Windows 95's DOS virtual machines provided pretty close to a full 640KB of free conventional memory to each VM launched. You could even control how much they ge

Windows 95's DOS virtual machines provided pretty close to a full 640KB of free conventional memory to each VM launched. You could even control how much they get through PIF settings (right click the shortcut, go to Properties). There was also no need to fiddle with, eg, mouse and CD-ROM drivers; the DOS VM outsourced the support of those devices to Windows, and did not occupy conventional memory in the way it would under MS-DOS itself. Unless you're booting into MS-DOS Mode, in which case, you're back to all the old awfulness.