View source for Windows 98

{{Short description|1998 Microsoft operating system version}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = Windows 98
| version of = [[Windows 9x]]
| logo = File:Microsoft Windows 98 logo with wordmark.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| screenshot = Windows98.png
| caption = A screenshot of Windows 98, displaying its [[desktop metaphor|desktop]], [[taskbar]], [[Active Desktop]], and Welcome To Windows 98 Window
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| source_model = [[Closed source]]
| license = [[Commercial software]]
| supported_platforms = [[IA-32]]
| discontinued = yes
| first_release_date = {{start date and age|1998|5|15}}
| first_release_url = http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/windows-98-release-date-set-june-25
| GA_date = {{start date and age|1998|6|25}}
| GA_url = 
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel]] ([[MS-DOS]])
| preceded_by = [[Windows 95]] (1995)
| succeeded_by = [[Windows Me]] (2000)
| release_version = Second Edition (4.10.2222 A)
| release_date = {{Start date and age|1999|6|10}}<ref name="release">{{cite web |url=https://news.microsoft.com/1999/06/10/microsoft-announces-immediate-availability-of-windows-98-second-edition/ |title=Microsoft Announces Immediate Availability of Windows 98 Second Edition |date=June 10, 1999 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308042441/https://news.microsoft.com/1999/06/10/microsoft-announces-immediate-availability-of-windows-98-second-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| support_status = Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002<ref name="Support">{{cite web |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle?sort=ES&alpha=Windows%2098 |title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Support |access-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106223642/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle?sort=ES&alpha=Windows%2098 |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Extended support ended on July 11, 2006<ref name="Support"/>
| other_articles = 
| date = January 2011 <!-- approximate date of template insertion for dating hidden maintenance categories -->
| website = {{URL|1=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209131400/http://microsoft.com/windows98/default.asp|2=Windows 98}} (archived at [[Wayback Machine]])
}}
<!-- Brief introduction -->'''Windows 98''' is a consumer-oriented [[operating system]] developed by [[Microsoft]] as part of its [[Windows 9x]] line of [[Microsoft Windows]], a family of [[Graphical user interface|graphical]] [[Shell_(computing)#Graphical_shells|user shells]] and [[operating system]]s. It was the second operating system in the 9x line, as the successor to [[Windows 95]]. It was [[Software release life cycle#Release to manufacturing (RTM)|released to manufacturing]] on May 15, 1998, and generally to retail on June 25, 1998. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid [[16-bit computing|16-bit]] and [[32-bit application|32-bit]]<ref name="Multitask">{{cite web |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/117567/en-us |title=How 16-Bit and 32-Bit Programs Multitask in Windows 95 |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=November 15, 2006 |work=Support |access-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> monolithic product with the [[booting|boot stage]] based on [[MS-DOS]].<ref name="Architecture">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc751120.aspx |title=Windows 95 Architecture Components |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |date=February 20, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017053409/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc751120.aspx |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- END Brief introduction -->

<!-- Features -->Windows 98 is [[World Wide Web|web]]-integrated and bears numerous similarities to its predecessor. Most of its improvements were cosmetic or designed to improve the user experience, but there were also a handful of features introduced to enhance system functionality and capabilities, including improved [[USB]] support and accessibility, and support for hardware advancements such as [[DVD]] players. Windows 98 was the first edition of Windows to adopt the [[Windows Driver Model]], and introduced features that would become standard in future generations of Windows, such as [[Disk Cleanup]], [[Windows Update]], [[multi-monitor]] support, and [[Internet Connection Sharing]].<!-- END Features -->

<!-- Reception & legacy -->Microsoft had marketed Windows 98 as a "tune-up" to Windows 95, rather than an entirely improved next generation of Windows.<ref name="wsj-may982">{{cite web |last=Mossberg |first=Walter S. |date=May 14, 1998 |title=Windows 98 Offers Users Useful, Not Vital, Features |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895095011249520500 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014142701/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895095011249520500 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> Upon release, Windows 98 was generally well-received for its web-integrated interface and ease of use, as well as its addressing of issues present in Windows 95, although some pointed out that it was not significantly more stable than Windows 95. In 2003 Windows 98 had approximately 58 million users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vaughan-Nichols |first=Steven J. |date=2003-12-12 |title=No More Microsoft Support For You |url=https://www.eweek.com/servers/no-more-microsoft-support-for-you/ |website=eWeek}}</ref> It saw one major update, known as [[#Windows 98 Second Edition|Windows 98 Second Edition]] (SE), released on June 10, 1999. After the release of its successor, [[Windows Me]] in 2000, mainstream support for Windows 98 and 98 SE ended on June 30, 2002, followed by extended support on July 11, 2006 along with Windows Me's end of extended support.<!-- END Reception & legacy --><!-- Do not add extra paragraphs per [[WP:LEAD]]! -->

==Development==
Following the success of Windows 95, the development of Windows 98 began, initially under the development codename "Memphis". The first test version, Windows Memphis Developer Release, was released in January 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-8/windows-97-beta|title=Windows 97 in Beta|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|work=IT Pro Today|date=January 5, 1997|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622203419/http://www.itprotoday.com/windows-8/windows-97-beta|archive-date=June 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Memphis first entered beta as Windows Memphis Beta 1, released on June 30, 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/Next-Windows-goes-into-full-beta/2100-1001_3-201072.html |title=Next Windows goes into full beta |website=CNET |date=June 30, 1997 |access-date=May 20, 2013 |first=Alex |last=Lash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203435/http://news.cnet.com/Next-Windows-goes-into-full-beta/2100-1001_3-201072.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was followed by Windows 98 Beta 2, which dropped the Memphis name and was released in July.<ref name="Memphis">{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/Memphis-is-Windows-98/2100-1001_3-201734.html |title=Memphis is Windows 98 |last=Lash |first=Alex |date=July 23, 1997 |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[CNET]] |access-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929062323/https://www.cnet.com/news/memphis-is-windows-98/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Microsoft had planned a full release of Windows 98 for the first quarter of 1998, along with a Windows 98 upgrade pack for Windows 95, but it also had a similar upgrade for [[Windows 3.0|Windows 3.x]] operating systems planned for the second quarter. Stacey Breyfogle, a product manager for Microsoft, explained that the later release of the upgrade for Windows 3 was because the upgrade required more testing than that for Windows 95 due to the presence of more compatibility issues, and without user objections, Microsoft merged the two upgrade packs into one and set all of their release dates to the second quarter.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/computerworld3138unse|title=Users unfazed by Windows 98 delay|last=Jacobs|first=April|magazine=[[Computerworld]]|date=September 22, 1997|volume=31|issue=38|page=3}}</ref>

