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In a move that celebrates computing history, Microsoft has released the source code for MS-DOS 4.0, a 36-year-old operating system that formed the backbone of early PCs. This 1988 release brought notable upgrades, including support for larger hard drive partitions (up to 2 GB).
Historical Significance
While MS-DOS 4.0 has limited modern-day use, its open-source status helps preserve a crucial piece of tech evolution. This version was even intended as a multitasking OS but remained mostly obscure due to shifts within IBM. Later MS-DOS iterations (like 5.0 and 6.22) and modern projects like FreeDOS remain more relevant for retro computing.
Past and Future Releases
Microsoft previously released the code for early MS-DOS versions. This latest source drop fuels speculation about the potential open-sourcing of early Windows versions, such as the landmark Windows 3.0. Such a move would be a fascinating look back at the foundations of modern computing.
