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
How Much of Linux is Antifa?

"GNOME is Antifa," says GNOME. "See you in prison I guess," says Elementary OS founder. Antifa is everywhere in Open Source.

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

00:14:35
September 17, 2025
Internet Archive Reaches Secret Settlement with Universal Music

Internet Archive Founder, Brewster Kahle, was the final hold-out in reaching a settlement. Which is being kept confidential.

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

00:10:54
September 16, 2025
CTO of Microsoft Azure: "USA is Fascist Regime"

Microsoft employees chanting "Go away, Jews!" Then Microsoft employees praising the murder of Charlie Kirk. Now the Microsoft Chief Technical Officer of Azure attacks the USA & Trump.

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

00:09:50
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

The Lunduke Journal is going live at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific, 5pm UTC) today -- on X, Rumble, Locals, & YouTube.

Might be live a few minutes earlier than that. Got a lot of stuff to cover.

post photo preview
September 17, 2025

You all, I think, will be very proud of me. All of my computers in the house, other than my desktop are now running Omarchy or Open Mandriva Linux.

Microsoft is so disgusting right now that I just can't not be using Linux.

I mean I am probably one of the most hardcore Windows developers on here. I still think a lot of my points are valid, but Microsoft is just so ethically bad that I can't support them willingly. I have to use Windows at work and development focuses on it in some cases.

BUT, I have already released 3 Linux based applications of my own, and that is something I NEVER thought I would do.

It is a crazy world.

https://github.com/2disbetter/

DHH backing Omarchy is the kind of support I was hoping would come to a desktop Linux distro. That it is Arch and uses Hyprland just makes me smile. I of course support xlibre, but I just really like Hyprland.

Anyway, figured this crowd would find all of this as ironic as I do. Hope you all are having a rad day!

Anyone have any experience running any of the BSDs (preferably OpneBSD or GhostBSD) on real hardware? I've got a Lenovo Yoga 7i that is a couple years old heading my way from a family member who was going to recycle it (the hinge broke and he bought a new computer) and a few other candidates for trying my hand at an authentic BSD for daily driving. Just not sure how much of a headache I'm going to have getting things to work with the devices I have handy.

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
September 14, 2025
New Lunduke Journal Sub Perks, Lifetime Price Increase Next Week

A quick update: There are some new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers, and an upcoming price increase for new Lifetime Subscriptions (if you want one of those at the lower price, you have a couple days).

All the details below.

Lifetime Subscription Price Increase

This coming Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300. I wanted to give all of you a few days notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

If you want to pick up a Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th).

The prices for new Yearly and Monthly subscriptions will remain the same. No changes.

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

New Perks for Lunduke Journal Subscribers

I am working on adding a few new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers — a way of saying “Thank You” for making this work possible (while still keeping all of the articles and shows free for the world).

Here are the perks as of today.

Perks for all Subscribers (Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime):

Note: The eBooks & Games are currently only available on Locals & Substack (due to platform features). Those perks will also become available to subscribers on X, YouTube, & Patreon next week. Stay tuned for access details.

Additional (Optional) Perks only for Lifetime Subscribers:

  • The Lunduke Journal will follow your account on X.

  • Your name (real, or internet handle) listed in a special thanks slide at the end of new Lunduke Journal videos.

Both of these perks are 100% optional.

If you are a Lifetime Subscriber, and would like to take advantage of either (or both), simply email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the subject line “Lifetime Perk” (that part is important, I get so many emails this will help me see yours) and include a link to your X profile and/or the way you want your name to appear at the end of videos.

One of the nice parts of having Lunduke Journal follow your X account… is it will make it far easier (and more likely) for me to see your comments.

Thank You

I am working to expand all of the regular perks (books, etc.) to subscribers across all platforms (which was a little tricky, considering the differences in each platform, but I managed to figure out how to do it) — while adding a few new ones as well.

Nothing crazy, just a way of saying “Thank You”.

Seriously.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support. The Lunduke Journal is only possible thanks to each and every one of you.

-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