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DOS extender
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<p>A DOS extender is a <a href="/facts/Computer_software/RP79lVSW">computer software</a> program running under <a href="/facts/DOS/sWwDXNmX">DOS</a> that enables software to run in a <a href="/facts/Protected_mode/y5u3Gwqq">protected mode</a> environment even though the host operating system is only capable of operating in <a href="/facts/Real_mode/wfU8vfjn">real mode</a>. </p><p>DOS extenders were initially developed in the 1980s following the introduction of the <a href="/facts/Intel_80286/rucEU93g">Intel 80286</a> processor (and later expanded upon with the <a href="/facts/Intel_80386/ag5eSgWv">Intel 80386</a>), to cope with the memory limitations of <a href="/facts/DOS/sWwDXNmX">DOS</a>. </p>