On December 15, 1997, Microsoft released Windows 98 Beta 3. It was the first build to be able to upgrade from [[Windows 3.1x]], and introduced new startup and shutdown sounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/microsoft-releases-windows-98-beta-3 |title=Microsoft releases Windows 98 Beta 3 |publisher=Windows IT Pro |date=December 15, 1997 |access-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912025545/http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/microsoft-releases-windows-98-beta-3 |archive-date=September 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Near its completion, Windows 98 Release Candidate was released on April 3, 1998,<ref name="winsuper">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows/windows-98-review |title=Windows 98 Review |publisher=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows |date=June 25, 1998 |access-date=May 20, 2013 |first=Paul |last=Thurrott |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712095647/http://winsupersite.com/windows/windows-98-review |archive-date=July 12, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which expired on December 31 of the same year. This coincided with a notable press demonstration at [[COMDEX]] that month. Microsoft CEO [[Bill Gates]] was highlighting the operating system's ease of use and enhanced support for [[Legacy Plug and Play|Plug and Play]] (PnP). However, when presentation assistant [[Chris Capossela]] [[hot swapping|plugged]] a Logitech PageScan{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} USB scanner in, the operating system crashed, displaying a [[Blue Screen of Death]]. Bill Gates remarked after derisive applause and cheering from the audience, "That must be why we're not shipping Windows 98 yet." Video footage of this event became a popular [[List of Internet phenomena|Internet phenomenon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9804/21/windows.98/index.html?iref=allsearch|title=CNN – Computer users on Windows 98: It's not revolutionary – April 21, 1998|last=Lefevre|first=Greg|date=April 21, 1998|work=[[CNN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414110931/http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9804/21/windows.98/index.html?iref=allsearch|archive-date=April 14, 2016|access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>

Build 1998 was compiled as Windows 98 on May 11, 1998,<ref name="KB206071">{{kb|206071|General information about Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition hotfixes}}</ref> before being fully released to manufacturing on May 15.<ref name="WITP-Release" /> The company was [[United States v. Microsoft Corp.|facing pending legal action]] for allowing free downloads of, and planning to ship Windows licenses with, [[Internet Explorer 4.0]] in an alleged effort to expand its software monopoly. Microsoft's critics believed the lawsuit would further delay Windows 98's public release;<ref name="wsj-may98">{{cite web |last=Mossberg |first=Walter S. |date=May 14, 1998 |title=Windows 98 Offers Users Useful, Not Vital, Features |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895095011249520500 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014142701/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895095011249520500 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> it did not, and the operating system was released on June 25, 1998.<ref name="WITP-Release">{{cite web|url=http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/17693/windows-98-release-date-set-june-25.html|title=Windows 98 release date set: June 25|date=March 11, 1998|access-date=February 18, 2017|publisher=WinInfo|author=Paul Thurrott|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131180448/http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/17693/windows-98-release-date-set-june-25.html|archive-date=January 31, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A second major version of the operating system called Windows 98 Second Edition was later unveiled in March 1999.<ref>{{cite web |author1=John G. Spooner |author2=Mary Jo Foley |author-link2=Mary Jo Foley |title=Windows 98 second edition? |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-98-second-edition/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |access-date=October 13, 2019 |date=March 16, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629110533/http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-98-second-edition/ |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="98Relaunch">{{cite web |author1=Stephanie Miles |title=Windows 98 to be relaunched with new IE |url=http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-340104.html?tag= |website=[[CNET]] |access-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000823031920/http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-340104.html?tag= |archive-date=August 23, 2000 |date=March 18, 1999 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Microsoft compiled the final build on April 23, 1999, before being fully released to manufacturing on May 5,<ref name="KB206071"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition Released to Manufacturing |url=http://news.microsoft.com/1999/05/05/microsoft-windows-98-second-edition-released-to-manufacturing/ |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=June 18, 2018 |date=May 5, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811215335/http://news.microsoft.com/1999/05/05/microsoft-windows-98-second-edition-released-to-manufacturing/ |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> and publicly released on June 10, 1999.<ref name="release"/> Windows 98 was to be the final product in the Windows 9x line until Microsoft briefly revived the line to release [[Windows Me]] in 2000 as the final Windows 9x product before the introduction of [[Windows XP]] in 2001, which was based on the [[Windows NT]] architecture and kernel used in [[Windows 2000]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-millennium-edition-windows-me-faq|title=Windows Millennium Edition ("Windows Me") FAQ|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|work=[[IT Pro]]|date=October 6, 2010|access-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023202400/https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-millennium-edition-windows-me-faq|archive-date=October 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==New and updated features==

===Web integration and shell enhancements===
The first release of Windows 98 included Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1. This was updated to 5.0 in the Second Edition. Besides Internet Explorer, many other Internet companion applications are included such as [[Outlook Express]],<ref name=gs21>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=21}}</ref> [[Windows Address Book]], [[FrontPage Express]],<ref name=gs13>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=13}}</ref> [[Microsoft Chat]], [[Microsoft Personal Web Server|Personal Web Server]] and a Web Publishing Wizard, and [[NetShow]].<ref name=gs17>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=17}}</ref> [[NetMeeting]] allows multiple users to hold conference calls and work with each other on a document.<ref name=gs20>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=20}}</ref>

The Windows 98 [[Windows shell|shell]] is web-integrated;<ref name=gs12>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=12}}</ref> it contains deskbands, [[Active Desktop]], [[Active Channel|Channels]],<ref name=SCv6i6p133>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=133}}</ref> ability to minimize foreground windows by clicking their button on the taskbar,<ref name=gs9>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=9}}</ref> single-click launching, Back and Forward navigation buttons,<ref name=PCMAGp116/> favorites, and address bar in [[Windows Explorer]], image thumbnails,<ref name=gs55>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=55}}</ref> folder infotips and Web view in folders, and folder customization through [[HTML]]-based templates. The taskbar supports customizable toolbars designed to speed up access to the Web or the user's desktop; these toolbars include an Address Bar and [[Quick Launch]]. With the Address Bar, the user accesses the Web by typing in a URL, and Quick Launch contains shortcuts or buttons that perform system functions such as switching between windows and the desktop with the Show Desktop button.<ref name=gs14>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=14}}</ref> Another feature of this new shell is that [[Dialog box|dialog boxes]]{{clarify|date=October 2019}} show up in the Alt-Tab sequence.

Windows 98 also integrates shell enhancements such as [[LiteStep]], themes and other features from [[Microsoft Plus!|Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95]] such as [[DriveSpace]] 3, Compression Agent, Dial-Up Networking Server, Dial-Up Scripting Tool and [[Task Scheduler]]. Windows 98 had its own separately purchasable Plus! pack, called [[Microsoft Plus! 98|Plus! 98]].<ref name=PCMAGp427>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA427 427]}}</ref>

Title bars of windows and dialog boxes support two-color gradients, a feature ported from and refined from [[Microsoft Office 95]].<ref name=PCMAGp116>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA116 116]}}</ref> Windows menus and tooltips support slide animation. Windows Explorer in Windows 98, as in Windows 95, converts all-uppercase filenames to [[sentence case]] for readability purposes;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.08.windowsconfidential.aspx|title=Windows 'Prettified' Filenames|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827234228/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.08.windowsconfidential.aspx|archive-date=August 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> however, it also provides an option ''Allow all uppercase names'' to display them in their original case. Windows Explorer includes support for compressed [[Cabinet (file format)|CAB]] files.<ref name=RK24>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=24}}</ref> The ''Quick Res'' and ''Telephony Location Manager'' [[PowerToys#PowerToys for Windows 95|Windows 95 PowerToys]] are integrated into the core operating system.

===Improvements to hardware support===

====Windows Driver Model====
{{Main article|Windows Driver Model}}
[[File:Windows 98 architecture.svg|thumb|The Windows 98 architecture is set up as a tier of layers in which the higher layers depend on any component of the layers below them. The difference between the architectures of this and Windows 95 is that the Windows Driver Model can now be used to access the Windows 98 core and the registry.<ref name=architecture>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/cc768198(v=technet.10)|title=Chapter 28 – Windows 98 Architecture|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=February 19, 2014|access-date=October 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302054042/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/cc768198(v%3dtechnet.10)|archive-date=March 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=PCMAGp325/>]]

Windows 98 was the first operating system to use the [[Windows Driver Model]] (WDM). This fact was not well publicized when Windows 98 was released, and most hardware producers continued to develop drivers for the older [[VxD]] driver standard, which Windows 98 supported for compatibility's sake. The WDM standard only achieved widespread adoption years later, mostly through [[Windows 2000]] and [[Windows XP]], as they were not compatible with the older VxD standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244601/|title=How to troubleshoot unknown devices that are listed in Device Manager in Windows 2000|date=May 7, 2007|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717081308/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244601|archive-date=July 17, 2007}}</ref> With the Windows Driver Model, developers could write drivers that were compatible with other versions of Windows.<ref name=PCMAGp328>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA328 328]}}</ref> Device driver access in WDM is implemented through a VxD device driver, <code>NTKERN.VXD</code>, which implements several [[Windows NT]]-specific kernel support functions.<ref name=RK1322>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=1322}}</ref>

Support for WDM audio enables digital mixing, routing and processing of simultaneous audio streams, and [[kernel streaming]] with high-quality [[sample rate conversion]] on Windows 98. WDM Audio allows for software emulation of legacy hardware to support MS-DOS games, [[DirectSound]] support, and [[MIDI]] [[Sample-based synthesis|wavetable synthesis]]. The Windows 95 11-device limitation for MIDI devices is eliminated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may00/articles/pcmusician.htm|title=PC Solutions For MIDI Musicians|work=soundonsound.com|access-date=March 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110123947/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may00/articles/pcmusician.htm|archive-date=January 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> A Microsoft [[Roland GS|GS]] Wavetable Synthesizer licensed from [[Roland Corporation|Roland]] shipped with Windows 98 for WDM audio drivers. Windows 98 supports digital playback of [[audio CDs]], and the Second Edition improves WDM audio support by adding DirectSound [[hardware mixing]] and DirectSound 3D hardware abstraction, [[DirectMusic]] kernel support, [[KMixer]] sample-rate conversion for capture streams, and multichannel audio support. All audio is sampled by the Kernel Mixer to a fixed sampling rate, which may result in some audio getting upsampled or downsampled and having a high latency, except when using Kernel Streaming or third-party audio paths like [[Audio Stream Input/Output|ASIO]] which allow unmixed audio streams and lower latency. Windows 98 also includes a WDM streaming [[class driver]] (''Stream.sys'') to address real time multimedia data stream processing requirements and a WDM kernel-mode video transport for enhanced video playback and capture.

Windows Driver Model also includes [[Broadcast Driver Architecture]], the backbone for TV technologies support in Windows. [[WebTV]] for Windows utilized BDA to allow viewing television on the computer if a compatible [[TV tuner card]] is installed. TV listings could be updated from the Internet and WaveTop Data Broadcasting allowed extra data about broadcasts to be received via regular television signals using an antenna or cable, by embedding data streams into the [[vertical blanking interval]] portion of existing broadcast television signals.

====Other device support improvements====
Windows 98 had more robust USB support than Windows 95, which only had support in OEM versions OSR2.1 and later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253756|title=Availability of Universal Serial Bus Support in Windows 95|date=November 15, 2006|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304063841/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253756|archive-date=March 4, 2007}}</ref> Windows 98 supports [[USB hub]]s, USB scanners and imaging class devices. Windows 98 also introduced built-in support for some [[USB Human Interface Device class]] (USB HID) and PID class devices such as USB mice, keyboards, force feedback joysticks etc. including additional keyboard functions through a certain number of Consumer Page HID controls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/w2kbd.mspx|title=Human Interface Devices Design Guide|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|access-date=December 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222201727/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/w2kbd.mspx|archive-date=December 22, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Windows 98 also supports [[UDMA]], [[3DNow!]] and [[Streaming SIMD Extensions|SSE]].

Windows 98 introduced [[Advanced Configuration and Power Interface|ACPI]] 1.0 support which enabled ''Standby'' and ''[[Hibernation (computing)|Hibernate]]'' states. However, hibernation support was extremely limited and vendor-specific. Hibernation was only available if compatible (PnP) hardware and [[BIOS]] are present, and the hardware manufacturer or OEM supplied ACPI-compatible drivers. However, there are hibernation issues with the [[FAT32]] file system,<ref name="98I/O"/> making hibernation problematic and unreliable.

