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1998 - 2006
Windows 98
“Windows is shutting down…”
- Birth year
- 1998
- Shutdown year
- 2006
- Lifespan
- 8 years
- Peak era
- 1998-2001
- Company
- Microsoft
- Category
- Operating Systems
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On Video
Windows 98 crashes live on stage at COMDEX in 1998
Plays from YouTube when you press play. Views, length and date from YouTube, October 2026.
About This Video
- From:
- failednation
- Added:
- August 15, 2008
- Length:
- 0:30
More Videos4 videos
What Was It?
Windows 98 refined the Windows 95 formula and tied the desktop more closely to the web, with Internet Explorer built in, Active Desktop and better support for USB devices and DVD drives. It reached stores in June 1998, and the Second Edition followed a year later.
For many families it was the operating system of the first home internet connection, of MSN Messenger and of the first MP3 collection. Its launch demonstration was memorable too: a blue screen of death appeared live on stage when a scanner was plugged in.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 98 on July 11, 2006, after extending the date more than once because so many people still used it.
Things You Probably Forgot
- The blue screen at the launch demo
- Windows 98 Second Edition on the family PC
- Active Desktop
- Defragmenting the hard drive and watching the blocks move
The Story
- 1998 Windows 98 was released to retail on June 25.
- 1999 Windows 98 Second Edition arrived on June 10.
- 2002 Mainstream support ended on June 30.
- 2006 Extended support ended on July 11.
How It Died
Microsoft ended extended support for Windows 98, 98 SE and Me on July 11, 2006.
What Replaced It?
Memories
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