In what may come as a surprise, Microsoft has released the source code for both MS-DOS and Word for Windows. However, bear in mind that not everything is what it seems, because the source code released is for the early versions of MS-DOS and word.

Both source codes are available to the public for the first time; still, one should not expect them to be of much help.

Why did Microsoft do this?

The software giant partnered with the Computer History Museum in San Jose on the plan to bring MS-DOS and Word for Widows public, where the source code is concerned. Microsoft said, the museum will offer MS DOS1.1 and 2.0 and Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a. Apparently, it is for the purpose of better helping folks to understand the roots of the personal computing software we use today.

"On Tuesday, we dusted off the source code for early versions of MS-DOS and Word for Windows. With the help of the Computer History Museum, we are making this code available to the public for the first time," says Microsoft.  

"The museum has done an excellent job of curating some of the most significant historical software programs in computing history. As part of this ongoing project, the museum will make available two of the most widely used software programs of the 1980's, MS DOS 1.1 and 2.0 and Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a, to help future generations of technologists better understand the roots of personal computing."

Would anyone be able to use these source codes for personal means?  

It is very unlikely that Microsoft and the museum would allow folks to use the codes on a personal level. The purpose here is for the public to understand where some of our most used programs come from before taking over the world, not to be reproduced or used.

For this to happen, Microsoft would have to make the source codes open source, and we doubt the giant from Redmond is up for the tasks. Yes, Microsoft has dabbled in open source, in the past, but nothing good came of such actions.