Windows 98, in general, provides improved — and a broader range of — support for IDE and SCSI drives and drive controllers, floppy drive controllers and all other classes of hardware as compared to Windows 95.<ref name="98I/O">{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/cc768180(v%3dtechnet.10)|title=Chapter 10 – Disks and File Systems|website=Microsoft Docs|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|language=en-us|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324082745/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/cc768180(v%3dtechnet.10)|archive-date=March 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> There is integrated [[Accelerated Graphics Port]] (AGP) support (although the USB Supplement to Windows 95 OSR2 and later releases of Windows 95 did have AGP support). Windows 98 has built-in DVD support and [[Universal Disc Format|UDF]] 1.02 read support. The Still imaging architecture (STI) with [[TWAIN]] support was introduced for scanners and cameras and Image Color Management 2.0 for devices to perform [[color space]] transformations.<ref name=RK509>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=509}}</ref> Multiple monitor support allows using up to nine multiple monitors on a single PC, with the feature requiring one [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] graphics adapter per monitor.<ref name=gs75>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=75}}</ref> Windows 98 shipped with [[DirectX]] 5.2,<ref name="maxpcdoctor">{{cite journal |title=SLI Odd Couples |journal=[[Maximum PC]] |date=January 1999 |volume=4 |issue=1 |page=75 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IgIAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PP79 |access-date=October 10, 2019 |issn=1522-4279 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929062320/https://books.google.com/books?id=IgIAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PP79 |url-status=live }}</ref> which notably included [[DirectShow]]. Windows 98 Second Edition would later ship with DirectX 6.1.<ref name="98qaNYT">{{cite web |author1=J. D. Biersdorfer |title=Q & A: Windows 98, 2d Edition |url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/1999/08/12/technology/12ask.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=October 10, 2019 |date=August 12, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010193003/http://movies2.nytimes.com/1999/08/12/technology/12ask.html |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Networking enhancements===
{{Main article|Winsock}}
Windows 98 networking enhancements to [[TCP/IP]] include built-in support for [[Winsock|Winsock 2]], [[Server Message Block|SMB]] signing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887429|title=Overview of Server Message Block signing|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|access-date=June 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120173639/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887429|archive-date=November 20, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> a new IP Helper API, [[Automatic Private IP Addressing]] (also known as link-local addressing), [[IP multicast]]ing, and performance enhancements for high-speed high bandwidth networks. [[Multihoming]] support with TCP/IP is improved and includes [[Routing Information Protocol|RIP]] listener support.

The [[DHCP]] client has been enhanced to include address assignment conflict detection and longer timeout intervals. [[NetBIOS over TCP/IP|NetBT]] configuration in the [[Windows Internet Naming Service|WINS]] client has been improved to continue persistently querying multiple WINS servers if it failed to establish the initial session until all of the WINS servers specified have been queried or a connection is established.

[[Network Driver Interface Specification]] 4 support means Windows 98 can support a wide range of network media, including [[Ethernet]], [[Fiber Distributed Data Interface]] (FDDI), [[Token Ring]], [[Asynchronous Transfer Mode]] (ATM), [[ISDN]], [[wide area network]]s, [[X.25]], and [[Frame Relay]]. Additional features include NDIS power management, support for [[quality of service]], [[Windows Management Instrumentation]] (WMI) and support for a single [[INF file]] format across all Windows versions.<ref name=RK572>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=572}}</ref>

Windows 98 Dial-Up Networking supports [[Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol|PPTP]] tunneling,<ref name=PCMAGp135>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA135 135]}}</ref> support for ISDN adapters, multilink support, and connection-time scripting to automate non-standard login connections. Multilink channel aggregation enables users to combine all available dial-up lines to achieve higher transfer speeds. [[Point-to-Point Protocol|PPP]] connection logs can show actual packets being passed and Windows 98 allows PPP logging per connection. The Dial-Up Networking improvements are also available in Windows 95 OSR2 and are downloadable for earlier Windows 95 releases.

For networked computers that have user profiles enabled, Windows 98 introduces Microsoft Family Logon which lists all users that have been configured for that computer, enabling users to simply select their names from a list rather than having to type them in.<ref name=RK798>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=798}}</ref>

Windows 98 supports [[IrDA]] 3.0 which specifies both Serial Infrared Devices and Fast Infrared devices, which are capable of sending and receiving data at 4&nbsp;Mbit/s. Infrared Recipient, a new application for transferring files through an infrared connection is included. The IrDA stack in Windows 98 supports networking profiles over the IrCOMM kernel-mode driver. Windows 98 also has built-in support for browsing [[Distributed File System (Microsoft)|Distributed File System]] trees on [[Server Message Block]] shares such as Windows NT servers.<ref name=RK688>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=688}}</ref><ref name=RK690>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=690}}</ref>

UPnP and NAT traversal APIs can be installed on Windows 98 by installing the [[Windows XP]] Network Setup Wizard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa939488(WinEmbedded.5).aspx|title=Network Setup Wizard Down Level Setup|date=April 14, 2010|work=[[Microsoft Developer Network]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022192342/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa939488(WinEmbedded.5).aspx|archive-date=October 22, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> An [[Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol#L2TP/IPsec|L2TP/IPsec]] [[Virtual private network|VPN]] client can also be downloaded. By installing Active Directory Client Extensions, Windows 98 can take advantage of several Windows 2000 [[Active Directory]] features.

===Improvements to the system and built-in utilities===

====Performance improvements====
Windows 95 introduced the 32-bit, protected-mode cache driver VCACHE (replacing SMARTDrv) to cache the most recently accessed information from the hard drive in memory, divided into chunks. However, the cache parameters needed manual tuning as it degraded performance by consuming too much memory and not releasing it quickly enough, forcing paging to occur far too early. The Windows 98 VCACHE cache size management for disk and network access, CD-ROM access and paging is more dynamic compared to Windows 95, resulting in no tuning being required for cache parameters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc768196.aspx|title=Chapter 26 – Performance Tuning|date=February 20, 2014|work=[[Microsoft Technet]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826132326/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc768196.aspx|archive-date=August 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On the FAT32 file system, Windows 98 has a performance feature called MapCache that can run applications from the disk cache itself if the code pages of executable files are aligned/mapped on 4K boundaries, instead of copying them to virtual memory. This results in more memory being available to run applications, and lesser usage of the swap file.

