The Scoop on Windows 98 Second Edition
| Intended For |
 Windows 98 only |
|
There's a newer version of Windows 98 called Windows 98 Second Edition.
For those of you who are familiar with Windows 95, this is similar to Windows 95 OSR2, except that it is available for individual purchase (as well as being preinstalled on new computers until Windows Me was released).
Jump to:
What's new in the Second Edition
The Second Edition is not very different from the original release of Windows 98, with the following exceptions:
- It includes Internet Explorer 5.0. The latest version of IE can be downloaded here.
- It includes most of the updates available from the Windows Update site - already installed. (example)
- It comes with a new feature, Internet Connection Sharing, which is not available separately.
- It's supposed to include better support for new hardware, such as USB, IEEE 1394, and DVD (all of which are supported by the original release).
It's also supposed to improve ATM and Wake-On-LAN support.
Since the proper drivers are always available from hardware manufacturers anyway, don't consider this a compelling reason alone for you to upgrade.
- Microsoft claims that SE also has support for high-speed Internet connection devices, such as DSL and cable modems.
Actually, that's just nonsense, since these technologies work just fine without SE - they don't require any special software, drivers, or settings to work.
How do I get it?
As a whole, Windows 98 Second Edition is not available for download.
- When Windows 98 Second Edition was first released, Microsoft was offering a $24.95 upgrade ($19.95 plus $5.00 shipping). It appears that this offer is no longer available.
- You can purchase the boxed version here, although you may want to skip ahead to Windows Me if you're going to the trouble of upgrading at all.
How do I get it without paying?
You can't.
It may seem confusing that Microsoft makes some updates to Windows 98 available for free, and charges for others.
However, that's life.
The good news is that most of what's new in the Second Edition can be downloaded for free.
See What's new in the Second Edition, above, for a list of the differences, and which ones are available for free download.
The bad news is that you'll have to purchase the CD to get the stuff that isn't available separately for download, such as Internet Connection Sharing.
Is it worth it?
Naturally, that depends.
- If you have a fast connection to the Internet, and all you want out of the Second Edition is the stuff that's available for free, then don't waste your money.
- On the other hand, if you want one of the features that can't be obtained for free, such as Internet Connection Sharing, twenty-five bucks isn't that bad.
- If want Internet Connection Sharing, but don't feel it's worth spending $80 and wasting a half-day of installing a new operating system, there are alternatives.
- If you haven't yet upgraded to Windows 98, you might as well skip ahead to Windows Me, which is faster, has better hardware support, and after following some of the solutions at this site, ends up being less annoying. (Not that we're trying to sell more products for Microsoft...)
How do I know if I have the Second Edition?
The original release and the Second Edition are virtually indistinguishable.
Here's how to find out what version you're using:
- Double-click on the System icon in Control Panel, or right-click on the My Computer icon and select Properties.
- In the System section of the General tab, it will say "Second Edition" if that's what you're using. Also, the version number of the original release is 4.10.1998; for the Second Edition, it's 4.10.2222A.
Where's TweakUI?
For some reason, the TweakUI utility isn't included on the Second Edition CD.
However, you can still get it here for free.
More Information
|
