Windows 98 Second Edition

Overview

Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), released in 1999, is an improved and more stable update to the original Windows 98. It introduced enhanced USB support, improved networking, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), better hardware compatibility, and numerous bug fixes. Windows 98 SE is widely regarded as the most stable and polished release in the Windows 9x family.

Release Information

  • Release year: 1999
  • Type: Consumer desktop operating system
  • Platform: 16/32‑bit hybrid (Windows 4.10.2222A)
  • Last update: Windows 98 SE Updates (2001)
  • Predecessor: Windows 98 (First Edition)
  • Successor: Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me)

Build and Distribution

  • Distributed on CD‑ROM.
  • Included Internet Explorer 5.
  • Improved USB stack and driver support.
  • Included DirectX 6.1 and later DirectX 7 via updates.
  • Designed for home and small‑office PCs.

System Requirements

Minimum Hardware

  • CPU: 486DX2 or higher
  • RAM: 16 MB minimum
  • Storage: 195 MB hard drive space
  • Graphics: VGA (640×480)
  • Input: Keyboard and mouse

Recommended Hardware (1999–2001)

  • CPU: Pentium II or Pentium III
  • RAM: 32–64 MB
  • Storage: 2–10 GB hard drive
  • Graphics: DirectX‑compatible GPU

Supported CPU Architectures

  • x86: 486, Pentium, Pentium II, Pentium III

Supported Components

Graphics Cards

  • VGA and SVGA adapters
  • 3dfx Voodoo series
  • NVIDIA RIVA TNT / TNT2 / GeForce 256
  • ATI Rage / Rage 128
  • Matrox Millennium / G200

Sound

Windows 98 SE supported a wide range of ISA and PCI sound cards, including Sound Blaster 16, AWE32/64, Sound Blaster Live!, Yamaha OPL3, and AC’97 onboard audio.

Input Devices

  • Serial and PS/2 mice
  • USB mice and keyboards (improved support)
  • Gameport joysticks

Storage

  • IDE/ATA hard drives
  • SCSI controllers (with drivers)
  • CD‑ROM and DVD‑ROM drives
  • ZIP drives

File System Support

Windows 98 SE supported FAT16 and FAT32, with FAT32 recommended for large drives and improved efficiency.

Supported File Systems

  • FAT12: Floppy disks
  • FAT16: Legacy partitions
  • FAT32: Modern file system supporting large drives

Limits

  • FAT16 limited to 2 GB partitions
  • FAT32 supports partitions up to 2 TB
  • No NTFS support

Networking

Windows 98 SE included improved networking, better TCP/IP performance, and new features such as Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

Built‑In Networking Features

  • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
  • Dial‑Up Networking
  • Network Neighborhood
  • Improved TCP/IP stack
  • Internet Explorer 5 integration

Supported Protocols

  • TCP/IP
  • NetBEUI
  • IPX/SPX

Supported Network Cards

  • 3Com EtherLink III / 3C905 series
  • Intel EtherExpress / PRO/100
  • Realtek RTL8029 / RTL8139
  • Various ISA and PCI NICs

Driver Information

Driver Sources (1999–2002)

  • Windows 98 SE installation CD
  • OEM driver disks
  • Hardware vendor downloads

Driver Notes

  • Much better USB support than Windows 98 FE.
  • Improved WDM driver support.
  • Many Windows 95 drivers remained compatible.

Updates & Patches

Windows 98 SE received numerous updates, including DirectX 7/8, WDM driver updates, and security patches. It is widely considered the most stable Windows 9x release.

Related Versions

  • Windows 98 (First Edition): Original release
  • Windows 98 SE: Improved and more stable version
  • Windows Me: Successor with updated UI

Installation Notes

Installation Media

  • Bootable CD‑ROM
  • Floppy boot disk + CD‑ROM

Typical Installation Steps (Historical)

  1. Boot from floppy or CD.
  2. Run SETUP.EXE from CD.
  3. Choose installation options.
  4. Copy system files and reboot.
  5. Install drivers for graphics, sound, USB, and network cards.

Virtual Machine Notes

Windows 98 SE runs reliably in emulators and virtual machines with proper configuration.

  • PCem
  • 86Box
  • VirtualBox
  • VMware

Known Issues & Fixes

Common Issues

  • USB support still limited compared to modern systems
  • Some PCI devices require OEM drivers
  • System instability under heavy multitasking

Stability Notes

  • Most stable Windows 9x release
  • Improved USB and driver support
  • Better networking reliability

End of Support

  • Windows 98 SE reached end of support in July 2006. It remains historically important as the most refined and reliable version of the Windows 9x family.

Retro PC Tips

Best Hardware to Run Windows 98 SE

  • Pentium II or Pentium III system
  • 64–128 MB RAM
  • DirectX‑compatible GPU (3dfx, NVIDIA, ATI)
  • Sound Blaster‑compatible audio

Keeping It Stable

  • Use FAT32 partitions for best performance.
  • Install OEM drivers for graphics, sound, and USB.
  • Avoid excessive multitasking.

Finding Software and Drivers Today

Software and drivers for Windows 98 SE are available on archival and retro‑computing websites, as well as communities dedicated to classic Windows systems.

Running on Modern Hardware

  • Best run inside emulators such as PCem or 86Box.
  • Direct installation on modern PCs is not feasible due to hardware incompatibilities.