Windows 98 registry handling is more robust than Windows 95 to avoid corruption and there are several enhancements to eliminate limitations and improve registry performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc768201.aspx|title=Chapter 31 – Windows 98 Registry|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|date=February 20, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826175408/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc768201.aspx|archive-date=August 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Windows 95 registry key size limitation of 64&nbsp;KB is gone. The registry uses less memory and has better caching.<ref name=RK1437-8>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|pp=1437–1438}}</ref>

[[Disk Defragmenter (Windows)|Disk Defragmenter]] has been improved to rearrange program files that are frequently used to a hard disk region optimized for program start.<ref>{{cite book|title=Introducing Windows 98, Second edition}}</ref> Despite this, the quirk of the hard drive being rescanned if the contents of the hard drive had changed (denoted by the message "Drive contents changed....restarting.") is still present in this version, and remains identical to that of Windows 95. If it gets stuck on the same area too many times, the program would then ask the user to either continue scanning or give up. This quirk was removed with Windows Me's version of Disk Defragmenter, which can also work on Windows 98 or Windows 95 if it is simply copied over.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PC Hell: Defrag Does Not Complete - Solutions|url=https://www.pchell.com/support/defrag_does_not_complete.shtml|access-date=2020-07-19|website=www.pchell.com|archive-date=July 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702071708/http://www.pchell.com/support/defrag_does_not_complete.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Windows 98 also supports a ''Fast Shutdown'' feature that initiates shutdown without uninitializing [[device drivers]]. However, this can cause Windows 98 to hang instead of shutting down the computer if a buggy driver is active, so Microsoft supplied instructions for disabling the feature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187607|title=How to Disable Fast Shutdown in Windows 98|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505123756/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187607|archive-date=May 5, 2009}}</ref> Windows 98 supports write-behind caching for removable disk drives. A utility for converting [[FAT16]] partitions to FAT32 without formatting the partition is also included,<ref name=PCMAGp123>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA123 123]}}</ref> however it is not compatible with [[DriveSpace]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=www.helpwithwindows.com |last2=HelpWithWindows.com |first2=Arie Slob |date=14 July 1998 |title=Windows 98, FAT32 |url=http://www.helpwithwindows.com/windows98/fat32.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=HelpWithWindows.com |archive-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306205648/http://www.helpwithwindows.com/windows98/fat32.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other system tools===
A number of improvements are made to various other system tools and accessories in Windows 98. Microsoft Backup supports differential backup and [[SCSI]] [[Tape drive|tape]] devices in Windows 98. Disk Cleanup, a new tool, enables users to clear their disks of unnecessary files. Cleanup locations are extensible through Disk Cleanup handlers. Disk Cleanup can be automated for regular silent cleanups.<ref name=SCv6i6p44>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=44}}</ref>

Scanreg (DOS) and ScanRegW are Registry Checker tools used to back up, restore or optimize the [[Windows registry]]. ScanRegW tests the registry's integrity and saves a backup copy each time Windows successfully boots. The maximum number of copies could be customized by the user through "scanreg.ini" file. The restoration of a registry that causes Windows to fail to boot can only be done from DOS mode using ScanReg.<ref name=PCMAGp325>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA325 325]}}</ref>

[[Msconfig|System Configuration Utility]] is a new system utility used to disable programs and services that are not required to run the computer.<ref name=PCMAGp342>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA342 342]}}</ref> A Maintenance Wizard is included that schedules and automates [[SCANDISK|ScanDisk]], Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup.<ref name=gs79>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=79}}</ref> [[Windows Script Host]], with [[VBScript]] and [[JScript]] engines is built-in and upgradeable to version 5.6. [[System File Checker]] checks installed versions of system files to ensure they were the same version as the one installed with Windows 98 or newer. Corrupt or older versions are replaced by the correct versions.<ref name=PCMAGp131>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA131 131]}}</ref> This tool was introduced to resolve the [[DLL hell]] issue and was replaced in Windows Me by [[Windows File Protection|System File Protection]].

Windows 98 Setup simplifies installation, reducing the bulk of user input required.<ref name=RK22>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=22}}</ref> The Windows 98 Startup Disk contains generic, real-mode [[Parallel ATA#ATAPI|ATAPI]] and [[SCSI]] CD-ROM drivers that can be used instead in the event that the specific driver for a CD-ROM is unavailable.<ref name=RK75>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=75}}</ref>

The system could be updated using Windows Update.<ref name=PCMAGp131/> A utility to automatically notify the user of critical updates was later released.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorldMagazine|title=The Update update|last=Nott|first=Tim|magazine=[[Personal Computer World]]|date=May 1999|access-date=October 27, 2019|page=234}}</ref>

Windows 98 includes an improved version of the [[Dr. Watson (debugger)|Dr. Watson]] utility that collects and lists comprehensive information such as running tasks, startup programs with their command line switches, system patches, kernel driver, user drivers, DOS drivers and 16-bit modules. With Dr. Watson loaded in the system tray, whenever a software fault occurs (general protection fault, hang, etc.), Dr. Watson will intercept it and indicate what software crashed and its cause.<ref name=PCMAGp131/>

Windows Report Tool takes a snapshot of system configuration and lets users submit a manual problem report along with system information to technicians. It has e-mail confirmation for submitted reports.<ref name=PCMAGp342/>

====Accessories====
Windows 98 includes [[Magnifier (Windows)|Microsoft Magnifier]],<ref name=SCv6i6p31>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=31}}</ref> Accessibility Wizard and [[Microsoft Active Accessibility]] 1.1 API (upgradeable to MSAA 2.0.) A new [[HTML Help]] system with 15 Troubleshooting Wizards was introduced to replace [[WinHelp]].

Users can configure the font in [[Notepad (Windows)|Notepad]]. [[Microsoft Paint]] supports GIF transparency. [[HyperTerminal]] supports a TCP/IP connection method, which allows it to be used as a Telnet client. [[Imaging for Windows]] is updated. [[System Monitor]]—used to track the performance of hardware and software—supports output to a log file.<ref name=RK1221>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=1221}}</ref>

====Miscellaneous improvements====
* [[Telephony Application Programming Interface|Telephony API]] (TAPI) 2.1
* [[Distributed Component Object Model|DCOM]] version 1.2
* Ability to list fonts by similarity determined using [[PANOSE]] information.
* Tools to automate setup, such as Batch 98 and INFInst.exe, support error-checking, gathering information automatically to create an [[INF file]] directly from a machine's registry, customizing IE4, shell and desktop settings and adding custom drivers.
* Several other [[Resource Kit]] tools are included on the Windows 98 CD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/247024/en-us|title=Tools Included with the Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915025631/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/247024/tools-included-with-the-microsoft-windows-98-resource-kit|archive-date=September 15, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>
* Windows 98 has new system event sounds for ''Low Battery Alarm'' and ''Critical Battery Alarm''.
* Windows 98 also introduced new and updated system sounds. The new startup sound for Windows 98 was composed by Microsoft sound engineer Ken Kato, who considered it to be a "tough act to follow",<ref name="SpeakHertz">{{cite web|url=http://speakhertz.com/6706/interview-343-industries-audio-manager-ken-kato|title=Interview: 343 Industries Audio Manager – Ken Kato|date=February 19, 2014|website=SpeakHertz|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417135108/http://speakhertz.com/6706/interview-343-industries-audio-manager-ken-kato|archive-date=April 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> while the new shutdown sound was composed by [[Stan LePard]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=LePard |first=Stan |date=August 13, 2020 |title=Windows 98 Log Off UI Sound |url=https://soundcloud.com/stanlepard/windows-98-log-off-ui-sound |website=SoundCloud}}</ref> The newly updated system sounds were created by another Microsoft sound engineer, Bill Wolford.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolford |first=Bill |title=RESUME |url=http://vividsound.com/resume.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624070827/http://vividsound.com/resume.html |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |website=Vivid Sound Productions}}</ref>
* Windows 98 shipped with [[Flash Player]] and [[Shockwave Player]] preinstalled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macromedia+Shockwave(TM)+and+Flash(TM)+Players+Incorporated+Into...-a020957947|title=Macromedia Shockwave(TM) and Flash(TM) Players Incorporated Into Windows 98|work=Free Online Library|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520225041/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macromedia+Shockwave(TM)+and+Flash(TM)+Players+Incorporated+Into...-a020957947|archive-date=May 20, 2017|access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref>

