Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis) is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It is the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on May 15, 1998 and to retail on June 25, 1998. Windows 98 is the successor to Windows 95. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid 16-bit/32-bit[2] monolithic product with an MS-DOS based boot stage.[3] Windows 98 was succeeded by Windows 98 Second Edition on May 5, 1999, then by Windows ME (Millennium Edition) on September 14, 2000. Microsoft ended support for Windows 98 on July 11, 2006.


Contents

   1 Development
   2 Web integration and shell enhancements
   3 Improvements to hardware support
       3.1 Windows Driver Model
       3.2 USB
       3.3 ACPI
       3.4 Other device support improvements
   4 Networking enhancements
   5 Improvements to the system and built-in utilities
       5.1 Performance improvements
       5.2 Other system tools
       5.3 Accessories
       5.4 Miscellaneous improvements
   6 Windows 98 Second Edition
   7 Upgradeability
   8 Press demonstration
   9 Product life cycle
   10 System requirements
   11 References
   12 Further reading
   13 External links

Developer
Microsoft
Releases
Release to manufacturing May 15, 1998; 15 years ago [info]
General
availability June 25, 1998; 15 years ago [info]
Latest stable
release 4.10 build 2222 A (May 5, 1999; 14 years ago) [info]
Source model Closed source
License Commercial software
Kernel type Monolithic kernel
Preceded by Windows 95 (1995)
Succeeded by Windows ME (2000)
Support status
Unsupported as of July 11, 2006[1]