FastBack (1986) 6 Utility DOS

Fastback, by Fifth Generation Systems, Inc, is a backup utility for DOS. Its key feature is that it can read and write both a floppy disk and hard disk at the same time by making use of dual-channel DMA. Combined with speedy data compression, it can make a very fast backup.

• 5.x
• Plus 1.x
• Plus 2.x
• Plus 3.x
• Plus 6.x

Framework (1984) 13 Word Processor Spreadsheet Graphics Communications Database DOS

Originally created by Forefront Corporation for Ashton-Tate and first released in 1984, Framework was an early integrated office suite for DOS. It has a built in word processor, spreadsheet, database, outliner, graphing, and telecommunications.

• 1.0
• Premier 1.x
• II
• III
• XE
• IV

Grammatik (1988) 0 Utility DOS

Grammatik is a standalone grammar checker, and was possibly the first grammar checker for personal computers. Later versions were built in to Word Perfect. It competed against RightWriter.

• II
• III
• IV

HiJaak (1991) 0 Graphics Publishing DOS

The original HiJaak program, from Inset Systems, is a powerful screen capture tool and image converter that can perform batch conversion between a large number of formats. The later Windows version are a powerful raster-to-vector graphics conversion and editing tool that can convert between a huge number of bitmap and vector file formats.

• 2.x (DOS)

IBM Assistant Series Quick Looks (1985) 0 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations Database DOS

This is a set of trial applications from the IBM Assistant Series. It includes Writing Assistant, Filing Assistant, Graphing Assistant, and Planning Assistant. They are limited so they can not print or save.

• 1.00

IBM Diskette Librarian (1982) 0 Utility DOS

IBM Diskette Librarian is a small database that keeps track of your files across multiple floppy disks.

• 1.00

IBM Fixed Disk Organizer (1984) 0 Utility DOS

IBM Fixed Disk Organizer is a simple menu program for DOS. It was marketed by IBM for use on their IBM XT. Using this shell, you will no longer have to repeatedly muddle through DOS commands to get to your commonly accessed applications. You can customize your menu items, and organize them in customizable categories. It also lets you set a password for menu items, and you may customize the screen colors. While there were many, many better menuing programs produced for DOS, Fixed Disk Organizer was a standard IBM offering.

• 1.00

IBM Personal Decision Series Network Plus Edition (1984) 0 Utility DOS

IBM Network+ Edition is an add on that enables network resource and data sharing between Personal Decision Series users on a local area network.

• 1.x

IBM PS2 Collegiate Kit (1987) 0 Utility DOS Windows

The IBM PS2 Collegiate Kit is a set of floppy disks that contain a system tutorial and a runtime of Windows 1.04 with a PS/2 mouse driver. It was included with some PS/2 machines as an educational promotional deal.

• 1.00

Key Paint 2000 (1991) 1 Graphics DOS

SoftKey Key Paint 2000 is a rebadged version of ZSoft PC Paintbrush for DOS. ZSoft was eventually purchased by SoftKey.

• 3.x

KeyCAD Complete (1993) 3 Graphics DOS

KeyCad Complete, from Softkey, is a low-end computer aided design and drawing tool.

• 6.0 (DOS)
• 1.0 for Windows

Landmark Service Diagnostics (1992) 0 Utility DOS

Landmark Service Diagnostics is a set of professional, exhaustive diagnostic tool for testing all aspects of IBM PC 8088, 286, 386, and 486 compatible computer systems. It includes hundreds of powerful and flexible tests that check motherboards, RAM, video, COM ports, floppy drives, hard drives, and printers.

