Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
DESQview/X : The forgotten mid-1990s OS from the future
X11 client and server. DOS. Windows 3.1. All with preemptive multitasking.
December 04, 2023
post photo preview

Today we're going to be looking at a system that is, in my opinion, rather special. But, for many reasons, is mostly forgotten by todays computer users.

That OS: DESQview/X by Quarterdeck.

So. What is DESQview/X? Many people, in the current day and age, may have never even heard of this system from the mid-1990s.

Its predecessor, DESQview (without the “/X”) which was first released in 1985, was a multi-tasking, windowing system for DOS. It allowed someone, with very modest PC hardware, to run multiple text-mode DOS applications at the same time. With overlapping, resizable windows.

Pretty darned cool.

This multitasking wasn't the cooperative multi-tasking that we saw in early Windows (through 3.11) and MacOS up through version 9. No sir-ee bob. DESQview had true, preemptive multi-tasking. Fast. Stable. Lightweight. It was downright impressive.

But it was all text-mode.

Then DESQview/X came along, in the 1990s, bringing a complete X11 (aka X Windows) graphical interface with it.

To give you an idea of what this system is capable of, here's a quick run-down of just some of the features of DESQview/X:

  • Full, preemptive multitasking.

  • A complete X Window system with:

    • Overlapping, resizable, movable windows.

    • The ability to act as an X11 client (run X Windows applications running on another computer, such as a UNIX/Linux box).

    • The ability to act as an X11 server (allowing another X Windows client to run applications on the DESQview/X computer).

  • The ability to run DOS applications.

  • The ability to run a complete instance of Windows 3.1x as a movable, resizable X11 window.

  • An SDK for building (and porting from other systems) X11 applications.

    • Including networking applications, like early Web Browsers.

Now...

Many might make the case that DESQview/X is not actually an Operating System. It does, after all, sit on top of DOS (much like early versions of Windows).

I would posit: that doesn't do DESQview/X justice.

A preemptive multitasking system, capable of running DOS, Windows, local X11, and remote X11 applications? I mean. Wow. That's more power than many other Operating Systems even of today. So, yes. DESQview/X is an OS.

… Just one that also needs DOS.

DESQview/X is so much fun

I'll put this simply: DESQview/X is easy and fun to use.

Tap the ALT key on the keyboard, and up pops a global system menu. From there you can launch applications, manage the window layout, close applications, and the like.

Windows 3.1 running in a small window, plus the global DESQview menu open.

Just about everything (including resizing and moving windows) can be done entirely from a keyboard without ever touching a mouse. The mouse works everywhere, but you don't need to take your hands off the keyboard if you don't want to.

I love that.

Add to that the ability to run DOS, Windows 3.1, and X Windows applications… it's just so much goshdarned fun.

Oh. Check this out:

I mentioned that DESQview/X works as an X11 server, right?  And we know that can run an entire instance of Windows 3.1 as an X11 window.

Think about that for a moment.

If you have a DOS + Windows 3.1 + DESQview/X computer somewhere… you can run Windows 3.1 applications on a separate UNIX-y box (such as a Linux machine running Xorg), acting as an X11 client.

Cool, right? I tell ya. This system is fun.

Here's something really crazy… DESQview/X is the easiest X11 based system I've ever installed. A seamless, fast, almost impossible to mess up installation process.

It also ranks as the easiest X Windows based system to learn that I've ever used. Launching applications. Managing windows. All super simple.

Without the slightest bit of documentation, a user can figure out how to use most aspects of the system (including the keyboard shortcuts) without no more than about 4 or 5 minutes.

While there are places where I would love to see more customization options… there's already quite a lot here – including multiple window managers like twmOpen Look, and Motif.

It's got xeyes, people!

My biggest complaint with DESQview/X would be a simple (and obvious) one…

Because DESQview/X was developed by a company that no longer exists – and the software is not open source – the development of support for newer hardware has ended. While this doesn't present much of an issue when using VMs or older hardware, it would be quite nice to be able to run DESQview using newer graphics cards (read: higher resolution), be able to user larger amounts of RAM, and the like.

In all honesty… if this system were released as open source (under any of a wide variety of licenses) it would still be useful today. In fact… I could make an oddly strong case for using DESQview/X as a daily driver system.

If you have never tried out this oddly beautiful system, I highly recommend it.

It is so choice.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
16
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Framework Computer has Hitler Particles, Says GNOME Spokesman

Framework Computer has endorsed DHH's Omarchy Linux & Hyprland. Leftist Open Source Activists call Framework "Far Right, Fascist, White Supremacist, Transphobic, Motherf***ers".

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:24:31
Atlassian's Bitbucket Has "Celebrate Pride Every Day" Setting

The maker of Jira and Trello says you should celebrate LGBT Pride every day. EVERY DAY.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:05:00
"Lunduke is Fash!"

"This Lunduke guy is really stupid. I want to launch him off a cliff."

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:10:13
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044
12 hours ago

Consider this...
Lunduke has had his BBS running for years on a DOS based system. He has not been hacked...
Linux has been running for years...it has more holes than swiss cheese...
Why is it then that everyone proclaims this is the "Year of the Linux Desktop?"
Should we not then be proclaiming that "This is the Year of the Dos Desktop?"
We know that DOS is not hackable...why not use that??

15 hours ago

Mansfield, Georgia. They come claiming to "help" bring funds to poor areas...

'I can't drink the water' - life next to a US data centre
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8gy7lv448o

2 hours ago

Is this true and how can we tell???

October 07, 2025
New: MP4 Downloads for all Lunduke Journal Subscribers

All Lunduke Journal subscribers now have full access to DRM-Free, MP4 versions of every single video released during 2024 and 2025.

No matter where you subscribe to The Lunduke Journal (Substack, Locals, YouTube, X, or Patreon), and no matter what kind of subscription you have (Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime), you can go to the Subscriber Perks page to get access to some pretty rad goodies:

  • DRM-Free, MP4 versions of all shows

  • A dozen PDF eBooks (plus some goofy games)

  • Full access to the exclusive Lunduke Journal forum

All my way of saying “Thank You” for supporting the important work of The Lunduke Journal. Couldn’t do it without you.

Also worth noting:

Any Lifetime Subscription (or Yearly Subscription picked up through Substack) is “Buy One, Give One” through Friday. Meaning you get a subscription for yourself… and can give a free subscription to whoever you like!

Which. You know. Is pretty awesome.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 18, 2025
Final Reminder: Lifetime Price Increase in 24 hours

This is just a super quick reminder (so no body misses out):

This Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300.

Which means: If you want to pick up a new Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th). That’s roughly 24 hours from the moment I am writing these words.

Obviously, once you have a Lifetime Subscription you’re set. You know. For life.

I wanted to give all of you some notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

Also worth noting: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

This will be the final reminder before the change goes into effect.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 15, 2025
post photo preview
Lunduke Livestream: Tue, Sep 16 at 1pm Eastern

The Lunduke Journal regular live-streaming is back! The next show is Tuesday, September 16th (tomorrow) at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific, 5pm UTC).

You can catch the live video, for free, on X, Rumble, YouTube, & Locals.

We’ve got a lot of Tech News to cover — and who knows what stories will pop up between now and then!

Time permitting, we’ll also be doing a little Nerdy Q & A. So, if you’ve got something you’d like to ask, join us in one of the chat rooms!

Also, quick reminder that the price of new Lifetime Subscription is going up this Friday. If you want one at the lower price, now’s your moment. We’ve also added some new perks for subscribers worth checking out.

See you nerd tomorrow!

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals