# Win 95/98--start up in DOS?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-95-98-start-up-in-dos/72387>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 13, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-95-98-start-up-in-dos/72387 "2001-07-13T16:29:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-95-98-start-up-in-dos/72387/1 "2001-07-13T16:29:16Z")

</div>

Is there any way to start Windows 95 or 98 in DOS mode without booting the whole system up, then shutting down and choosing “Restart in MS-DOS mode?”

I made a floppy with all the system files on it, but that’s sort of annoying and I swear I remembered that there was a way to do it…

Thanks in advance, one way or the other.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-95-98-start-up-in-dos/72387/2 "2001-07-13T16:41:31Z")

</div>

When the system boots, hit [F8}. You will be prompted with a menu. Select “Command Prompt Only”.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-95-98-start-up-in-dos/72387/3 "2001-07-13T16:51:57Z")

</div>

Awesome…thanks.