MS-DOS 6

MS-DOS 6
	Version of MS-DOS
	MS-DOS 6.22
Version	6.x
Codename	Astro
Release date	1993-03
Replaces
	MS-DOS 5
Replaced by
	MS-DOS 7

MS-DOS 6 is a family of versions of MS-DOS, initially released in March 1993, with updates being released until June 1994.

MS-DOS 6.00[edit | edit source]

MS-DOS 6.00 was released in 1993. This version included many new utilities and features:

Disk defragmenter
Disk compression
Anti-virus (MSAV and MWAV)
A new backup system
PC-PC file transfer tools

It was heavily criticized as buggy by the press, primarily due to file corruption issues with DoubleSpace (disk compression utility based on Vertisoft's DoubleDisk) and the lack of tools to repair such issues.^[1]

List of known builds[edit | edit source]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Boot
VER command
COMMAND.COM
$Directory of C:\$

Directory of C:\
Find (AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS)
CHKDSK (Check disk)
MEM (Check memory)
FDISK (Fixed disk program)
MS-DOS Editor
Ditto (README.TXT)
About MS-DOS Editor
Microsoft QBasic
VSafe successfully installed
VSafe warning
Microsoft Anti-Virus
Microsoft Backup 6.0
About Microsoft Backup 6.0
UNINSTALL.EXE – insert UNINSTALL #2 disk

Setup[edit | edit source]

Starting MS-DOS screen
Welcome to setup
Disk space configuration
Insert disk #1
Formatting
System configuration
Installation path
Insert disk #2
Insert disk #3
Remove disks
Setup complete

MS-DOS 6.20[edit | edit source]

MS-DOS 6.20 was released in November 1993. Microsoft skipped the 6.10 version number as a marketing response to IBM PC-DOS 6.10, which was released at the same timeframe. After complaints from users about data loss, DoubleSpace was finalized. The SCANDISK program has been added, and DISKCOPY and SmartDrive have been improved.

List of known builds[edit | edit source]

Build list legend

Available build

Confirmed build

Unconfirmed build

Fake build

Existing page
Non-existent page

Japanese variant[edit | edit source]

MS-DOS 6.2/V Beta 2

MS-DOS 6.2/V

Gallery[edit | edit source]

PC/AT[edit | edit source]

Welcome to setup
Copying files
Setup complete
Default shell
Bad command or file name
CHKDSK command
MEM command
HELP command
HELP WHATSNEW
DoubleSpace
Diagnostics
Defrag
Anti-Virus
Backup

PC-98[edit | edit source]

Setup
Initialize drive
Specify directory
Copying files
CONFIG.SYS
MS-DOS Shell
ver /r command

FM TOWNS[edit | edit source]

DOS with ver /r command

MS-DOS 6.21[edit | edit source]

MS-DOS 6.21 was released in March 1994 specifically to remove DoubleSpace due to legal injunction by Stac Electronics over the use of Stacker code in DoubleSpace; during the interim period, the replacement software, DriveSpace was not yet ready.^[2]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Welcome to setup
Installation path
System configuration
Insert disk #2
Insert disk #3
Remove all disks
End of setup
DOS with ver command

MS-DOS 6.22[edit | edit source]

MS-DOS 6.22 was generally available in June 1994, three months after 6.21. MS-DOS 6.22 shipped with "Enhanced Tools", including a disk compression tool known as DriveSpace, which was free from Stacker code. An included supplemental disk also ships with copies of tools dropped from the previous version of MS-DOS, which includes the DOS Shell and EDLIN.