Windows 98 was a major upgrade to Windows 95 released by Microsoft on June 25, 1998. It was the second major release in the Windows 9x line of home and commercial operating systems. Windows 98 was well received by users and critics alike, further solidifying Microsoft’s position as a dominant player in the PC operating system market. In this article, we’ll look at Windows 98’s features, performance, and market acceptance.
Windows 98 features
Windows 98 introduced many new features and improvements that made it significantly better than Windows 95. Here are some of the top Windows 98 features:
Internet Explorer 4.0: Windows 98 comes with the latest version of Internet Explorer, which includes improved Internet browsing features such as improved security, faster download speeds, and Dynamic HTML support.
USB support: Windows 98 was the first Windows operating system to support the Universal Serial Bus (USB), which allowed users to connect various peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, and printers, to the computer without special drivers.
Device Manager: Windows 98 introduced a new Device Manager that allows users to view and manage all of the hardware installed on their computer in a single window.
FAT32 Support: Windows 98 introduced support for the FAT32 file system, allowing for larger hard drives and better file management.
Improved hardware support: Windows 98 supports a wider range of hardware, including DVD drives, video capture cards, and more.
Better system stability: Windows 98 was more stable than Windows 95, with less crashes and error messages.
Windows 98 Performance
Windows 98 significantly improved performance over Windows 95. It was faster, more stable, and could handle more hardware and software than its predecessor. Windows 98 also included several performance optimization features such as:
Faster startup: Windows 98 started faster than Windows 95 due to improvements in the boot process.
Improved memory management: Windows 98 has improved memory management, allowing you to run more applications and tasks without slowing down.
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Improved file system. The FAT32 file system introduced in Windows 98 provides faster and more efficient file management.
Improved System Resources: Windows 98 has improved system resource management, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and overall system performance.
Market perception of Windows 98
Windows 98 was a commercial success, selling over 25 million copies in its first year of release. The operating system has been well received by home and business users who appreciate its improved features and performance.
However, Windows 98 was not without its problems. The operating system was still vulnerable to malware and security threats and lacked some of the security features that would become standard in later versions of Windows. Also, many users have had compatibility issues with older hardware and software.
Despite these issues, Windows 98 remained a popular operating system for several years, and many companies and individuals continued to use it well into the early 2000s. It was eventually replaced by Windows Me, released in 2000.
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Windows 98 was a significant upgrade from Windows 95 and helped solidify Microsoft’s position as a dominant player in the PC operating system market. Its new features and improvements have made it more user-friendly, stable, and efficient, helping to improve the overall computing experience for millions of users around the world.
Although Windows 98 encountered security and compatibility issues, it remained a popular operating system for several years and paved the way for future versions of Windows.
Windows 98 was released on June 25, 1998 as the successor to Windows 95. It was a significant upgrade over the previous version and included many new features and improvements. Well received by users and critics alike, Windows 98 dominated the PC operating system market for several years. In this article, we’ll examine the market acceptance of Windows 98.
Market share
Windows 98 was a commercial success and quickly gained popularity among users. According to a report by Net Applications, Windows 98 had a 21.23% market share in December 1999, just over a year after its release. It was then the second most popular operating system behind Windows 95 with a market share of 34.66%.
Windows 98 grew in popularity over the next few years, eventually surpassing Windows 95 in market share. According to the same Net Applications report, as of December 2000, Windows 98’s market share was 37.86%, while Windows 95’s market share was 26.98%.
Windows 98’s popularity can be attributed to its new features and improvements, as well as its stability and reliability. Users appreciated the faster boot times, improved memory management, and support for new hardware and software.
Compatibility
A major concern for users and businesses migrating to Windows 98 has been compatibility with existing hardware and software. Many users have invested in expensive peripherals such as printers, scanners and cameras and want to be sure these devices will work with the new operating system.
Microsoft addressed these issues by including compatibility tools in Windows 98, such as the Compatibility Assistant, which allowed users to test software and hardware compatibility issues before installing them on a system. Additionally, support for USB devices has been built into Windows 98, making it easier for users to connect new devices without the need for special drivers.
However, despite these efforts, many users were still experiencing compatibility issues with older hardware and software. This has caused some users and companies to delay upgrading to Windows 98 or abandon the existing operating system.
Security
Security was a growing concern for PC users in the late 1990s as the number of viruses and malware continued to increase. Although Windows 98 included some security features, such as a basic firewall and antivirus software, it was still vulnerable to many security threats.
This vulnerability was marred by a widespread outbreak of the “CIH” virus in 1999, which damaged millions of computers around the world. The virus exploited a vulnerability in Windows 98 and many users were surprised by the severity of the attack.
Microsoft eventually released a patch to address the vulnerability, but the incident highlighted the need for tighter security measures across operating systems. This led to the development of new security features in later versions of Windows such as Windows XP and Windows Vista.
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Windows 98 was a huge success for Microsoft and helped solidify its position as a dominant player in the PC operating system market. Its new features and improvements have made it more user-friendly, stable and efficient, and it has gained great popularity among users.
Although Windows 98 had some compatibility and security issues, it remained a popular operating system for several years and paved the way for future versions of Windows. Overall, Windows 98 marked a milestone in the evolution of PC operating systems and left an indelible mark on the technology industry.
