Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

DOSBox Optionals

Free#10 of 26 in MS-DOS Emulators

DOSBox Optionals: A free Windows DOSBox fork with broad image, graphics, audio, and joystick support. Ranked #10 of 26 in MS-DOS Emulators by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for windows users wanting enhanced DOSBox features.

6.5/10Editor score
Get DOSBox Optionals
DOSBox Optionals6.5 Get DOSBox Optionals

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.5 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Windows users wanting enhanced DOSBox features
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Supported host platforms
    Windows
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
DOSBox Optionals screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Supports MS-DOS, Windows 95, and Windows 98 emulation
    • Mounts hard-disk, floppy, and CD-ROM images, including MAME CHD
    • Adds shaders, extended 3DFX, multi-monitor, audio, and joystick support

  • Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only platform coverage
    • No AI features
    • Its focus is limited to DOS and Windows 9x software

Our verdict on DOSBox Optionals

DOSBox Optionals is a Windows-targeted DOSBox fork for running MS-DOS, Windows 95, and Windows 98 software. It suits Windows users who want a standalone DOSBox executable with more display, storage-image, audio, and controller options than a basic emulator setup. The project publishes Windows releases and source code through GitHub, and the offering is free.

Its strongest area is breadth within the DOSBox use case. Video options include SDL 2, OpenGL, and OpenGL 3 backends, along with shader support, extended 3DFX support, and multi-monitor support. Storage handling covers hard-disk, floppy, and CD-ROM images, CDR-WIN CUE sheets, and MAME CHD support for CD-ROM images. Multiple sound backends, audio decoding, CD audio support, and joystick support with up to 10 buttons give it useful coverage for older games and software with varied hardware requirements.

The main trade-off is platform scope: DOSBox Optionals is built for Windows, so it is a narrower choice for anyone seeking a multi-platform emulator. Its focus is also specific to MS-DOS and Windows 9x software rather than newer operating systems. Choose it if you want enhanced DOSBox capabilities on Windows, especially for image-based software, 3DFX-era graphics, multi-monitor output, or configurable audio and joystick support. Choose an alternative if running the same workloads outside Windows is essential.

DOSBox Optionals pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on github.com

DOSBox Optionals fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Supported host platformsWindows
DOS target versionsMs-dos
Disk image formatshard disk images, floppy images, CD-ROM images, CDR-WIN CUE sheets, MAME CHD
Gamepad supportYes
Save statesNot verified
Audio CD supportYes
Source availableYes
DeploymentDesktop
PlatformsWindows
SupportCommunity
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websitegithub.com
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to DOSBox Optionals

See all DOSBox Optionals alternatives →

Used DOSBox Optionals? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used DOSBox Optionals for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Your rating

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — DOSBox Optionals 6.5/10

DOSBox Optionals is listed in our MS-DOS Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/dosbox-optionals/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/dosbox-optionals.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Last updated · How we research and update