How to Install MS-DOS 6.22 on 86Box

Introduction
MS-DOS 6.22 is a classic operating system from Microsoft, widely used in the 1990s. If you want to relive the DOS era using **86Box**, a powerful emulator for vintage PCs, this guide will take you through the steps to install MS-DOS 6.22 from scratch.

Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure you have the following:
– **86Box and 86Box Manager** installed ([Download here].
– A **set of MS-DOS 6.22 floppy disk images** (typically three disk files: **setup disk, disk 2, and disk 3**).
– A basic understanding of navigating DOS commands (optional but helpful).

Step 1: Configuring 86Box
1. **Open 86Box Manager** and click **Add** to create a new virtual machine.
2. **Select a machine type** that matches your desired era (e.g., a 486 or early Pentium PC).
3. **Configure hardware settings**:
– Allocate **16-32MB RAM** (MS-DOS does not require much memory).
– Select a **hard drive** (e.g., 500MB-2GB IDE hard disk) under the **Drives** section.
– Add a **1.44MB floppy drive** if not already present.
– Ensure a **VGA-compatible graphics card** is selected.
4. Click **OK** to save settings.

Step 2: Preparing the Boot Disk
1. **Start the virtual machine** in 86Box.
2. Go to **Tools > Floppy Drive 1 > Insert Disk Image** and select the **MS-DOS 6.22 Setup Disk 1**.
3. Restart the virtual machine so it boots from the floppy.

Step 3: Installing MS-DOS 6.22
1. When prompted, press **Enter** to begin the setup.
2. Choose a partition:
– If prompted, allow setup to create a **DOS partition** on your hard drive.
– The system will restart automatically after creating the partition.
3. Once rebooted, return to **Tools > Floppy Drive 1** and reinsert **Disk 1** to continue setup.

4. Follow the on-screen prompts:
– Confirm installation settings.
– When prompted, **switch floppy disks** (Disk 2, then Disk 3) using the same method (**Tools > Floppy Drive 1 > Insert Disk Image**).
– Setup will copy files and complete the installation.
5. Once finished, remove all floppy disks and restart the system.

Step 4: Booting into MS-DOS
– After rebooting, your virtual machine should load MS-DOS 6.22.
– You should see the familiar **C:\>** prompt.

Additional Tips
– Install additional drivers (e.g., **CD-ROM, mouse, and sound drivers**) for better functionality.
– Type `HELP` for a list of available MS-DOS commands.
– If using older software or games, consider adjusting system memory settings via **CONFIG.SYS** and **AUTOEXEC.BAT**.

Conclusion
You have successfully installed **MS-DOS 6.22 on 86Box**! This setup allows you to experience vintage computing, run classic software, or experiment with DOS applications. Enjoy your retro journey!