This fact was not widely known when Windows 98 was launched. Most hardware manufacturers continued to create drivers for the VxD driver standard, which Windows 98 supported for its compatibility. Because they were not compatible in any way with the VxD standard, WDM standards only gained widespread acceptance years later. This was mostly due to Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Developers could create drivers compatible with different versions of Windows using the Windows Driver Model. WDM’s device driver access is implemented by NTKERN.VDX implements several Windows NT-specific kernel support functions. Windows 98 sold 15 million licenses in its first year, 2 million more than its predecessor. International Data Corporation estimates that Windows 98 had a 17.2 percent market share, compared with Windows 95’s 57.3 percent. The two operating systems also continued to see a trend in which Windows 98 saw an increase in sales, while Windows 95’s declined.
Windows 98
Password 123
TWAIN support was added to scanners and cameras. Image Color Management 2.0 is available for devices that perform color space transformations. Multiple monitor support allows you to use up to nine monitors on one PC. This feature requires only one PCI graphics adapter for each monitor.
Removed Features
After receiving a round of applause from the crowd, Bill Gates said that “That must be why Windows 98 isn’t shipping yet.” This event was captured on video and became an internet sensation. A “C” is a bonus Windows 95 B version that includes the Plus Pack for Windows 95. You can also use the version numbers listed before the “A” and “B” identifications to locate the Windows 95 release. Second Edition was originally intended to be released as both a Service Pack 1 upgrade for First Edition users and a full OEM Service Release. It is identical to Windows 95 SP1. Before SP1 was canceled, early builds were made in both formats. OSR1 was rebranded as Second Edition and would be also available in retail shops.
This allows for installation on older processors such as the Intel 80386. Windows 98 can install significant features from older Microsoft operating systems. Among them is the.NET Framework versions 1.0 and 1.1, Visual C++ 2005 runtime, and Windows Installer 2.0. Also, the GDI+ redistributable libraries, Remote Desktop Connection client 5.2, and the Text Services Framework. When a software fault occurs (general protection fault, hang), Dr. Watson will be loaded in the system tray. Dr. Watson will intercept the error and inform you of its cause.
The System Configuration Utility, a new utility that disables programs and services not necessary to run the computer, is now available. The Maintenance Wizard schedules and automates Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, and ScanDisk. Windows Script Host is available with VBScript or JScript engines and can be upgraded to version 5.6. System File Checker verifies that the version of system files installed is the same as the one that was installed with Windows 98. The correct versions replace corrupted or outdated versions. This tool was created to fix the DLL hell problem and was replaced by System File Protection in Windows Me. Network Driver Interface Specification 5 supports Windows 98 to support a wide variety of network media including Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Digital Interface, Token Ring, Asynchronous Transfer Mode. ISDN, wide-area networks, X.25 and Frame Relay.
Final Release
The CD-ROM includes 3D Pinball Space Cadet, but it is not automatically installed. In March 1999, Windows 98 Second Edition, a second major operating system version was released. Microsoft completed the final build on April 23rd, 1999 before releasing it publicly on May 5th, 1999. Windows 98 was to become the final product of the Windows 9x series. However, Microsoft briefly revived this line to release Windows Me 2000 in 2000. Microsoft had secretly marketed the operating software as a “tune-up” to Windows 95. It was compiled under Windows 98 on May 11, 1998, and released to manufacturing on May 15, 1998.
3, Compression Agent. 3D Pinball is available on the CD-ROM, but it is not installed by default. Windows 98 was developed in the 1990s. At first, the codename “Memphis”, which refers to the product, was used. Numerous builds were released and leaked. The first was build 1351, which was released on December 15, 1996. This was followed by Windows 98 Second Edition. Office XP was the last version of Microsoft Office compatible with Windows 98.
Hardware Support Improvements
WDM Audio supports legacy hardware-software emulation to support MS-DOS games and DirectSound. Windows 98 shipped with a Roland Microsoft GS Wavetable Synthesizer. Windows 98 includes a WDM streaming driver (Stream. sys), which addresses real-time multimedia data stream processing needs, and a WDM kernel mode video transport for enhanced video capture and playback. Windows 98 was originally the first operating system that used the Windows Driver Model.
Windows 98 generally provides better support for IDE/SCSI drives, drive controllers, and all other types of hardware than Windows 95. Windows 98 includes DVD support and UDF 1.02 reading support.
Windows 98 can hang instead of shutting off if a buggy driver is active. Microsoft has provided instructions to disable the feature. Windows 98 supports write-behind caching for removable drive drives. Also included is a utility that converts FAT16 partitions into FAT32 without formatting them. Windows Memphis Beta 1 was released on June 30, 1997. This was Memphis’ first beta release. Windows 98 Beta 2 followed, which dropped the Memphis name. It was released in July. Microsoft planned a complete Windows 98 release for 1998’s first quarter. It also planned a Windows 98 upgrade package for Windows 95. However, it had a similar upgrade plan for Windows 3.x operating system systems for the second quarter. Windows 98, an operating system heavily web-integrated, shares many similarities with its predecessor.
Microsoft’s consumer product cycle policy for Windows 98 support was originally scheduled to expire on June 30, 2003. However, Microsoft extended the support window until January 16, 2004, in December 2002. The support window would be extended on January 13th, 2004. Microsoft cited support volumes in emerging markets for the end date. Windows 98 doesn’t fully support Unicode but certain Unicode apps can be run if the Microsoft Layer is installed. Windows 98 can install UPnP or NAT traversal APIs by using the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard.
It was the first Windows operating platform to adopt the Windows Driver Model. Disk Cleanup and Windows Update were also included in this operating system. Future versions of Windows will include multi-monitor support, Disk Cleanup, Disk Connection Sharing, Disk Cleanup, Windows Update, and Multi-monitor Support. 3.0 includes both Serial Infrared Devices (and Fast Infrared Devices) that can send and receive data at 4 Mbit/s. The Infrared Receiver, a new application that allows files to be transferred over an infrared connection, is also included. Windows 98’s IrDA stack supports networking profiles.
A scanreg.ini file allows the user to customize the maximum number of copies. Only DOS mode can be used to restore a registry that causes Windows not to boot. Also included is a FAT32 converter utility that converts FAT16 drives into FAT32 without formatting the part. A major overhaul is a heavy emphasis on web integration. Internet Explorer is now available in the help system, many of the applications, and even on the desktop. Windows 98 uses the same “MS-DOS 7.1”, which has FAT32 support, as Windows 95 OSR2, but also supports USB. Windows 98 was released in two major versions: a First Edition as well as a Second Edition.
Windows 98 System Requirements
- Memory (RAM): 24MB of RAM required.
- Hard Disk Space: 500MB of free space required.
- Processor: 33Mhz .