==Windows 98 Second Edition {{anchor|SE}}==

'''Windows 98 Second Edition''' (often shortened to '''Windows 98 SE''' and sometimes to '''Win98 SE''' or '''98 SE''')<ref name=SmartSE>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/smartcomputing-magazine-v10i9|title=Windows 98 Second Edition|last=Sems|first=Marty|magazine=[[Smart Computing]]|date=September 1999|access-date=October 8, 2019|volume=10|issue=9|page=14}}</ref> is an updated version of Windows 98 released on June 10, 1999, about eight months before the release of the business-oriented [[Windows 2000]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-05-06 |title=Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) Review |url=https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-server/windows-98-second-edition-se-review |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406105819/https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-server/windows-98-second-edition-se-review |url-status=live }}</ref> It includes many bug fixes,<ref name=PCmagSE>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=93nBwQ5XIAwC&pg=PA35|title=Windows 98 Second Edition|last=Mendelson|first=Edward|magazine=[[PC Magazine]]|date=May 25, 1999|access-date=October 8, 2019|volume=18|issue=10|page=35|archive-date=September 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929062338/https://books.google.com/books?id=93nBwQ5XIAwC&pg=PA35|url-status=live}}</ref> improved WDM audio and modem support, improved USB support,<ref name=SmartSE/> added [[SSE2]] support, the replacement of Internet Explorer 4.0 with [[Internet Explorer 5|Internet Explorer 5.0]],<ref name=PCmagSE/> ''Web Folders'' ([[WebDAV]] namespace extension for Windows Explorer),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/195851|title=Overview of Web Folders in Internet Explorer 5|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|access-date=February 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105015555/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/195851|archive-date=January 5, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and related shell updates. Also included is basic [[Open Host Controller Interface|OHCI]]-compliant [[FireWire]] [[DV (video format)|DV]] camcorder support (MSDV class driver) and SBP-2 support for mass storage class devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg454506#E3AAC|title=The IEEE 1394 Driver Stack|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108214828/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg454506#E3AAC|archive-date=November 8, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Wake-On-LAN]] reenables suspended networked computers due to network activity, and Internet Connection Sharing allows multiple networked client computers to share an Internet connection via a single host computer.<ref name=PCmagSE/>

Other features in the update include DirectX 6.1 which introduced major improvements to DirectSound and the introduction of DirectMusic,<ref name=PCmagSE/> improvements to [[Asynchronous Transfer Mode]] support ([[Internet Protocol|IP]]/ATM, [[Point-to-Point Protocol|PPP]]/ATM and [[Winsock|WinSock 2/ATM]] support), Windows Media Player 6.1 replacing the older Media Player 4.1,<ref name=SmartSE/> Microsoft NetMeeting 3.0,<ref name=SCv6i6p38>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=38}}</ref> [[Microsoft Data Access Components|MDAC 2.1]] and WMI. A memory overflow issue was resolved in which earlier versions of Windows 98 would crash most systems if left running for 49.7 days (equal to 2<sup>32</sup> milliseconds); this bug was also present on its predecessor, Windows 95.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miles|first=Stephanie|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1040-222391.html|title=Windows may crash after 49.7 days|publisher=CNET|date=March 2, 1999|access-date=March 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615045104/http://news.cnet.com/2100-1040-222391.html|archive-date=June 15, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Windows 98 SE could be obtained as retail upgrade and full version packages, as well as OEM and a Second Edition Updates Disc for existing Windows 98 users. USB audio device class support is present from Windows 98 SE onwards. Windows 98 Second Edition improved WDM support in general for all devices, and it introduced support for WDM for modems (and therefore USB modems and virtual [[COM (hardware interface)|COM]] ports). However, Microsoft driver support for both USB printers and [[USB mass-storage device class]] is not available for Windows 98.

===Removed features===
The [[Active Channel]]s Channel bar from the original release of Windows 98 is not installed upon first boot, however it is retained when upgrading from the original release of Windows 98 to Windows 98 Second Edition.

Windows 98 Second Edition did not ship with the [[WinG]] API or [[RealPlayer]] 4.0, unlike the original release of Windows 98, due to both of these having been superseded by DirectX and Windows Media Player, respectively. On the other hand, [[ActiveMovie]] still exists in Windows 98 Second Edition despite having been superseded by Windows Media Player.

==Upgradeability==
Several components of Windows 98 can be updated to newer versions. These include:
* [[Internet Explorer 6|Internet Explorer 6 SP1]] and [[Outlook Express]] 6 SP1
* Windows Media Format Runtime and [[Windows Media Player 9 series|Windows Media Player 9 Series]]
* [[Windows Media Encoder]] 7.1 and Windows Media 8 Encoding Utility
* [[DirectX|DirectX 9.0c]] (the latest compatible runtime is from October 2007.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-my/download/details.aspx?id=34429|title=DirectX 9.0c End-User Runtime|date=October 17, 2007|publisher=Microsoft Download Center|access-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617012504/http://www.microsoft.com/en-my/download/details.aspx?id=34429|archive-date=June 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Windows Live Messenger|MSN Messenger 7.0]]
* Significant features from newer Microsoft operating systems can be installed on Windows 98. Chief among them are [[.NET Framework]] version 2.0, the [[Visual C++]] 2005 runtime, [[Windows Installer]] 2.0, the [[GDI+]] redistributable library, [[Remote Desktop Connection]] client 5.2 and the [[Text Services Framework]].
* Several other components such as [[MSXML]] 3.0 SP7, [[Microsoft Agent]] 2.0, NetMeeting 3.01, [[Microsoft Active Accessibility|MSAA 2.0]], [[ActiveSync]] 3.8, [[Windows Script Host|WSH]] 5.6, [[Microsoft Data Access Components]] 2.81 SP1, WMI 1.5 and [[Microsoft Speech API|Speech API]] 4.0.
* [[Office XP]] SP3<ref name="OfficeXPSystemRequirements">{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/office/evaluation/sysreqs.asp |title=System Requirements |date=May 30, 2001 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Office Support |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021201084248/http://www.microsoft.com/office/evaluation/sysreqs.asp |archive-date=December 1, 2002 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Although Windows 98 does not fully support [[Unicode]], certain Unicode applications can run if the Microsoft Layer for Unicode is installed. {{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

