Why can't a DOS program (that runs in VGA mode) be run in a window?

Is there a fundamental reason why a dos progam that switches the display
to 640 x 480 x 16 color VGA mode can't run in a resizable (or even fixed
size) window on either win-98 or XP? But instead it must run in
full-screen mode?

In message , 98 Guy writes
Is there a fundamental reason why a dos progam that switches the display
to 640 x 480 x 16 color VGA mode can't run in a resizable (or even fixed
size) window on either win-98 or XP? But instead it must run in
full-screen mode?

The DOS prog. expects to directly control the video hardware. The later
operating system can _sometimes_ _simulate_ a real system as far as the
DOS prog. is concerned, but not always.

Have you tried Alt-Enter to toggle between full-screen and windowed when
the DOS prog. is running?

(Do you have a particular DOS software in mind - if so, what?)
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98 Guy wrote in :

Is there a fundamental reason why a dos progam that
switches the display to 640 x 480 x 16 color VGA mode can't
run in a resizable (or even fixed size) window on either
win-98 or XP? But instead it must run in full-screen mode?

IME, right clicking will bring up properties where you can set
the window size, fonts, etc.
It may not work for ALL programs, depending on your OS and the
humidity in Redmond that day.

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in another post.