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All About EMM386 Windows command

EMM386 is a Windows command that allows access to the computer’s extended memory, providing more memory for applications and optimizing system performance. It is commonly used in older versions of Windows to enable access to memory above the 1 MB limit. By loading EMM386, users can take advantage of Expanded Memory Specification (EMS) and Extended Memory Specification (XMS) to enhance the efficiency of their systems. EMM386 can be configured with various options to customize its behavior and allocation of memory resources, making it a useful tool for managing system memory on compatible Windows operating systems.

EMM386 Syntax:

Terminal window
emm386 [option] [parameter]

Options:

OptionDescription
RAMSpecifies the amount of memory to use
I=BSpecifies the input/output port address
X=BSpecifies the ROM address

Parameters:

ParameterDescription
NOEMSDisables EMS memory
NOVCPIDisables VCPI memory
FRAME=xxxSets the frame address for EMS memory

EMM386 CMD Examples:

Load EMM386 Driver

Terminal window
emm386

Loads the EMM386 memory manager driver into memory.

Specify Emulated EMS Memory Size

Terminal window
emm386 1024

Specifies the size of emulated Expanded Memory Specifications (EMS) memory to 1024 KB.

Disable EMS memory support

Terminal window
emm386 noems

Disables Expanded Memory Specifications (EMS) memory support.

Limit Upper Memory Block (UMB) usage

Terminal window
emm386 umb

Enables the use of Upper Memory Blocks (UMB) to optimize memory usage.

Set XMS memory size

Terminal window
emm386 x=4096

Sets the size of Extended Memory Specifications (XMS) memory to 4096 KB.

Exclude a Memory Range

Terminal window
emm386 excludememory 640-1024

Excludes the memory range from 640 KB to 1024 KB from EMS allocation.

EMM386 Command Help Center:

How do I use emm386 in Windows?

To use the emm386 command in Windows, execute the following command:

Terminal window
emm386 --option <value>

What are some common options for the emm386 command?

Some common options for the emm386 command include:

Terminal window
emm386 /RAM /MIN=0 /X=C000-CFFF

How can I allocate extended memory using emm386?

To allocate extended memory using emm386, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
emm386 /RAM

How do I exclude a specific memory range with emm386?

To exclude a specific memory range with emm386, you can use the following command syntax:

Terminal window
emm386 --exclude=C800-CFFF

What is the purpose of the /VERBOSE option in emm386?

The /VERBOSE option in emm386 is used to display detailed information about memory management. You can use it with the following command:

Terminal window
emm386 /VERBOSE

How can I specify the amount of EMS memory to allocate with emm386?

You can specify the amount of EMS memory to allocate with emm386 using the following command:

Terminal window
emm386 /EMS:1024

How do I enable expanded memory support in emm386?

To enable expanded memory support in emm386, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
emm386 /C

How can I disable the use of upper memory blocks (UMBs) with emm386?

To disable the use of upper memory blocks (UMBs) with emm386, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
emm386 /NOUMB

Applications of the EMM386 Command

  • Enables expanded memory support.
  • Facilitates running multiple MS-DOS-based applications simultaneously.
  • Helps optimize memory usage for efficient multitasking.
  • Facilitates running legacy software that requires access to expanded memory.
  • Enables usage of expanded memory for data storage and processing.
  • Supports older DOS games that require expanded memory.