==System requirements==
The majority of copies of Windows 98 were distributed in [[CD-ROM]] format. A {{frac|3|1|2}}-inch floppy disk version was available for older machines, albeit only via mail order. The floppy disk version of Windows 98 came on 39 [[Distribution Media Format|DMF]] formatted floppy disks and excluded some additional software components that the CD-ROM version might have featured. The original release of Windows 98 was the last version of Windows to be available on floppy disks, as Windows 98 Second Edition was only available on CD-ROMs. [[Microsoft Plus!]] for Windows 98 was also only available on CD-ROMs.

The two major versions of Windows 98 have minimum requirements needed to be run.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 90%"
|-
|+Minimum system requirements
!rowspan="2"|Field
!colspan="2"|System
!class="unsortable" rowspan="2"|Comments
|-
!class="unsortable"|Windows 98<ref name=gs98>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=26}}</ref>
!class="unsortable"|Second Edition<ref name=SCv6i6p30>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=30}}</ref>
|-
!Processor
|colspan="2"|[[Intel 80486]] 66&nbsp;MHz or higher
|Pentium processor recommended<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/189670|title=Err Msg: Windows 98 Requires a Computer with a Math Coprocessor|date=January 23, 2007|website=Microsoft Support|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026121053/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/189670|archive-date=October 26, 2012|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref>
|-
!RAM
|16&nbsp;MB
|24&nbsp;MB
|24&nbsp;MB recommended; it is possible to run on 8&nbsp;MB machines with /nm option used during the installation process
|-
!Storage
|colspan="2"|
*Upgrading from Windows 3.1 or 95: 120–295&nbsp;MB (typically 195&nbsp;MB).
*New installation (FAT16): 165–355&nbsp;MB (typically 225&nbsp;MB).
*New installation (FAT32): 140–255&nbsp;MB (typically 175&nbsp;MB).
|The amount of space required depends on the installation method and the components selected, but virtual memory and system utilities as well as drivers should be taken into consideration.
|-
!Display
|colspan="2"|[[VGA]] or higher resolution monitor (640×480)
|
|-
!Media drive
|colspan="2"|CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
|Floppy install is possible but slow<!-- Floppy disk install was available from Product Support, but this does not belong in the article. -->
|-
!Input
|colspan="2"|Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
|
|}

Users can bypass processor requirement checks with the undocumented /NM setup switch. This allows installation on computers with processors as old as the [[Intel 80386]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qk4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45|title=Exploring the latest secrets and tips for using Windows 98|last=Livingston|first=Brian|magazine=[[InfoWorld]]|date=September 13, 1999|access-date=October 26, 2019|volume=21|issue=37|page=45|archive-date=May 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530005528/https://books.google.com/books?id=qk4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Limitations ===
The original release of Windows 98 may fail to boot on computers with a processor faster than 2.1&nbsp;GHz. The Active Channels Channel bar will also not set up properly on computers with a processor faster than 1.5&nbsp;GHz.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Windows 98 is only designed to handle up to 512&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] of RAM without changes;<ref name="Microsoft_2007_KB253912">{{cite web|title="Out of Memory" Error Messages with Large Amounts of RAM Installed|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253912/EN-US|edition=2.1|date=2007-01-27|work=Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=2013-09-03|id=253912|quote=If a computer running Windows contains more than 512 megabytes (for example, 768 megabytes) of physical memory (RAM), you may experience one or more of the following symptoms: You may be unable to open an MS-DOS session (or command prompt) while Windows is running. Attempts to do so may generate the following error message: "There is not enough memory available to run this program." The computer may stop responding (hang) while Windows is starting, or halt and display the following error message: "Insufficient memory to initialize Windows."|archive-date=September 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922050847/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253912/EN-US|url-status=dead}}</ref> the maximum amount of RAM the operating system is designed to use is up to 1&nbsp;[[Gigabyte|GB]] of RAM. Systems with more than 1.5&nbsp;GB of RAM may continuously reboot during startup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304943|title=Computer May Reboot Continuously with More Than 1.5 GB of RAM|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602223109/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/304943|quote=Windows Me and Windows 98 are not designed to handle more than 1&nbsp;GB of RAM. More than 1&nbsp;GB can lead to potential system instability.|archive-date=June 2, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>

Windows 98 may have problems running on hard drives of capacities larger than 32&nbsp;GB in systems with certain Phoenix BIOS configurations. A software update fixed this shortcoming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WURecommended/S_WUFeatured/bigide/Default.asp|title=Windows 98 Large IDE Update|date=December 28, 1999|work=Microsoft Windows Update|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001205173800/http://www.microsoft.com/Windows98/downloads/contents/WURecommended/S_WUFeatured/bigide/Default.asp|archive-date=December 5, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref>

==Support lifecycle==
Computers running Windows 98 can be directly upgraded to Windows XP, providing they meet the requirements for Windows XP. Support for Windows 98 under Microsoft's consumer product life cycle policy was originally planned to end on June 30, 2003,<ref name="w98cycle1">{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycleconsumer.mspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021211153658/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycleconsumer.mspx|archive-date=2002-12-11|title=Windows Desktop Product Life Cycle Support and Availability Policies for Consumers|website=www.microsoft.com|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> however, in December 2002,<ref name="w98upd2k6faq">{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/lifewinextndfaq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080804/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/lifewinextndfaq|archive-date=2016-03-06|title=Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Support Extended @ Archive.org|website=support.microsoft.com|access-date=August 24, 2020}}</ref> Microsoft extended the support window to January 16, 2004.<ref name="w98cycle2">{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/lifecycleconsumer.mspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030224124551/http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/lifecycleconsumer.mspx|archive-date=2003-02-24|title=Windows Desktop Product Life Cycle Support and Availability Policies for Consumers|website=www.microsoft.com|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> This date would then be extended again to June 30, 2006 on January 13, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240054102/Microsoft-extends-Win-98-and-ME-support-to-2006|title=Microsoft extends Win 98 and ME support to 2006|website=www.computerweekly.com|access-date=April 25, 2021|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091300/https://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240054102/Microsoft-extends-Win-98-and-ME-support-to-2006|url-status=live}}</ref> up to a final end of support date of July 11, 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx|title=Windows End of support for Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows XP Service Pack 1|access-date=August 24, 2020|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121152144/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx|archive-date=2006-11-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> citing support volumes in emerging markets as the reason for the extension.<ref name="w98upd2k6faq"/>

