This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them

Period

–Visits

–Page views

–Clicks to vendors

–Time on page

–Reading now

Clicks to vendors, by tool

Top countries

Devices

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

DOSVisor

Free#24 of 26 in MS-DOS Emulators

DOSVisor: A focused, free Windows emulator for basic 16-bit DOS execution. Ranked #24 of 26 in MS-DOS Emulators by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for basic 16-bit DOS execution on Windows.

6.0/10Editor score

Visit DOSVisor

DOSVisor6.0 Visit DOSVisor

At a glance

Editor score
6.0 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Basic 16-bit DOS execution on Windows
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Supported host platforms
windows
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Uses Windows Hypervisor Platform for 16-bit real-mode execution
- Emulates DOS interrupts, I/O ports, BIOS, timers, and keyboard input
- Free, open-source Windows software with basic terminal support
Where it doesn't
- Supports only minimal DOS functionality
- Focused on basic terminal-style programs
- Does not target broad legacy software compatibility

Our verdict on DOSVisor

DOSVisor is an experimental MS-DOS emulator for modern Windows systems. It uses the Windows Hypervisor Platform to create a virtual CPU and execute 16-bit real-mode programs. Its intended audience is developers, learners, and users who need basic DOS execution or want to examine a focused WHP demonstration. The implementation targets MS-DOS and includes selected DOS services, interrupts, I/O ports, timers, keyboard input, and terminal commands. It is a narrow tool for basic terminal-style workloads rather than a general-purpose environment for broad legacy software compatibility.

Its main strength is the low-level execution path. The Windows Hypervisor Platform provides the virtual CPU, while DOS interrupt handling and I/O port emulation supply selected DOS behavior. BIOS, RTC, and system-clock timer emulation add important system-level elements, and keyboard state monitoring with key buffering supports interactive input. Together, these features make DOSVisor a useful fit for examining how a small emulator handles real-mode execution and core DOS interactions. The free plan and open-source status also make it accessible for users seeking a focused Windows project rather than a commercial compatibility suite.

The trade-off is scope. DOSVisor is described as a demonstration with minimal DOS functionality, and its verified behavior is limited to basic terminal-style support and a few sample programs. Choose it for simple MS-DOS execution, emulator experimentation, or learning around the Windows Hypervisor Platform. Choose an alternative when you need wider application compatibility, a mature DOS environment, or support beyond Windows. Its value comes from a constrained implementation that exposes the essential execution pieces without presenting itself as a complete emulator.

Your product? Our editors can test DOSVisor in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

DOSVisor pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

DOSVisor fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported host platforms	windows
DOS target versions	Ms-dos
Disk image formats	Not verified
Gamepad support	Not verified
Save states	Not verified
Audio CD support	Not verified
Source available	Yes
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	github.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to DOSVisor

See all DOSVisor alternatives →

Used DOSVisor? 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 DOSVisor 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.

Title

Your review

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

Pros (optional · one per line)

Cons (optional · one per line)

Your name (shown with your review)

Role (optional)

Company (optional)

How long have you used it?

I've used DOSVisor myself and this is my honest opinion — nobody paid or asked me to write it.

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

Featured on iTechGuides

DOSVisor 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/dosvisor/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/dosvisor.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update