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90 lines
4.9 KiB
Markdown
90 lines
4.9 KiB
Markdown
---
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layout: index
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title: "Emulator of retro x86-based machines"
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---
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**86Box** is a low level x86 emulator that runs older operating systems and software designed for IBM PC systems and compatibles from 1981 through fairly recent system designs based on the PCI bus.
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Features
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--------
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* Easy to use interface inspired by mainstream hypervisor software
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* Low level emulation of 8086-based processors up to the Pentium with focus on accuracy
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* Great range of customizability of virtual machines
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* Many available systems, such as the very first IBM PC 5150 from 1981, or the more obscure IBM PS/2 line of systems based on the Micro Channel Architecture
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* Lots of supported peripherals including video adapters, sound cards, network adapters, hard disk controllers, and SCSI adapters
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* MIDI output to Windows built-in MIDI support, FluidSynth, or emulated Roland synthesizers
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* Supports running MS-DOS, older Windows versions, OS/2, many Linux distributions, or vintage systems such as BeOS or NEXTSTEP, and applications for these systems
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Downloads
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---------
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The latest stable version of 86Box is **v5.3**, which was released on December 21, 2025, and is available from our [GitHub repository](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/latest).
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We also offer [experimental builds](/builds), which are built from the latest source code, but may not be as stable and/or performant as release builds.
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Minimum system requirements and recommendations
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-----------------------------------------------
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* Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 processor or newer
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* At least 4 GB of RAM or higher
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* **Windows version:** Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or later
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* **Linux version:** Ubuntu 16.04, Debian 9.0 or other distributions from 2016 onwards
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* **macOS version:** macOS 10.13 High Sierra or newer
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Performance may vary depending on host and guest configuration. Most emulation logic is executed in a single thread. Therefore, systems with greater IPC (instructions per clock) capacity should be able to emulate higher clock speeds.
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For easier handling of multiple virtual machines, we recommend using a manager application:
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* [Avalonia 86](https://github.com/notBald/Avalonia86) by [notBald](https://github.com/notBald) (Windows and Linux)
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* [86Box Manager X](https://github.com/RetBox/86BoxManagerX) by [xafero](https://github.com/xafero) (Cross platform Port of 86Box Manager using Avalonia)
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* [sl86](https://github.com/DDXofficial/sl86) by [DDX](https://github.com/DDXofficial) (Command-line 86Box machine manager written in Python)
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* [Linbox-qt5](https://github.com/Dungeonseeker/linbox-qt5) by [Dungeonseeker](https://github.com/Dungeonseeker/) (Linux focused, should work on Windows though untested)
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* [MacBox for 86Box](https://github.com/Moonif/MacBox) by [Moonif](https://github.com/Moonif) (macOS only)
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**NEW:** 86Box 5.0 introduces a new built-in virtual machine manager as a preview! Try it out by launching the 86Box executable directly with no command line arguments. We look forward to hearing your feedback!
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To use 86Box on its own, bypassing the manager, use the `-P`/`--vmpath` command line option. See the help (`-?` option) for more details.
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Getting started
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---------------
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See [our documentation](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html) for an overview of the emulator's features and user interface.
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<a name="social" />Get in touch
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-------------------------------
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You can reach us on our IRC channel, Discord server or Twitter to discuss anything related to retro computing and, of course, 86Box. We look forward to hearing from you!
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<div id="socialnew" markdown="block">
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[](https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.86box.net/?nick=website?#86Box)
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[](https://discord.gg/v5fCgFw)
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</div><div id="socialold" markdown="block">
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Visit our IRC channel with an [installed IRC client](irc://irc.86box.net/#86Box) or the [CGI:IRC web client](http://irc.86box.net).
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</div>
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[Forum: SoftHistory](https://forum.softhistory.org/)
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[Wiki: SoftHistory](https://wiki.softhistory.org/)
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[Twitter: @86BoxEmulator](https://twitter.com/86BoxEmulator)
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[YouTube: 86Box](https://youtube.com/c/86Box)
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Licensing
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---------
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86Box is released under the [GNU General Public License, version 2](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html) or later. For more information, see the `COPYING` file in the root of the repository.
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The emulator can also optionally make use of [munt](https://github.com/munt/munt), [FluidSynth](https://www.fluidsynth.org/), [Ghostscript](https://www.ghostscript.com/) and [Discord Game SDK](https://discord.com/developers/docs/game-sdk/sdk-starter-guide), which are distributed under their respective licenses.
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Donations
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---------
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We do not charge you for the emulator but [donations](https://paypal.me/86Box) are still welcome. You can also support the project on [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/86box).
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