Retail availability for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002,<ref name="w98cycle2"/> and later became completely unavailable from Microsoft in any form (through [[Microsoft_Developer_Network#Software_subscriptions|MSDN]] or otherwise) due to the terms of Java-related settlements Microsoft made with Sun Microsystems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ff723773.aspx|title=What products are included with MSDN subscriptions?|work=[[Microsoft Developer Network]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829015218/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ff723773.aspx|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=August 24, 2020}}</ref>

In 2011, Microsoft retired the Windows Update v4 website.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2023-07-10 |title=Windows 95, 98, and other decrepit versions can grab online updates again |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/windows-95-98-and-other-decrepit-versions-can-grab-online-updates-again/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us}}</ref> An independent project named Windows Update Restored aims to restore the Windows Update websites for older versions of Windows, including Windows 98.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyson |first=Mark |date=2023-07-09 |title='Windows Update Restored' Site Provides Updates for Classic Windows Versions |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-update-restored-site-provides-updates-for-classic-windows-versions |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=[[Tom's Hardware]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==Reception==
Windows 98 was released to positive reviews, with praise directed to its improved graphical user interface and customizability, ease of use,<ref name=SCrev>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/smartcomputing-magazine-v9i8|title=Smart Computing|publisher=[[Sandhills Publishing]]|date=August 1998|volume=9|issue=8}}</ref>{{rp|30–31}}<ref name=PCCrev/> and the degree to which it addressed complaints that users and critics had with Windows 95.<ref name=PCCrev>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Computing_1998_07|title=Windows 98: Worth the Wait?|last=Bott|first=Ed|magazine=[[PC Computing]]|date=July 1998|pages=80–81}}</ref> Michael Sweet of ''[[Smart Computing]]'' characterized it as heavily integrating features of the web browser, and found file and folder navigation easier.<ref name=SCrev/>{{rp|30–31}} [[Ed Bott]] of ''[[PC Computing]]'' lauded the bug fixes, easier troubleshooting, and support for hardware advances such as DVD players and USB. However, he also found that the operating system crashed only slightly less frequently, and criticized the high upgrade price and system requirements. He rated it four stars out of five.<ref name=PCCrev/>

===Sales===
Windows 98 sold 530,000 licenses in its first four days of availability, overtaking Windows 95's 510,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/business/microsoft-s-windows-98-sells-much-better-than-expected.html|title=Microsoft's Windows 98 Sells Much Better Than Expected|last=Lohr|first=Steve|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 1, 1998|access-date=October 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527073059/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/business/microsoft-s-windows-98-sells-much-better-than-expected.html|archive-date=May 27, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It later sold a total of 580,000 and 350,000 licenses in the first and second months of availability, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/windows-xp-sales-lag/|title=Windows XP sales lag|work=[[CNET]]|date=January 31, 2002|access-date=October 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007224832/https://www.cnet.com/news/windows-xp-sales-lag/|archive-date=October 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the first year of its release, Windows 98 sold a total of 15 million licenses – 2 million more than its predecessor. However, [[International Data Corporation]] estimated that of the roughly 89 million shipped computers in the desktop market, the operating system had a market share of 17.2 percent, compared to Windows 95's 57.4 percent. Meanwhile, the two operating systems continued to observe a trend whereby Windows 98 improved in sales performance, whereas Windows 95 dwindled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/windows-95-remains-most-popular-operating-system/|title=Windows 95 remains most popular operating system|website=[[CNET]]|date=July 20, 1999|access-date=October 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723024325/https://www.cnet.com/news/windows-95-remains-most-popular-operating-system/|archive-date=July 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> After a [[Sun Microsystems v. Microsoft|legal dispute]] and subsequent settlement with [[Sun Microsystems]] over the former's [[Microsoft Java Virtual Machine|Java Virtual Machine]], Microsoft ceased distributing the operating system on December 15, 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/113807/article.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803230427/https://www.pcworld.com/article/113807/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 3, 2020|title=Microsoft Yanks Older Products|last=Evers|first=Joris|work=[[PCWorld]]|date=December 8, 2003|access-date=October 27, 2019}}</ref> and IDC estimated that a total of 58 million copies were installed worldwide by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/114280/article.html|title=Microsoft Extends Win 98 Support|last=Evers|first=Joris|work=[[PCWorld]]|date=January 12, 2004|access-date=October 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506234740/https://www.pcworld.com/article/114280/article.html|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite manual|ref={{harvid|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998}}|url=https://archive.org/details/gettingstartedmi00micr|title=Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=1998|access-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=registration}}
*{{Cite book|ref={{harvid|Resource Kit|1998}}|title=Windows 98 Resource Kit|location=Redmond, Washington, USA|publisher=[[Microsoft Press]]|year=1998|isbn=1-57231-644-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781572316447}}
*{{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|PC Magazine, August|1998}}|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC|title=PC Magazine|date=August 1998|access-date=October 9, 2019|volume=17|issue=14|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806015857/https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC|url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|Smart Computing, June|2000}}|url=https://archive.org/details/smartcomputing-learning-series-v6i6|title=Smart Computing|date=June 2000|access-date=October 10, 2019|volume=6|issue=6}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|last1=Davis|first1=Fred|first2=Kip|last2=Crosby|title=The Windows 98 Bible|location= Berkeley, California|publisher=Peachpit Press|year=1998|isbn=0-201-69690-8}}

==External links==
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* "[https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.windows.com/windows98/ Windows 98]."&nbsp;– Microsoft (Archive)
* [http://www.guidebookgallery.org/guis/windows/win98 GUIdebook: Windows 98 Gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927085131/http://www.guidebookgallery.org/guis/windows/win98 |date=September 27, 2010 }}&nbsp;– A website dedicated to preserving and showcasing Graphical User Interfaces

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[[Category:Windows 98| ]]
[[Category:1998 software]]
[[Category:1999 software]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2006]]
[[Category:Microsoft Windows|98]]
[[Category:DOS variants]]
[[Category:IA-32 operating systems]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1998]]