• 2.x

Lotus Works (1990) 0 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations Database DOS

Formerly Electric Desk/AlphaWorks from Alpha Software, Lotus Works is an all in one office suite for DOS that includes a word processor, spell check, spreadsheet, graphics, database, and communications. It targeted the lower end and first time computer buyers. It competed against other all in one office suites such as FrameWork, PFS First Choice, and Microsoft Works

• 1.0

Master Graphics Presentation Pack (1987) 1 Presentations Graphics DOS

The Ashton-Tate Master Graphics Presentation Pack is a bundle of Ashton-Tate's graphics programs. This includes Chart-Master, Diagram-Master, and Sign-Master. These appear identical to the standalone versions, the only different is the inclusion of a unified menu disk.

• 1.0

MaxThink (1989) 2 Utility DOS

MaxThink Max89 is a writing outliner / idea processing program. Unlike a word processor that focuses on presentation, MaxThink focuses on the ideas behind what you are writing. You enter ideas as you go, and MaxThink provides advanced tools to combine, sort, and organize your ideas in different ways.

• Max89

MenuWorks (1988) 2 Utility DOS

Menu Works, from PC Dynamics, Inc, is a DOS based menu program that lets you boot your computer to a friendly menu of options rather than a confounding DOS prompt. It supports mice, features custom menu creation, sub menus, automatic scanning for known programs on your hard drive, on-line help, built in file management, and a built in file search function.

• 2.x
• Advanced 2.0

Microsoft Network Driver Development Kit (1990) 3 DOS OS2

This is a set of development tools used to create network drivers for DOS and OS/2.

• 2.x

Microsoft Works (1986) 76 Word Processor Spreadsheet Communications Database DOS

Microsoft Works was an all-in-one scaled-down Word Processor, Spreadsheet, and Database geared towards the home user. It was released in variants for early DOS, Windows, and Macintosh. Microsoft Works competed against Lotus Jazz, FrameWork, AlphaWorks/LotusWorks, PFS First Choice, and many others.

• 1.x (DOS)
• 2.x (DOS)
• 3.x (DOS)

MyBackup (1991) 0 Utility DOS

MyBackup was a low-end, low cost budget title that featured a simplistic, no-frills, easy to use backup utility. It can perform full backups, or backups of selected files. There were versions for DOS and Windows. Presumably based on Finot KeepTrack Plus.

• 1.x (DOS)

Norton Backup (1990) 3 Utility DOS

Norton Backup, from Symantec, is a fast and easy to use backup tool for MS-DOS. The original 1.0 suffered from reliability problems, but these were fixed in 1.1. It does not include a backup scheduler. It competed against backup utilities such as PC Tools Deluxe PC Backup, Taketwo Manager, Gazelle Systems Back-It, Backup Pro, FastBack Plus, and Keep Track Plus.

• 1.x
• 2.x

Norton Desktop (1991) 32 Utility DOS

Norton Desktop is a powerful desktop shell and file manager bundled with many additional tools. There are versions for both DOS and Microsoft Windows.

• 1.0 for DOS

Packard Bell Navigator (1993) 29 Utility Other DOS

Packard Bell Navigator is an alternate user interface that replaces the Windows 3.1 Program Manager shell. It presents the content of your computer as a series of rooms.

• 3.5

PC-Fullbak (1988) 0 Utility DOS

PC-Fullbak was a small low-cost hard drive backup program that aggressively competed head-on against Fifth Generation Systems Fastback. It was comparatively speedy, and supported appending to existing backups. under the name "PC-FullbakEZ". There were also versions for the Macintosh.

• 2.x

Perks (1987) 0 Utility PIM DOS

Perks-PC is a set of terminate-and-stay-resident utilities originally designed for the Zenith Z-100 and optimized for use on laptop computers. It features a notepad, typewriter tool, a four-function calculator, appointment calendar, card file, a rudimentary telecommunications program with file transfer abilities, and alarm clock. Notably, it claims to support all versions of DOS including DOS 1.x.

• 2.x

PKZip (1990) 17 Utility DOS

Pkzip is the most common archiver for MS-DOS based systems. It implements a an open compression method and is much faster than other archivers of its time.

• 1.x
• 2.0x