Windows 98 User Interface
Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis) is an operating system developed by Microsoft and is the second major release in the Windows 9x operating system line released in 1998. It was designed as an evolution of Windows 95 and introduced features such as the Windows Driver Model, Internet Explorer 4.0 (which included Active Desktop, Windows Desktop Update, and integration with Windows Explorer itself),[1] FAT32 file system (though this was already part of the OEM-only Windows 95 OSR2 two years earlier) and improved setup. It is the first version of Windows to include the Windows Desktop Update by default, an addition which carried over to the NT-based Windows 2000 in 1999.
Two versions of Windows 98 were released: the original release in 1998, known simply as "Windows 98" and sometimes retroactively called "First Edition", and "Windows 98 Second Edition" in 1999. The latter fixed major issues from the original release, updated Internet Explorer to version 5.0, included updated drivers and introduced features such as Internet Connection Sharing. Mainstream support for both releases ended on 2002-06-30, and extended support was discontinued later on 2006-07-11—together with Windows Me.
It succeeded all releases of Windows 95 and was itself succeeded by Windows Me in 2000. Over the years it became one of the more popular releases of Windows, though its changes to the shell were criticized by some.
There is 98Lite, Which 98Lite uses to Removing Internet Explorer, including 3 Types: Sleek, Chubby, Overweight and 98Micro, 98Lite also Compatible for Windows ME.
System Requirements
According to Microsoft, Windows 98 requires a 486DX2 66 MHz processor, at least 16 MB of RAM, 175 MB of hard drive space (varies depending on components being installed), and a VGA or better display adapter.[2] The original version of Windows 98 is the last version to be available on 3.5" floppy disks via a mail order, as the Second Edition was only released on CD-ROM discs.
It is possible to bypass most of these requirements via the /nm parameter for SETUP.EXE. By doing so, it becomes possible to install the original release of Windows 98 on an 80386 processor with as low as 4 MB of RAM.
Hardware Compatibility
The original release of Windows 98 does not support AMD processors faster than 350 MHz and Intel processors faster than 2.1 GHz due to divide by zero bugs from timer calibration in several drivers.[3] Additionally, Windows 98 (both the original release and Second Edition) does not support having more than 1 GB of RAM due to a bug in the memory allocator.[4][5] Windows 98 will often encounter system instability or crashing upon boot on these systems without additional fixes.
Product Team Credits Easter Egg
This Easter egg showcases the people who worked on the operating system during development, much in the same fashion as the one in Windows 95. There are two methods of accessing it. The first method involves navigating to WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Welcome and creating a shortcut for Weldata.exe. At the end of the target textbox in the shortcut properties, add the phrase "You_are_a_real_rascal" without quotes after a space and select the Minimized run option. The second method requires going into the Control Panel and opening Regional Settings. This method is more difficult as it requires spotting and clicking three places on the map, which are Memphis, Egypt; Memphis, USA; and Redmond, USA.
List of Known Builds
Pre-Alpha (Detroit)
4.03.1154 
4.03.1174 4.10.1221 4.10.1233 Alpha
4.10.1381 Beta 1
4.10.1411 4.10.1425 4.10.1525.5 4.10.1538 Beta 2 (Windows 98)
4.10.1543 4.10.1544 4.10.1545 4.10.1546 (Beta 2) 4.10.1546.2 4.10.1546.7 4.10.1551 4.10.1556 4.10.1559 4.10.1576 4.10.1577 4.10.1581 4.10.1595 4.10.1596 4.10.1598 Beta 2.1 (Windows 98)
4.10.1602 (Beta 2.1) 4.10.1612 4.10.1619 4.10.1624 Beta 3 (Windows 98)
4.10.1629 4.10.1633 4.10.1650 4.10.1650.3 4.10.1650.7 4.10.1650.8 (Beta 3) 4.10.1658 4.10.1671 Release Candidate 0
4.10.1687 4.10.1691.3 (RC0_ Pre-Release Candidate 1
4.10.1713 4.10.1720 Release Candidate 1
4.10.1721 4.10.1721.3 (RC1) Release Candidate 2
4.10.1723.4 (RC2) Release Candidate 3
4.10.1900.5 (RC3) Release Candidate 4
4.10.1900.4 4.10.1900.6 (RC4) 98 RTM
4.10.1998 4.10.1998.2 4.10.1998.5 Second Edition
Second Edition was originally meant to be released as a Service Pack 1 update for First Edition users, as well as a full OEM Service Release, just like Windows 95 OSR 2.x. Early builds were thus made in both forms before SP1 was canceled and OSR1 rebranded as Second Edition that would also be available in retail stores.
98 Multimedia Update/Service Pack 1 Alpha
98 Multimedia Update/Service Pack 1 Beta
{{{2}}} {{{2}}} {{{2}}} 98 Second Edition Betas
4.10.2126 4.10.2131 4.10.2150A 4.10.2150.4 (Beta 2) 4.10.2170A 4.10.2183A 4.10.2184 4.10.2185A 98 Second Edition RTM
References
- ↑ Internet Explorer 4.0 and true Web Integration, CMP Web Review. 31 October 1997.
- ↑ How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating System, Microsoft Support. 2004-12-20. Archived from the original on 2005-01-04.
- ↑ Windows protection error in NDIS with a CPU that is faster than 2.1 GHz, Microsoft Support. 2007-01-30. Archived from the original on 2007-02-09.
- ↑ Chen, Raymond. Windows 95 doesn’t boot with more than 1GB of RAM, The Old New Thing. 2003-08-14.
- ↑ Computer May Reboot Continuously with More Than 1.5 GB of RAM, Microsoft Support. 2004-12-17. Archived from the original on 2006-11-16.