Microsoft Acquires 86-DOS
Microsoft purchased 86-DOS, originally known as QDOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System), from Seattle Computer Products. This acquisition laid the groundwork for what would become MS-DOS.
1980
1981
Release of MS-DOS 1.0
Microsoft released MS-DOS 1.0 for the IBM PC. It was a 16-bit operating system that provided a command-line interface and basic file management capabilities.
1982
MS-DOS 1.25
MS-DOS 1.25 was released, adding support for double-sided floppy disks and minor improvements to the command-line interface.
1983
MS-DOS 2.0
MS-DOS 2.0 introduced support for hard drives, hierarchical directories, and improved command-line utilities, significantly enhancing the operating system's capabilities.
1984
MS-DOS 3.0
MS-DOS 3.0 was released with support for high-density floppy disks and improved network capabilities, marking another step forward in the operating system's evolution.
1985
MS-DOS 3.1
MS-DOS 3.1 added support for networking, allowing PCs to connect to local area networks (LANs) and share resources more efficiently.
1986
MS-DOS 3.2
MS-DOS 3.2 was released, featuring support for 3.5-inch floppy disks, which were becoming increasingly popular at the time.
1987
MS-DOS 3.3
MS-DOS 3.3 introduced support for larger hard drives and improved memory management, further enhancing the operating system's functionality.
1988
MS-DOS 4.0
MS-DOS 4.0 was released with a graphical shell called DOS Shell, which provided a more user-friendly interface for file management.
1990
MS-DOS 4.01
MS-DOS 4.01 included bug fixes and performance improvements over the previous version, making it more stable and reliable.
1991
MS-DOS 5.0
MS-DOS 5.0 introduced a full-screen text editor, improved memory management, and the ability to load device drivers into upper memory, freeing up conventional memory for applications.
1993
MS-DOS 6.0
MS-DOS 6.0 added features such as disk compression (DoubleSpace), disk defragmentation, and improved backup utilities, making it a more comprehensive operating system.
1994
MS-DOS 6.22
MS-DOS 6.22 was the final standalone version of MS-DOS, featuring improved disk compression (DriveSpace) and other minor enhancements.
1995
Integration with Windows 95
With the release of Windows 95, MS-DOS was integrated into the Windows operating system, marking the beginning of the end for MS-DOS as a standalone product.
2000
MS-DOS in Windows ME
Windows ME was the last Microsoft operating system to include real-mode DOS, after which MS-DOS was fully integrated and no longer available as a standalone product.
2024
Legacy and Influence
As of 2024, Microsoft DOS remains an important part of computing history, influencing the development of modern operating systems and serving as a foundational technology for early personal computers.
