(
Codename '''Memphis''') is a graphical
Operating System released on
June 25 1998 by
Microsoft .
The new operating system was essentially an updated version of
Windows 95 , and like that earlier version, it was a hybrid
16-bit /
32-bit product. Among its features were better
AGP support, functional
USB drivers, and support for multiple monitors and
WebTV . As in later releases of Windows 95,
Internet Explorer continued to be integrated into the
Windows Explorer interface (a feature which was called ''
Active Desktop ''). It was also the first version of Windows to support
ACPI .
Although the upgrade sold well from the outset, Windows 98 was substantially larger and slower than Windows 95 and the original release had a significant number of compatibility and stability issues.
Windows 98 had some tweaks with its GUI but was still Windows 95 with the Windows 98 logo, numerous bug fixes and with better compatibility for hardware and software.
During a demonstration of Windows 98 a couple of months before its initial release, meant to show its improved and simpler to use system,
Bill Gates , CEO of Microsoft at the time, was acually testing the OS but crashed when he plugged in a scanner. This caused some controversy as to whether Windows 98 was a stable system, but still sold well anyway irrespective of that scenario.
Windows 98 "First Edition" is designated by the internal version numbers 4.10.1998 or 4.10.1998A if it has been updated with the Security CD from Microsoft.
(Windows 98 SE) was released on
May 5 1999 . It included fixes for many minor issues, the replacement of
Internet Explorer 4 with the significantly faster and lighter Internet Explorer 5, and
Internet Connection Sharing , which allowed multiple computers on a
LAN to share a single Internet connection through
Network Address Translation . Also added was
Netmeeting 3, and support for
DVD Playback .
Though it was a successful product, it was not a free upgrade for Windows 98 (first edition) customers.
Windows 98 was succeeded by
Windows Me when a "consumer" version of
Windows 2000 (code-named
Windows Neptune ) was abandoned;
Windows Me was in turn succeeded by
Windows XP Home Edition .
Windows 98 Second Edition is designated by the internal version numbers 4.10.2222A or 4.10.2222B if it has been updated with the Security CD from Microsoft.
The system requirements of Windows 98 Second Edition are: a 66 MHz 486 processor, 16 MB RAM and at least 195 MB of free hard disk space.
