Knowledge Base .: Windows 98 support

What's happening with Windows?

Windows 98, Windows 98SE and Windows Me have left their active support phase from Microsoft.

From 30th June 2006, there are no new security updates, and no new technical support services available from Microsoft.

Further information on this issue can be seen here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx

What does this mean for our software?

Whilst we will no longer be able to actively support these technologies, existing products should continue to operate as normal.

Patches and support articles will still be available here, but we are unable to offer new solutions to problems affecting these retired Windows systems. We will of course offer advice as best we can.

We no longer develop for or test our products against Windows 98, Windows 98SE or Windows Me.

Why have you done this?

Unfortunately, without active Microsoft support, Windows 98, 98SE and ME will become more prone to errors due to malicious code, third party software or resource-hungry code designed for later systems, to the point that performance of new and existing products is unacceptable.

For security reasons we cannot run old systems on our networks therefore we are unable to reproduce customer issues effectively or safely.

Why was there no warning?

The plan to retire Windows 98 has actually been in place, and public for many years. Microsoft originally scheduled Windows 98 technologies for retirement in 2003, but this was extended to 2006 to allow consumers adequate time to replace their computers. Please review http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=LifeWinExtndFAQ for detailed information.

I have an old version of Windows, what should I do?

You should follow the advice of Microsoft, and upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP pro as soon as possible.

In the short term, you should seek the guidance of your LEA or school IT administrator.

How long will the other versions of Windows be supported?

Windows 2000 and XP (pro) will be supported until at least June 2010

Further information on Microsoft product lifecycles can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselect