What is Windows 98?

Windows 98 is a Microsoft operating system and the first step towards an operating system that optimizes it. With this incredible system, you can run your computer at the highest performance with the least effort.

What is Microsoft Windows 98 Operating System?

On June 25, 1998, Windows 98, a minor revision of Windows 95, arrived.

It included new hardware drivers and FAT32 file systems that support partitions larger than 2 GB allowed by 95.

In 1999, Microsoft’s most notable feature was sharing an Internet connection on multiple computers over a single telephone line, and some improvements were made to the original 98.

Microsoft Windows 98 is an operating system and is therefore responsible for managing all processes occurring on the computer. It is also an OS created from 95, 3.11, 3.1, and DOS.

The main difference with the first is that it uses the FAT32 file system, which creates several hundred MB of additional disk space, as it stores data more efficiently.

In addition, programs run faster, and the computer uses fewer system resources.

Windows 98 System Requirements

You don’t need the best computer on the market to take advantage of this OS:

1. 486DX/66 MHz processor or higher.
2. 16 MB memory; more memory, better performance.
3. A typical setup requires about 195 Mb of free hard disk space, but it can vary from 120 to 295 Mb depending on your computer’s configuration and the options you want to install.
4. CD-ROM or DVD-ROM (3.5 “discs are also available).
5. VGA monitor or above.
6. Microsoft mouse or compatible.

Physical Improvements

Significant enhancements of Windows 98 are invisible, meaning that all users who have already installed the plug-ins and accessories included in the system will not see significant differences at first glance. Still, actual improvements have occurred in the internal structure of the business.

The 32-bit architecture has been dramatically improved, including the Win32 Driver Model, a new driver model, the main advantage of which is to simplify the device driver creation process by hardware manufacturers and simplify their installation for users. Includes support for hardware devices such as Win32, USB, DVD, and IEE 1394.

Ease of Use

File management in Win98 is as easy as browsing the World Wide Web pages. This will make it easier to search and find the information you want, whether it’s on your computer, on the network, or on the Internet.

The new page-based interface will make it easy for you to browse your PC, select and open files and programs, use the Control Panel, and customize the Start menu.

It is compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) system.

With your PC and capability, Windows can be used on up to eight monitors. You can quickly expand the size of your desktop, have different views of a game or application, or view multiple applications simultaneously.

If you need help, the system gives you access to a comprehensive and constantly updated product information system.

This OS will provide information for all Microsoft products through the Web Help function.

On the other hand, it allows Desktops and Folders to have the same shape, functionality, and features as Microsoft Internet Explorer. However, this can already be done with Windows 95 installed Microsoft Active Desktop.

For this reason, folders can be accessed with a single mouse click, you can see information about each, the possibility of previewing images is included in the folders, and there are Next, Back, and Upload buttons to make it easier to navigate.

It is much easier to customize the start menu because it allows you to change the shortcuts you create, allowing you to drag, move, or delete them according to the needs of each user.

When it comes to helping, new wizards are added, such as Improved Installation Wizard, Maintenance Wizard, and Troubleshooting Wizard.

Performance Enhancements

Considering the results of testing beta versions of the software, Windows 98 completes many everyday tasks faster than previous versions, such as starting the OS, installing applications, and shutting down the system.

The performance of your computer will increase thanks to new wizards such as tuning, Disk Defragmenter, and the new FAT32 file system.

Full Integration with the Internet

Windows 98 is a fast, easy-to-use, and powerful platform that allows you to take full advantage of the Internet.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 is fully integrated with this OS, making Internet Explorer 4.0 the fastest platform to run.

It will be easier to connect to the Internet, thanks to the Internet Connection Wizard, which receives information from your Internet Service Provider and then helps you configure your system.

Using Outlook Express, you can easily send and receive e-mail messages and read and manage newsgroups.

With the help of Microsoft NetMeeting, you can chat, have video conferences, and share software applications on the Internet. By subscribing to the websites you want, you can watch content from paid channels such as Disney, ESPN, Sportszone, Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine by ensuring that your content is delivered automatically and directly to your desktop.

It also offers many Internet access options, including the ISDN Connection Wizard and Dial-Up Networking.

Benefits of Windows 98

The advantages of WIN98 compared to WIN95 are:

• It’s easy to use.
• Performance improvements.
• Reliability enhancements.
• Full integration with the Internet.
• Greater management convenience for companies.
• Speed.
• Preparation for technical developments.

System Tools and Utilities

It has dramatically increased or improved the number of tools for system maintenance compared to its previous versions.

Other new tools or wizards are included to check and resolve the most common problems that can arise in computer use.

Some new wizards help the user use all these tools. Leading innovations in terms of OS management and maintenance tools:

   Maintenance Assistant

Maintenance Assistant is a tool used to plan the maintenance functions of the computer. The leading utility of this wizard is that it creates a periodic calendar for running Scandisk, Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, and Compression Tool.

To perform these tasks, the computer must be on while Windows is running, so it is recommended to set the execution to a few hours of the day the computer is not used.

   FAT32 File System

The new FAT32 feature is an improved version of the FAT. This new version allows you to format disks of more than two Gigabytes as a single disk.

In addition, FAT32 uses smaller clusters than the previous capacity, which allows for more efficient space usage on large-capacity disk drives.

   FAT32 Conversion Utility

To increase flexibility, it includes a graphical FAT32 conversion utility that can quickly and safely convert a disk drive from the old FAT to the new FAT32.

   Disk Defragmenter

The new disk defragmenter uses defragmentation to increase the running speed of the most used applications.

To do this, Disk Defragmenter creates a log file that identifies the most used programs.

Once this log file is created, the defragmenter can save files associated with the most used programs in adjacent areas of the disk.

It increases the working speed by grouping all the files related to an application in the same area of ​​the disk.

   ScanDisk

It has been enhanced to run ScanDisk automatically if the OS is shut down incorrectly or in the event of a severe disk failure.

This feature will significantly help users ensure that their disk drives are working well, there are no lost clusters, and there are no cross-linked files.

   Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a Windows 98 tool that automates the task of removing junk files from the disk, thereby increasing the available space.

This tool helps users delete Internet files that are stored in cache folders, which can take up a lot of space after browsing the Internet.

In addition, the user can customize this tool to identify the files that they want to delete.

   System Information

The System Information tool displays a report about its general status, showing possible errors that may occur.

• It shows the status of the Windows registry and allows you to fix possible errors.
• Shows a summary of the errors on the disk surface.
• Indicates possible conflicts between versions of installed programs.
• Indicates possible configuration conflicts that can cause potential malfunctions between installed devices.
• Shows damaged files that can cause some system malfunctions.

   System File Checker

This tool is responsible for checking the operating system’s system files, and if it finds anything damaged, it replaces it with the original file.

   Scheduled Tasks

With the new Setting Wizard, we can create a series of tasks related to the maintenance of the PC so they work in a programmed way.

   File Security

Often, we install applications that unknowingly install older versions of libraries and drivers. Windows 98, which has malfunctioned on our computer, has a new utility called System File Checker Utility, which is responsible for checking that this has not happened.

Differences Between Windows 98 and Windows 95

1) Windows 98

Windows 98 has the most accessible, most straightforward, fastest, and most convenient interface for using the Internet, windows, disks, and navigation buttons that make it easy to surf the Internet. Therefore, it facilitates the use of the computer, makes use of all the hardware, and improves the network connection, installation, configuration, and maintenance of the computer.

The need for DOS has been eliminated since 98 itself is a 32-bit operating system that does not require running under any other operating system.

You no longer need to go to DOS to enter commands that require you to memorize the syntax. However, DOS programs can run on version 98 without being installed on your system.

You will find that Windows 98 has a new look, is more efficient and robust than previous versions of Windows, and is also much easier to run.

2) Windows 95

Windows 95 is a 32-bit operating system that allows you to run 32-bit applications theoretically faster than 16-bit applications.

However, 32-bit operating systems have already been around for a long time: UNIX and Macintosh System, IBM‘s OS/2, and Microsoft’s Windows NT. Using Microsoft’s Win32 API, programmers managed to write 32-bit code running on 16-bit Windows 3.1.

It is also a multitasking operating system that can control multiple programs. Each program can have numerous sub-components that work independently.

It is straightforward what makes Win95 so focused: Version 3.0 has been the most crucial development for Windows since its release in 1990.

This version takes a market-installed DOS plug-in and makes it the world’s dominant PC operating environment.

Win 95 is an ambitious upgrade, but it is also an upgrade that includes a compromise between advanced features and backward compatibility.

The user interface has changed significantly, gaining actual folders and icons on the desktop, animated icons, the Start button, a taskbar, and a trash can to launch new applications.

It has a Recycle Bin that contains deleted items that can be permanently recovered or removed for drag and drop and delete operations.

It also changed the basic architecture to allow 32-bit applications to operate using preferred multitasking and memory protection.

Windows 98SE (Second Edition)

Microsoft released Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) on May 5, 1999, which includes the ability to share an Internet connection between multiple computers on the network over a single phone line.

The first version of version 98 was released on June 25, 1998, and included 16 and 32-bit versions. The first version is a graphical operating system with significant improvements to the user interface. It has USB support for more functional use of peripheral devices and also has version 5.0 of the Internet Explorer browser. In addition, many of the problems that occurred in Internet Explorer have been fixed.

The second version of Windows 98 was released due to the loss of a lawsuit result. This version allows all users to use a single Internet connection thanks to its NAT feature. Also, support for devices such as DVD-ROM has been integrated into the operating system.

Microsoft has been heavily criticized for not releasing its SE (Second Edition) version as a free update to users.