Windows 98

Overview

Windows 98, released in 1998, is the second major release in the Windows 9x line.
It refined the Windows 95 interface, added improved hardware support, introduced
the Windows Driver Model, and enhanced USB, networking, and multimedia capabilities.
Windows 98 delivered better stability and performance while maintaining compatibility
with MS-DOS and earlier Windows applications.

Release Information

  • Release year: 1998
  • Type: Consumer operating system
  • Platform: Hybrid 16/32-bit architecture
  • Last update: Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
  • Predecessor: Windows 95
  • Successor: Windows Millennium Edition (ME)

Build and Distribution

  • Distributed on CD-ROM.
  • Introduced the Windows Driver Model (WDM).
  • Released in two major versions: Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition.

System Requirements

Minimum Hardware

  • CPU: 486DX processor
  • RAM: 16 MB
  • Storage: 200 MB hard drive
  • Graphics: VGA or compatible
  • Input: Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse

Recommended Hardware (Late 1990s)

  • CPU: Pentium-class processor
  • RAM: 32–64 MB
  • Storage: 500 MB–2 GB hard drive
  • Graphics: SVGA or early 3D accelerators

Maximum Supported Hardware

  • CPU: Pentium II and early Pentium III systems
  • RAM: Up to 1 GB (practical limit ~512 MB)
  • Graphics: SVGA and advanced 3D accelerators
  • Storage: Large FAT32 partitions

Supported Components

Graphics Cards

  • VGA
  • SVGA
  • 2D/3D accelerators (3dfx, ATI Rage, NVIDIA RIVA/TNT)

Sound

Windows 98 includes built‑in sound support with drivers for popular sound cards such as
Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster 16, and WDM-compatible devices.

Input Devices

  • PS/2 mice
  • Serial mice
  • Standard keyboards
  • USB keyboards and mice (improved in Second Edition)

Storage

  • 3.5-inch floppy drives
  • IDE and SCSI hard drives
  • CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives

Networking

Windows 98 includes built‑in networking with support for TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI,
dial‑up networking, and Internet Connection Sharing (introduced in Second Edition).
It improved home networking and Internet connectivity compared to Windows 95.

File System Support

Windows 98 supports FAT16 and FAT32, with FAT32 offering improved efficiency and support
for larger partitions.

Supported

  • FAT12: Used on floppy disks
  • FAT16: Standard file system for compatibility
  • FAT32: Default for large hard drives

Limits

  • FAT16 limited to 2 GB partitions
  • FAT32 supports very large partitions
  • No NTFS support
  • No file permissions or journaling

Driver Information

Driver Sources (1990s Era)

  • Included on Windows 98 installation media
  • Bundled with hardware (graphics cards, sound cards, printers)
  • Provided by OEMs and PC manufacturers

Common Drivers