# 86Box

> PC emulator

**Wikidata**: [Q107214939](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107214939)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/86Box)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/86box

## Summary
86Box is a PC emulator designed to replicate various PC hardware environments. It is distributed as free software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and modified versions.

## Key Facts
*   86Box is a PC emulator and a DOS emulator.
*   It is free software, licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.
*   86Box runs on Microsoft Windows and macOS operating systems.
*   Its source code is publicly available on GitHub.
*   The official website for 86Box is 86box.net.
*   As of February 16, 2022, version 3.2 was released.
*   It maintains an active presence on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Patreon.

## FAQs
### Q: What is 86Box?
A: 86Box is a PC emulator that allows users to replicate various PC hardware environments. It is also classified as a DOS emulator and is distributed as free software.

### Q: What operating systems does 86Box run on?
A: 86Box runs on Microsoft Windows and macOS.

### Q: What is the license for 86Box?
A: 86Box is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, which classifies it as free software.

### Q: Where can I find the source code for 86Box?
A: The source code for 86Box is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/86Box/86Box.

### Q: What is the latest version of 86Box mentioned in the provided data?
A: The latest version mentioned is 3.2, which was released on February 16, 2022.

## Why It Matters
86Box plays a crucial role in digital preservation and accessibility by enabling the emulation of older PC hardware environments. This allows users to run vintage operating systems, software, and games that might otherwise be incompatible with modern hardware, thereby preserving digital heritage and providing access to historical computing experiences. As free software, 86Box promotes open collaboration and community involvement, making powerful emulation tools accessible without proprietary restrictions. Its ability to run on common operating systems like Windows and macOS ensures broad usability, making it a valuable tool for enthusiasts, developers, and researchers interested in retrocomputing or testing legacy applications.

## Notable For
*   Being a comprehensive PC emulator capable of replicating various PC hardware.
*   Its distribution as free software under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.
*   Compatibility with major operating systems, including Microsoft Windows and macOS.
*   Maintaining an active development cycle with regular version releases, such as version 3.2 released in 2022.

## Body

### Overview
86Box is identified as a PC emulator and a DOS emulator. It is categorized as free software, meaning users have the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions.

### Software Details
*   **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0.
*   **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted.
*   **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/86Box/86Box.
*   **Programming Language**: Q15777 (specific language not detailed in source).
*   **Classification**: Emulator, free software, DOS emulator.

### Compatibility
86Box runs on the following operating systems:
*   Microsoft Windows (inception: 1985-11-20)
*   macOS (inception: 2001-03-24)
*   Q3251801 (specific OS not detailed in source).

### Version History
86Box has undergone several releases, including:
*   **Version 2.00**: Released on 2019-10-22.
*   **Version 2.02**: Released on 2019-10-23.
*   **Version 2.03**: Released on 2019-10-31.
*   **Version 2.04**: Released on 2019-10-31.
*   **Version 2.05**: Released on 2019-11-01.
*   **Version 2.06**: Released on 2019-11-02.
*   **Version 2.07**: Released on 2019-11-20.
*   **Version 3.0**: Released on 2021-12-01.
*   **Version 3.1**: Released on 2021-12-23.
*   **Version 3.2**: Released on 2022-02-16.

### Online Presence
*   **Official Website**: https://86box.net (Content in English).
*   **Twitter**: @86BoxEmulator (Account ID: 1239966923548315649, active since at least 2020-03-17).
*   **YouTube**:
    *   Handle: 86box
    *   Channel ID: UChBnf0oliV7Holdk6ILze_w (Channel started 2016-09-21).
    *   As of 2025-11-23, the channel had 295,062 viewers/listeners (total video views).
*   **Patreon**: 86box (Patreon ID: 86box, associated with 38402293).
*   **Lemmy Community**: 86box@lemmy.world.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/blob/master/COPYING)
2. [Source](https://github.com/86Box/86Box)
3. [Release 2.00. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.00)
4. [Release 2.02. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.02)
5. [Release 2.03. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.03)
6. [Release 2.04. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.04)
7. [Release 2.05. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.05)
8. [Release 2.06. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.06)
9. [Release 2.07. 2019](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v2.07)
10. [Release 3.0. 2021](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.0)
11. [Release 3.1. 2021](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.1)
12. [Release 3.2. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.2)
13. [Release 3.2.1. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.2.1)
14. [Release 3.3. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.3)
15. [Release 3.4. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.4)
16. [Release 3.4.1. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.4.1)
17. [Release 3.5. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.5)
18. [Release 3.6. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.6)
19. [Release 3.7. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.7)
20. [Release 3.7.1. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.7.1)
21. [Release 3.11. 2022](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v3.11)
22. [Release 4.0. 2023](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v4.0)
23. [Release 4.0.1. 2023](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v4.0.1)
24. [Release 4.1. 2024](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v4.1)
25. [Release 4.1.1. 2024](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v4.1.1)
26. [Release 4.2. 2024](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v4.2)
27. [Release 4.2.1. 2024](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v4.2.1)
28. [Release 5.0. 2025](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v5.0)
29. [Release 5.1. 2025](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v5.1)
30. [Release 5.2. 2025](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v5.2)
31. [Release 5.3. 2025](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/tag/v5.3)
32. YouTube API