# DESQview

> text mode multitasking operating environment for MS-DOS

**Wikidata**: [Q1153036](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1153036)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DESQview)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/desqview

## Summary
DESQview is a text-mode multitasking operating environment for MS-DOS. It was developed by Quarterdeck Office Systems and provided a windowing-style, multitasking layer that ran on top of MS-DOS.

## Key Facts
- DESQview is a text-mode multitasking operating environment for MS-DOS.  
- Developer: Quarterdeck Office Systems.  
- Instance of: operating environment and windowing system.  
- Aliases: DESQview/X; DesqView.  
- Platform (recorded): Q47604.  
- Readable file format listed: Program information file.  
- Freebase identifier: /m/0212vj.  
- Wikipedia title: DESQview; available in languages: de, en, es, ja, ko, ru.  
- Wikidata sitelink_count for DESQview: 6.  
- Related class: operating environment — environment in which users run application software (sitelink_count: 8).

## FAQs
### Q: What is DESQview?
A: DESQview is a text-mode multitasking operating environment that runs on top of MS-DOS, providing a windowing-style environment and the ability to manage multiple text-mode applications.

### Q: Who developed DESQview?
A: DESQview was developed by Quarterdeck Office Systems.

### Q: Does DESQview have other names?
A: Yes. It is also referred to as DESQview/X and sometimes written as DesqView.

### Q: What platforms and formats are associated with DESQview?
A: The recorded platform identifier is Q47604 and a listed readable file format is "Program information file." The product's Freebase ID is /m/0212vj.

## Why It Matters
DESQview provided MS-DOS users with a way to run and manage multiple text-mode applications concurrently in a windowed layout. Because MS-DOS itself was single-tasking at the time, an operating environment that enabled multitasking and window-like organization of applications addressed a practical limitation for users who needed to switch between editors, communication programs, and utilities without rebooting or exiting applications. As an instance of both an operating environment and a windowing system, DESQview represents one approach to extending DOS functionality through software that sat on top of the base operating system. Its association with Quarterdeck Office Systems and presence in multiple language Wikipedias reflect its recognition and distribution as a distinct MS-DOS-era product. For researchers or users examining historical desktop environments, DOS-era multitasking solutions, or Quarterdeck’s software offerings, DESQview is a relevant example of text-mode multitasking and windowing on MS-DOS.

## Notable For
- Being a text-mode multitasking operating environment specifically designed for MS-DOS.  
- Functioning as both an operating environment and a windowing system.  
- Development and distribution by Quarterdeck Office Systems.  
- Known under multiple aliases: DESQview/X and DesqView.  
- Documented identifiers and formats, including Freebase ID /m/0212vj and readable file format "Program information file."

## Body
### Overview
- DESQview is described as a text-mode multitasking operating environment for MS-DOS.  
- It provides a windowing-style environment while operating in a text-mode context.  
- It runs on top of MS-DOS rather than replacing the operating system.

### Developer
- The developer is Quarterdeck Office Systems.  
- Quarterdeck is recorded as the creator/developer in the source properties provided.

### Classification & Platform
- Instance of: operating environment.  
- Instance of: windowing system.  
- Platform entry in the provided data: Q47604.

### Aliases & Identifiers
- Aliases listed: DESQview/X and DesqView.  
- Freebase ID: /m/0212vj.  
- Wikipedia title: DESQview.  
- Wikidata sitelink_count for the item: 6.

### File Formats & Technical Notes
- Readable file format (as recorded): Program information file.  
- The product is categorized and described in data sources as a multitasking environment operating in text mode under MS-DOS.

### References in Wikimedia Data
- Wikipedia language coverage includes German (de), English (en), Spanish (es), Japanese (ja), Korean (ko), and Russian (ru).  
- The related class "operating environment" is described as the environment in which users run application software and has its own sitelink_count of 8 in the provided data.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013