32 Bit DOS Extenders
Since DOS was developed in the beginning of the 1980s it has always been a 16 bit operating system. At that time there was no problem with that, since DOS could only run on 16 bit processors. Lately Intel introduced their 32 bit architecture but DOS was still stuck into 16 bit real mode for backward compatibility. This delayed a lot the proper usage of the 80286 and especially the 80386 processors. Here comes into business the DOS Extender. It creates a 32 bit environment for the program to run, giving access to some advanced features, mainly associated with the 32 bit mode of the processors. Most of the extenders today also emulate some of the common APIs of DOS and even extend them. Some of the DOS Extenders below go even further by providing more advanced features in their packages, such as: graphics, sound, device control, etc.
In order to run a program with a DOS Extender it has to be written, so it will take advantage of the extra features. Old programs that are not designed to run either in 32 bit mode or without a DOS extender need modifications in order to run them as such.

NameSizeDescriptionLicenseSource
WDX96A2F.ZIP 624KB WDOSX version 0.96alpha2, the best DOS Extender released so far. Supports EXE, COFF, PE, LE. Very powerful and is still being developed. Strongly recommended! FreewareYes
PMODE307.ZIP 53KB PMode version 3.07 by Tran. The best DOS Extender before WDOSX came out. Not so easy to use but allows a great degree of freedom. Freeware Yes
PRO32V17.ZIP 296KB Pro32 version 1.7, supports many assemblers and there is also assembler from the same author. Shareware No
EOS305.ZIP 1.48MB Eclipse Operating System version 3.05. DOS Extender similar to DOS32 but more powerful. Including several examples, well documented and easy to use. Recommended for new to DOS Extender programming. Shareware No
DOS32B35.ZIP 463KB DOS32 version 3.5beta, quite good DOS extender including its own linker and many examples. Easy to use. Not developed anymore. Shareware No
DOS32V33.ZIP 332KB DOS32 version 3.3, older version of DOS32 but it's a final. The package is similar to version 3.5. Not Developed any more. Shareware No
386P_200.ZIP 307KB 386Power + part of XGE (eXtended Game Engine). Freeware Yes
RAW32.ZIP 45KB This is a very basic DOS Extender based on early version of Tran's PMode and DOS32. Includes full source code and few examples. Freeware Yes
Freeware - The extender can be used for any purposes, i.e. commercial and non-commercial.
Shareware - The extender can be used freely for non-commercial purposes only.

Please refer to the license agreement contained within the package for additional details and information.

Links to the web sites of the various DOS Extenders:
Wuschel's WDOSX
Pass 32 homepage

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