1 files changed, 14 insertions, 3 deletions

diff --git a/src/w32.c b/src/w32.c
index bd6fdd9a2da..9a552e9565c 100644
--- a/src/w32.c
+++ b/src/w32.c
@@ -2131,7 +2131,7 @@ term_ntproc ()
 #endif
 }
 
-extern BOOL can_run_dos_process;
+extern BOOL restrict_dos_process;
 extern BOOL dos_process_running;
 
 void
@@ -2212,8 +2212,19 @@ init_ntproc ()
     fdopen (2, "w");
   }
 
-  /* Only allow Emacs to run DOS programs on Win95. */
-  can_run_dos_process = (GetVersion () & 0x80000000);
+  /* On Windows 95 only, restrict Emacs to running only one DOS program
+     at a time (with any number of Win32 programs).  This is to prevent
+     the user from running into problems with DOS programs being run in
+     the same VDM under Win95.
+
+     Note that it is possible for Emacs to run DOS programs in separate
+     VDMs under Win95, but unfortunately the pipe implementation then
+     fails to report when the DOS process exits (which is supposed to
+     break the pipe).  Until this bug is fixed, or we can devise a
+     work-around, we must try to avoid letting the user start more than
+     one DOS program if possible.  */
+
+  restrict_dos_process = (GetVersion () & 0x80000000);
   dos_process_running = FALSE;
 
   /* unfortunately, atexit depends on implementation of malloc */