Editing Windows 9x (section)

====MS-DOS Mode====
Windows 95 and Windows 98 also offer backwards compatibility for DOS applications in the form of being able to boot into a native "DOS Mode" (MS-DOS can be booted without booting Windows, but not putting the CPU in protected mode). Through Windows 9x's memory managers and other post-DOS improvements, the overall system performance and functionality is improved. Some old applications or games may not run properly in the virtual DOS environment within Windows and require real DOS Mode.

Having a command line mode outside of the GUI also offers the ability to fix certain system errors without entering the GUI. For example, if a virus is active in GUI mode it can often be safely removed in DOS mode, by deleting its files, which are usually locked while infected in Windows. Similarly, corrupted registry files, system files or boot files can be restored from real mode DOS. Windows 95 and Windows 98 can be started from DOS Mode by typing <code>'WIN'</code> at the command prompt and then hitting "Enter", akin to earlier versions of Windows such as Windows 3.1.