
As we continue to shape the landscape of technological innovation, we are excited to share pivotal moments of history with you. Today, in a unique partnership with IBM, Microsoft releasing the source code of MS-DOS 4.00 under the reputable MIT license.
The journey to this moment has been intriguing in its complexity. Microsoft paths crossed with IBM on several segments of DOS 4.0 development, resulting in a distinctive version called Multitasking DOS. Despite remaining relatively obscure, its story deserves recognition.
Microsoft exploration starts with Connor “Starfrost” Hyde, an esteemed English researcher who has been delving into the rich legacy of software. Amongst his discoveries, he unearthed previously unseen beta binaries of DOS 4.0. These intriguing finds were originally sent to Ray Ozzie, former Chief Technical Officer at Microsoft, during his tenure at Lotus. Simultaneously, Starfrost had been researching the link between DOS 4, MT-DOS, and the emergent OS/2, leading to his proposition to our Open Source Programs Office (OSPO) to open source the DOS 4 code.
Cornerstones of the internet community, Scott Hanselman and Jeff Sponaugle, have meticulously transformed these original disks and documents into digitized content for widespread accessibility. This so-called “Ozzie Drop” holds profound historical significance and we are proud to present it in conjunction with IBM.
Microsoft unveiling includes PDFs of the original documentation, disk images, and additional beta binaries. Jeff Wilcox and OSPO headed the deep-diving expedition into Microsoft Archives. Though the full code for MT-DOS eluded them, they fetched the next best prize - the MS DOS 4.00, which we are releasing today.
While the hunt continues for undiscovered relics, Microsoft shall keep adding to this repository. A special mention to software pioneers Greaseweazle, Fluxengine, Aaru Data Preservation Suite, and the HxC Floppy Emulator for their tremendous contribution towards digital archaeology. Most importantly, we extend our gratitude to the original creators of this code.
For those curious to employ this software, it has been successfully executed on an original IBM PC XT, a modern Pentium, and inside the open-source PCem and 86box emulators. Expand your horizons of understanding by venturing into a crucial era of software evolution. MS-DOS 4.0 presents an unmatched study of software design and the fundamental tenets of operating systems. The open sourcing of the MS-DOS code is yet another stride in the direction of transparency and shared knowledge.
Indeed, history has a way of shaping the future, and by looking back, we can navigate forward with even more insight and inspiration. We invite you to dig into this technological treasure trove as we continue to unlock the digital past for a more informed future. Happy exploring!
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