MSDOS.SYS File
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The MSDOS.SYS file is a hidden, system, read-only file created on the root of the boot drive.
There are several boot configurations that can be changed using this file.
To edit it, remove the attributes (ATTRIB -h -s -r MSDOS.SYS)
Then use text editor to make any changes.
Most values either require a 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled)
Most of the common options are listed below. |
Entry | Description |
| [Paths] Section |
| HostWinBootDrv=C | Location of the Boot Drive Root Directory |
| WinBootDir= | Location of necessary startup files |
| WinDir= | Location of the Windows95 Directory |
| [Options] Section |
| BootMulti= | Allows booting to previous operating system. The default is 0. Setting this to 1 allows you to press F4 to start your previous version of DOS or F8 to use th Windows Startup Menu. |
| BootDelay=n | This sets the initial delay to n seconds before starting Windows95. This is to give you enough time to press the F4 or F8 keys. The default is 2 seconds. |
| BootMenu= | Enables the automatic display of the Windows95 Startup menu. The default is 0 so that you need to press F8 on bootup to see the Start menu. Changing it to 1 will always bring up the Start menu. |
| BootMenuDefault=# | This sets the default menu item for the Windows95 Startup menu. |
| BootMenuDelay=# | This sets the number of seconds to show the Windows95 Startup menu before running the default menu item (see previous item). The default is 30 seconds. |
| BootKeys= | This enables the startup option keys (F5, F6, F8). The default setting is 1. Setting this to 0 prevents any startup keys from functioning. |
| BootGUI= | This enables the automatic graphical startup into Windows95. The default is 1. Setting this to 0 will boot you to a DOS prompt. You can then type "WIN" to start Windows95. |
| Logo= | Enables display of the Windows95 animated logo. The default setting is 1. |
| BootWarn= | Enables starting in Safe Mode without a warning. The default is 1. |
| DoubleBuffer= | Enables loading of a double-buffering driver for a SCSI controller, if required. The default setting is 0. |
| Network= | Enables Safe Mode with Networking as a menu option. The default is 1 for computers with networking installed. |
| AutoScan= | For OEM SR2 only. After a bad shutdown, Windows95 will start ScanDisk.
AutoScan=0 will disable this feature
AutoScan=1 will stop and prompt you before starting ScanDisk. After 1 minute it will start automatically. This is the default setting
AutoScan=2 will start ScanDisk if needed automatically |