Two Microsoft DOS upgrade kits are competing for your legacy PC, and both arrive on 3.5" floppy disks. The choice is not just a version number: one is a sealed Brand New MS-DOS 6.0 upgrade, while the other is a Like New open-box MS-DOS 5.0 upgrade. That difference affects how much protection the floppies have and how you think about the packaging before you load the first disk. Both carry the Microsoft name, so the real question is which edition and which packaging trade-off you can live with.
Quick verdict
Pick the MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade if the newer DOS version matters most. Pick the Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade if the lower listed price matters more. Both are Microsoft-branded upgrades in the 3.5" disk format, so the short answer comes down to version versus price. The table below lays out the listed-price and condition differences in one view, and the product notes explain the packaging and compatibility details in more depth.
At a glance
| Comparison | MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade | Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade |
| Listed price | USD 45.00 | USD 35.00 |
| Price bar | | |
| Condition | Brand New | Like New |
| Format | Floppy 3.5" | 3.5" Disks |
Where each product wins
- MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade: the later DOS version in this pairing, so it wins if you want the newest upgrade of the two.
- Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade: the compatibility wording explicitly lists DOS as well as Microsoft DOS, so it wins if that phrasing gives you more confidence for your setup.
Product notes
MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade Operating System 3.5" Floppy Discs Sealed New In Box
Looking for the later DOS upgrade? The MS-DOS 6.0 set is Brand New and sealed in its box, with English listed as the language, a minimum hard drive footprint under 50 MB, and a minimum RAM of 512 MB. The concrete reason to choose it is the sealed presentation, which keeps the floppy disks protected before installation. The limitation to weigh is its compatibility wording: it lists Microsoft DOS, but it does not use the plain DOS label that the competing set includes. If sealed packaging is your priority and you are targeting a Microsoft DOS machine, this set is the straightforward pick. The model is Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0, and the single-device scope keeps the upgrade simple.
Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade 3.5" Software Operating System Disks NEW Open Box
The Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade is a Like New open-box set. The plastic holding the floppy is biodegradable, so it can tear even when the disk itself remains new; the open packaging is the limitation you are accepting. On the upside, the compatibility listing explicitly covers DOS and Microsoft DOS, and the item carries a Standard license category. For a buyer who is comfortable with an open box, this set offers a clear compatibility path without requiring a sealed shrink-wrapped unit. The model is Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0, and the MPN is MS-DOS 5, so the version is easy to identify when you are sorting through your software.
Final choice by use case
Choose the MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade if the later DOS release is the deciding factor. Choose the Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade if the explicit DOS and Microsoft DOS compatibility wording and a Like New open-box condition fit your needs.
