Windows 98 facts for kids
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| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model | Closed source |
| Repository |
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| Kernel type | Monolithic kernel |
| License | Microsoft EULA |
| Support status | |
| Unsupported as of July 11, 2006 | |
Windows 98 is a special computer program called an operating system. It was released by Microsoft on June 25, 1998. Think of it as an updated version of Windows 95, which was another popular operating system.
Windows 98 was seen as a big step forward from Windows 95. It brought some important new features to computers. One of the biggest changes was how it handled storage on your computer. It allowed for much larger disk partitions, which are like separate sections on your hard drive.
Another major change was that Internet Explorer, a web browser, became a key part of the system. This meant the web browser was built right into the computer's GUI (what you see on the screen) and the file manager. This idea was called 'web integration'.
Because Microsoft made Internet Explorer such a central part of Windows 98, the company faced a legal challenge from the United States Government. Some people felt this was unfair to other companies that made web browsers.
Windows 98 is no longer officially supported by Microsoft. However, some people still use it on older computers. These older machines might not be able to run newer versions of Windows, like Windows XP, Windows 7, or later.
Contents
What happened at the Windows 98 launch event?
Before Windows 98 was officially released, there was a special event for the press. This happened at Comdex in April 1998. Bill Gates, who was the head of Microsoft, was showing off the new operating system. He wanted to highlight how easy it was to use. He also showed its improved support for Plug and Play (PnP) devices. PnP means you can just plug in a device, and it works without much effort.
During the demonstration, an assistant tried to install a scanner. But instead of working, Windows 98 showed a Blue Screen of Death. This is a famous error message that means something went wrong. Bill Gates joked about it, saying, "That must be why we're not shipping Windows 98 yet." A video of this moment became very popular online.
What is Windows 98 Second Edition?
Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) was an official upgrade released in 1999. This version made it possible for computers to work with even more types of computer hardware. This included different kinds of monitors and printers.
Windows 98 SE also added a cool feature for homes or small offices. It allowed more than one computer on a network to share the same Internet connection. This was very helpful for families or small groups of users.
More information
- BBC News: Microsoft shuts down Windows 98
- PC World: The shut down of Windows 98 is a cause for concern
| Preceded by Windows NT 4.0 |
Windows Versions 1998-2000 |
Succeeded by Windows 2000 / Windows ME |
See also
In Spanish: Windows 98 para niños
