How to install Windows 95 in DOSBox

This is a tutorial for installing and running Windows 95 in DOSBox.


1. Preparing the disk images

First, you will need an MS-DOS 6.22 boot disk. You can download it from here:
http://www.oldgames.sk/en/game/ms-dos/download/1813/

Next, you will need an HDD image. I have prepared a blank 504MB image that is formatted and ready to use in DOSBox. You can download it from here:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/k23sfphief98035/Blank+504MB+HDD+image+for+DOSBox.zip

You will also need a copy of the Windows 95 CD-ROM. We will be copying the setup files from it to the HDD image. You can use a physical disc or download an ISO from the internet.


2. Preparing DOSBox

Start DOSBox. Mount a drive letter such as Y (We need to keep A and C free for the floppy and HDD images) to the folder where your .img files are, and use IMGMOUNT to mount them.

Type "imgmount a 622c.img -t floppy" to mount the MS-DOS 6.22 image as drive A:.

Type "imgmount c c.img" to mount the blank HDD image as drive C:.

Go to drive C:, then type "md win95". This will create the folder we will be copying the Windows 95 setup files to.

Mount your Windows 95 disc or ISO to a drive letter such as X. Go to this drive, change to the Win95 folder with "cd win95" and type "copy *.* c:\win95\*.*". This will copy the setup files to the HDD image.


3. Installing Windows 95

When all of the setup files have been copied to the HDD image, type "boot -l a" to boot into MS-DOS 6.22.

When it's loaded, go to drive C:, type "cd win95" then run "setup /is". If everything worked properly, you should be in the Windows 95 setup program. Now just install it as normal.

When it's installed, it will ask you to restart, and DOSBox will quit. Just start it again, IMGMOUNT the HDD image, and type "boot -l c" to finish the setup.

DOSBox will quit one more time after that. Run it again, mount the HDD and type "boot -l c". After that, Windows 95 should start.

Done. Have fun using Windows 95 in DOSBox!


Extras:

Using a second HDD image for extra space

Since DOSBox has a limit of 504MB for HDD images, you can use a second image to get some extra space. Just make a copy of the blank HDD image and mount it as drive D:. You will then be able to use both HDD images for storing your data.


Installing Gravis Ultrasound drivers in Windows 95

It's possible to install Gravis Ultrasound drivers in Windows 95 for MIDI playback. I have a video tutorial for it which you can find here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-0oCH3Zxog


Troubleshooting:

If Windows fails to install properly due to errors, try lowering the CPU cycles in DOSBox.

If you experience graphical glitches, try starting in safe mode and disabling the display adapter in device manager.