Windows 98

Windows 98

Version of Microsoft Windows
OS family	Windows 9x
Version	4.10
Codename	Memphis
Architecture	x86 (IBM PC/AT, NEC PC-98)
Latest build	4.10.2222B (98 SE)
Release date	1998-06-25 (original release) 1999-05-05 (Second Edition)
Support end	2006-07-11
Replaces
Windows 95
Replaced by
Windows Me

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.), FAT32 file system (though this was already part of the OEM-only Windows 95 OSR2 two years earlier) and improved setup.

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.

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 through the Active Desktop were criticized by some.

This is the last version of Windows to be available on 3.5-inch floppy disks for the original release only, as Second Edition was never officially distributed on floppy disks. It is also the last version of Windows 9x to support the PC-98 platform of x86 computers.

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. Windows 98 drops support for EGA display adapter. Windows 98 Second Edition drops support for floppy-based installation and requires a CD-ROM drive to install.

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. 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. Windows 98 will often encounter system instability or crashing upon boot on these systems without additional fixes.

Product Team credits Easter Egg

Keeping with the tradition of hiding easter eggs, Microsoft hid an easter egg for Windows 98 to showcase the people who worked on the development. But interestingly, there are two ways to access it. The first way to access the Easter egg involves going into the Welcome Directory. Once there, find the program Weldata.exe. Then, right-click on the executable and create a shortcut to that program. Once that is done, right-click on the shortcut, click Properties, and place your cursor at the end of the textbox. Add the phrase "You_are_a_real_rascal". Then, go to the Run section of the dialog box and choose the Minimized option, then press OK. Running the program as usual results in Windows 98's version of the Product Team Easter Egg. This is a little more animated than the Windows 95 version and plays the soundtrack first heard when the Welcome menu appears. The second way to access this easter egg involves going into the Control Panel and opening up the Regional Settings. This method is more tedious as you have to spot three places on the map, which are Memphis, Egypt; Memphis, USA; and Redmond, USA.

List of known builds

Original release

This release is known simply as "Windows 98" and also retroactively referred to as the "First Edition".

Developer Release

4.10.1050

4.10.1113

4.10.1132

4.10.1351

4.10.1353

4.10.1387

4.10.1397

Beta 1

4.10.1400

4.10.1410

4.10.1411

4.10.1415

4.10.1421

4.10.1423

4.10.1434

4.10.1488

4.10.1500

4.10.1505

4.10.1509

4.10.1511

4.10.1513

4.10.1518

4.10.1525 (1997-06-18)

4.10.1525 (1997-06-24)

Beta 2

4.10.1526

4.10.1532

4.10.1538

4.10.1544

4.10.1546

Beta 2.1

4.10.1559

4.10.1564

4.10.1569

4.10.1572

4.10.1577

4.10.1581.1

4.10.1582

4.10.1588

4.10.1593

4.10.1602

Beta 3

4.10.1605

4.10.1611

4.10.1614

4.10.1619

4.10.1624

4.10.1629

4.10.1633

4.10.1650

4.10.1650.3

4.10.1650.8

Release Candidate 0

4.10.1658

4.10.1666

4.10.1671

4.10.1676

4.10.1677

4.10.1681

4.10.1686

4.10.1687

4.10.1691.3

Release Candidate 1

4.10.1693

4.10.1702

4.10.1708

4.10.1713

4.10.1720

4.10.1721.3

Release Candidate 2

4.10.1723.4

Release Candidate 3

4.10.1900.5

Release Candidate 4

4.10.1900.6

4.10.1910.2

Release Candidate 5

4.10.1998.5

Pre-RTM

4.10.1998.6

RTM

4.10.1998

February 2004 Security Update

4.10.1998A

International Beta

4.10.1998 (Russian Pre-RTM)

4.10.1998.6 (Simplified Chinese RC4)

Service Pack 1

4.10.2000

4.10.2001

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.

Multimedia Update/Service Pack 1 Alpha

4.10.2017

Service Pack 1 Beta

4.10.2088.5

4.10.2091

4.10.2107

4.10.2120

OEM Service Release/Second Edition Beta 1

4.10.2106

OEM Service Release/Second Edition Beta 2

4.10.2120

4.10.2124

4.10.2126

4.10.2131

4.10.2136

4.10.2150A

4.10.2150.4

Second Edition Release Candidate 1

4.10.2162

4.10.2170A

4.10.2183A

Second Edition Release Candidate 2

4.10.2184.1

4.10.2185A

Second Edition Release Candidate 3

4.10.2222A (1999-04-21)

Second Edition RTM

4.10.2222A

February 2004 Security Update

4.10.2222B