Windows 98

Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis) is an operating system developed by Microsoft. 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 and Windows Desktop Update), FAT32 file system (though this was already part of the OEM-only Windows 95 OSR2 two years earlier) and an improved setup.

Two versions of Windows 98 were released: the original release in 1998, know 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, and included updated drivers.

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.

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 SP1. Early builds were thus made in both forms, before SP1 was cancelled and OSR1 rebranded as Second Edition that would also be available in retail stores.