How does Windows identify 16 bit apps

SoWhatDontMater · 04 Oct 2016

My question is: how do I make windows run a program when it knows its a 16 bit app on a 64 bit PC.
I know it reads the exe pe header, but instead of displaying the "This app cant't run on your PC" banner. I would like it to load another program - like in the attached picture.

How does Windows identify 16 bit apps-image.png

It's more of a curiosity, because all I have to do is right click the mouse button. (its Win311/DosBox)
I've tried to copy the ntvdm files & registery entries from Win10 x32 to Win10 x64, but it completly ignores them ;(

P.S. I dont want to associate all the .exe files with another program before I run them. That's just like a really inefficient virus.

LMiller7 · 04 Oct 2016

There is no way a 64 bit OS can run 16 bit software outside some kind of virtual machine, such as DosBox. Essentially a 64 bit CPU has 2 operating modes, 64 bit and 32 bit, plus a few not relevant to the situation. A 64 bit OS must run in 64 bit mode where it can run either 64 or 32 bit software, but not 16 bit. In 32 bit mode, for a 32 bit OS, it can run either 32 or 16 bit software.

I don't know how to do what you want. It may require third party software.

Berton · 04 Oct 2016

I probably would fire up my 80386-40MHz or 80486-25OD75 computer to run the 16-bit programs.

SoWhatDontMater · 05 Oct 2016

Berton said:

80486-25OD75

I had one of those, I think it was a Cyrix

swarfega · 05 Oct 2016

I had the Intel 486. I think my 386 was Cyrix.

jimbo45 · 06 Oct 2016

LMiller7 said:

There is no way a 64 bit OS can run 16 bit software outside some kind of virtual machine, such as DosBox. Essentially a 64 bit CPU has 2 operating modes, 64 bit and 32 bit, plus a few not relevant to the situation. A 64 bit OS must run in 64 bit mode where it can run either 64 or 32 bit software, but not 16 bit. In 32 bit mode, for a 32 bit OS, it can run either 32 or 16 bit software.

I don't know how to do what you want. It may require third party software.

Hi there

If you want to run 16 bit software I suggest you run it in a VM -- you can install say Windows 98 as a Virtual machine easily enough -- there's a generic key on the Net just google for it.

If you can't find it it's here (released by Ms itself so not Pirated !!!).

VP9VV-VJW7Q-MHY6W-JK47R-M2KGJ

Keep the VM isolated from the Internet though -- the best way to do this if you have to share files with your Host Pc is simply to use HOST ONLY networking when creating the VM . It's usually in the config files.

You can use VMware player, or VBOX for creating a Virtual machine with FREE software or if you have W10 pro or enterprise you can use HYPER-V. Kari has excellent tutorials on creating Virtual machines using HYPER-V -look in the tutorial section.

In fact using a Virtual Machine is the recommended (and safest) way of using legacy hardware and software.

How does Windows identify 16 bit apps-w98.png

Cheers
jimbo

SoWhatDontMater · 06 Oct 2016

oh I think I figured it out... if anyone is interested.
I used the 16 bit setup in windows 64 bit option.....

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NtVdm64\X-LAST-FAILOVER]
"InternalName"="*"
"MappedExeName"="C:\\blaa-blaa-blaa\\DOSBox-Win31\\run-as-16bit.exe"
"ProductName"="*"
"ProductVersion"="*"
"CommandLine"="%m"

But it only worked with some .exe files (like NE). Not with .com. I have not done any detailed tests.