary |contributor-last47=Perez |contributor-first48=Chris |contributor-last48=Peters |contributor-first49=Charles |contributor-last49=Petzold |contributor-link49=Charles Petzold |contributor-first50=John |contributor-last50=Pollock |contributor-first51=Aaron |contributor-last51=Reynolds |contributor-link51=Aaron R. Reynolds |contributor-first52=Darryl |contributor-last52=Rubin |contributor-first53=Ralph |contributor-last53=Ryan |contributor-first54=Karl |contributor-last54=Schulmeisters |contributor-first55=Rajen |contributor-last55=Shah |contributor-first56=Barry |contributor-last56=Shaw |contributor-first57=Anthony |contributor-last57=Short |contributor-first58=Ben |contributor-last58=Slivka |contributor-first59=Jon |contributor-last59=Smirl |contributor-first60=Betty |contributor-last60=Stillmaker |contributor-first61=John |contributor-last61=Stoddard |contributor-first62=Dennis |contributor-last62=Tillman |contributor-first63=Greg |contributor-last63=Whitten |contributor-first64=Natalie |contributor-last64=Yount |contributor-first65=Steve |contributor-last65=Zeck |date=1988 |edition=Completely reworked |publisher=[[Microsoft Press]] |location=Redmond, Washington, USA |isbn=1-55615-049-0 |lccn=87-21452 |oclc=16581341}} (xix+1570 pages; 26&nbsp;cm) (NB. This edition was published in 1988 after extensive rework of the withdrawn 1986 first edition by a different team of authors. [https://www.pcjs.org/pubs/pc/reference/microsoft/mspl13/msdos/encyclopedia/])</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071028074338/http://oldfiles.org.uk/powerload/timeline.htm Detailed timeline of DOS variants]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161125115620/http://www.freedos.org/technotes/press/2000-drdos-hist.txt DR-DOS version dates]

{{Disk operating systems}}

[[Category:DOS on IBM PC compatibles| Comparison of DOS]]
[[Category:Operating system comparisons|DOS]]