Prince of Persia gameplay from its MS-DOS release

Prince of Persia gameplay on MS-DOS, used to illustrate software for the platform DOSBox Staging runs. Screenshot credited to Jordan Mechner via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); this is not a DOSBox Staging capture.

DOSBox Staging

MS-DOS EMULATOR

DOSBox Staging

DOSBox Staging — a modern, actively developed continuation of DOSBox that focuses on maintainability, improved compatibility, and modern build/distribution practices for running MS‑DOS games and software on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Jump to download ↓Jump to setup guide ↓

MS-DOSPRIMARY SYSTEM

2010sPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why use DOSBox Staging?

Provides a contemporary, actively maintained fork of DOSBox with modern code hygiene, additional features (e.g., improved audio/video/plugin support and more configuration flexibility), official builds for major desktop platforms, and an up‑to‑date manual and downloadable release artifacts.

BEST FOR

Best for

Users who want a modern, well‑documented DOSBox build with official installers/packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux and an active upstream repository where issues and releases are published.

Gameplay from Prince of Persia on DOS.

The people behind DOSBox Staging

History and project status

DOSBox Staging is a community continuation of the original DOSBox project that emphasizes modern development practices and frequent releases. Development is hosted in a public GitHub repository where source, build instructions, and release notes are maintained. The project publishes official downloadable packages and a user manual for the latest release series. It is actively developed and uses CI workflows to produce platform binaries and documentation.

What DOSBox Staging supports

MS-DOS environment and x86 real‑mode/16-bit/DOS-era APIs
Windows (official installers/packages)
macOS (official builds)
Linux (distribution packages and official binaries)
Portable/command-line usage and configurable local dosbox.conf

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get DOSBox Staging

Official downloads and platform packages are published on the project's download page and via its GitHub releases. The project provides installers and binary packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux; source code and build instructions are available in the GitHub repository. Users must provide their own DOS software, games, and any required firmware/BIOS files — commercial files are not included.

Get DOSBox Staging ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

DOSBox Staging setup guide

Setup note: Practical setup notes specific to DOSBox Staging. These steps assume you will use the official downloads or build from source; they reference the project's manual and repository for exact, up‑to‑date options.

1) Choose an install method: For most users, download the official binary for your platform from the project's download page. Linux users can install the distribution package if available for their distro or download the provided x86_64 build. Advanced users may build from source using the official GitHub repository and follow the repository's build documentation for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
2) Read the official manual and getting‑started guide: Consult the Getting Started and manual pages published by the project to understand mounting, configuration, and command‑line options. The manual documents important settings (configuration files, machine types, DOS version setting, and audio/video options) and platform‑specific details.
3) Prepare your game or software files and mount them: Create a directory on the host with the DOS program or extract files from installers yourself. Do not expect any commercial installers or DRM to be provided by the emulator. Run DOSBox Staging and mount the host directory as a DOS drive using the mount command or by setting the mount in dosbox.conf or command line.
4) Configure dosbox.conf for your needs: Use the shipped sample configuration or a local dosbox.conf in your working directory. Common adjustments include CPU type/cycles, sound device selection, machine type, mapper and joystick settings, and display scaling. The project supports loading a local configuration via –working-dir so you can package a self‑contained setup.
5) Use command‑line options and shortcuts: Dosbox Staging accepts command‑line options to set individual configuration values, specify the working directory, or start a session with a particular path. This is useful for portable runs and for integrating with frontends.
6) Optional: build from source: If you need a custom build, clone the official GitHub repository and follow the repository's build documentation for the target platform. The repo includes build instructions and CI workflows as well as notes about optional dependencies and third‑party plugins.
7) Troubleshooting and updates: When encountering issues check the release notes and the repository's issues/discussions for known problems and fixes. Keep an eye on the official download/releases page for new versions and read the manual for configuration changes between releases.

Software reminder: DOSBox Staging does not include commercial games, BIOS, or firmware. Provide your own DOS software and any legally required BIOS/ROM files.

Sources and further reading

Release log

Selected releases and changes. The weekly emulation roundup covers the wider build log.

September 27, 2026 — September 27 nightly (Development build): Corrects horizontal pixel-panning direction in text mode and clarifies VGA draw-buffer behavior. Official release and source ↗ · Weekly roundup →