A large NUMBER of web sites claim they have for download this:
MS-DOS-7.1.zip
When you stat the download, you will get a message for Microsoft Security Essentials STATS that a THREAT has been blocked.

That collection of MS-DOS programs in not distributed nor endorsed by Microsoft. It is an independent endeavor to promote use of MS-DOS 7.1 as a 'free' dos for any PC. In fact, MS-DOS is copyright by Microsoft. Yes, they not longer support it, but it is still MS property.

That does not mean you can not use MS-DOS for your own entertainment. You can get a legal copy of MS-DOS from dealers who bought up surplus Windows 98SE CDs ears back. Maybe you have one in your own collection.

Also, you can put MS-DOS on a USB stick. If you are legal owner of a Windows 98 CD with product KEY, you can use one copy on one computer. But you can not upload nit sell it or even give it to ANYBODY else. Not even your Grandmother.

Now, is that what you understand?



I have had success with FreeDOS in situations where you want to implement a system running DOS but dont want to break the law using duplicates of an original DOS set etc. I was introduced to FreeDOS a while back when a college professor wanted to cover DOS, but didnt want to work in the Windows Shell but strictly DOS.

There is no need of DOS 7.1 with FreeDOS that I can think of: http://www.freedos.org/DaveLembke,
I am with you. No need to break the law. There are some things you want to do with DOS and not Linux. You may need to run diagnostics under DOS that use the MS API.
So, can you really run programs written for MS-DOS inside of FreeDOS? Many such programs are GPL or pubic domain. But the issue is getting a good DOS that will act like the MS DOS.
And what about using expounded memory? Does it work? In MS-DOS your had EMM386. Does FreeDOS have an equivalent?