How to run DOS programs on Linux

Legacy DOS games and utilities preserve workflows, data formats, and experiences that remain valuable long after their original platforms have disappeared. Running these programs on Linux keeps them accessible without relying on aging hardware or outdated operating systems. Emulation provides a controlled environment where original binaries function as intended.

DOSBox emulates a complete MS-DOS era PC, including CPU, graphics, sound, and input devices, inside a window on the Linux desktop. Programs execute inside a virtual C: drive that maps to real directories on disk, which keeps installation files, saves, and configuration in predictable locations. Mount commands associate host directories with virtual drives so multiple games can share the same base folder.

Most DOS software assumes a single-tasking environment and specific directory layouts, so incorrect mounts or paths frequently produce cryptic errors or simply exit. Consistent directory structure and clear separation of game data simplify troubleshooting and backup. The commands below target Ubuntu and Debian systems that use APT; other Linux distributions follow the same pattern while substituting their own package managers.

1. Download the desired DOS program archive from a trusted source.

   Related: Abandonware DOS

2. Open a terminal on the Linux system.
3. Create a dedicated directory in the home folder to store DOS games.

   $ mkdir -p ~/dosgames
   $ ls -ld ~/dosgames
   drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Jan 14 08:32 /home/user/dosgames

4. Extract the downloaded DOS program archive into the game directory.

   $ cd ~/Downloads
   $ unzip -d ~/dosgames Golden\ Axe.zip
   Archive:  Golden Axe.zip
    extracting: /home/user/dosgames/A   
    extracting: /home/user/dosgames/AMAZON.SPR  
    extracting: /home/user/dosgames/_DOSGAME.TXT  
      creating: /home/user/dosgames/GOLD/
     inflating: /home/user/dosgames/GOLD/gold.asm  
    extracting: /home/user/dosgames/GOLD/GOLD.COM  

5. Install DOSBox using the APT package manager on Ubuntu or Debian.

   $ sudo apt update && sudo apt install --assume-yes dosbox
   WARNING: apt does not have a stable CLI interface. Use with caution in scripts.
   Hit:1 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports noble InRelease
   Hit:2 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports noble-updates InRelease
   Hit:3 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports noble-backports InRelease
   Hit:4 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports noble-security InRelease
   Reading package lists...
   Building dependency tree...
   Reading state information...
   ##### snipped #####
   Setting up dosbox (0.74-3-5build2) ...
   Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.17-2) ...

6. Start DOSBox from the terminal.

   $ dosbox
   DOSBox version 0.74-3
   Copyright 2002-2019 DOSBox Team, published under GNU GPL.
   ---
   ALSA lib confmisc.c:855:(parse_card) cannot find card '0'
   ALSA lib conf.c:5204:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_card_inum returned error: No such file or directory
   ALSA lib confmisc.c:422:(snd_func_concat) error evaluating strings
   ALSA lib conf.c:5204:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_concat returned error: No such file or directory
   ALSA lib confmisc.c:1342:(snd_func_refer) error evaluating name
   ALSA lib conf.c:5204:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_refer returned error: No such file or directory
   ALSA lib conf.c:5727:(snd_config_expand) Evaluate error: No such file or directory
   ALSA lib pcm.c:2721:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM default
   ALSA lib seq_hw.c:528:(snd_seq_hw_open) open /dev/snd/seq failed: No such file or directory
   CONFIG: Generating default configuration.
   Writing it to /home/user/.dosbox/dosbox-0.74-3.conf
   CONFIG:Loading primary settings from config file /home/user/.dosbox/dosbox-0.74-3.conf
   MIXER:Can't open audio: ALSA: Couldn't open audio device: No such file or directory , running in nosound mode.
   ALSA:Can't open sequencer
   MIDI:Opened device:none

7. Mount the game directory as virtual drive C: inside DOSBox.

   Z:\>mount c /home/user/dosgames
   Z:\>c:
   C:\>dir

   Output appears in the DOSBox window.

8. Change to the extracted game directory on drive C: and list executable files.

   C:\>cd GOLD
   C:\GOLD>dir *.COM

   Output appears in the DOSBox window.

9. Run the main game executable inside DOSBox.

   C:\GOLD>GOLD.COM
   ##### snipped #####

   

10. Append mount commands to the DOSBox configuration so the game directory mounts automatically on startup.

    ///home/user//.dosbox/dosbox-0.74-3.conf
    [autoexec]
    mount c /home/user/dosgames
    c:

    The [autoexec] section runs commands automatically when DOSBox starts, which keeps drive mappings consistent across sessions.

11. Confirm that the DOS program opens in its window and responds to keyboard input without mount errors in the DOSBox console.