86Box is a low-level x86 emulator that runs older operating systems and software designed for IBM PC systems and compatibles from 1981 onwards.
The emulator addresses the need to preserve and run legacy x86-based systems by providing accurate processor emulation from 8086-based chips through Mendocino-era Celeron processors. It achieves this through low-level emulation focused on accuracy, supporting a wide range of IBM PC models including the original 5150 and obscure Micro Channel Architecture systems. The tool includes extensive peripheral support for video adapters, sound cards, network adapters, disk controllers, and SCSI adapters, along with MIDI output capabilities to Windows MIDI, FluidSynth, or emulated Roland synthesizers.
The project suits developers and enthusiasts who need to run vintage operating systems like MS-DOS, older Windows versions, OS/2, BeOS, or NEXTSTEP, or who want to preserve and test applications built for these platforms. It offers substantial customizability for virtual machine configuration and an interface modeled after mainstream hypervisor software. The tool runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with minimum requirements of a 64-bit processor and 4 GB of RAM. For managing multiple virtual machines, several third-party manager applications are available across different platforms.
The project actively solicits contributions and maintains community engagement through IRC, Discord, forums, and social media channels. Most emulation logic executes in a single thread, making processor performance with high instructions-per-clock capacity important for achieving higher emulated clock speeds.
