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Windows 98 support shifts to CD

By Munir Kotadia
CNET News.com
January 9, 2004, 9:04 AM PT

URL: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-5138328.html

When Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows 98 support next Friday, it will offer a free CD designed to help users "make the most" of the aging operating system, without any further assistance from the software giant.

Six years after its launch, Windows 98 is still used by about a fourth of Web surfers. Microsoft announced last year that it would stop supporting Windows 98 on Jan. 15, meaning that millions of users will soon be left exposed when new exploits and vulnerabilities are discovered.

Lars Ahlgren, senior marketing manager at Microsoft, told ZDNet UK that the CD, which the software giant created with Future Publishing, will provide hints and tips, technical content and exclusive Knowledge Base articles. The content will also be published on Microsoft's support Web sites.

"We have made an arrangement with Future Publishing so we get Windows 98 content that is not just technical; it is also about how to get more from your Windows 98 machine. For those who have difficulties getting on the Web or want the content on a CD, we will ship them the CD for free, if they call us or register on the Web," Ahlgren said.

Ahlgren also acknowledged that Microsoft is hoping to keep Windows 98 users' expectations low, so that if there is a serious security breach the company decides to patch, they will be pleasantly surprised.

"It remains to be seen," whether there will be further updates, he said, noting that "we want to set expectations and overdeliver rather than underdeliver."

Users who need to do a clean installation of Windows 98 will, for the moment, still be able to connect with the Windows Update service in order to install the most recent patches, but the future of this service is far from clear: "We have not yet made a decision when we are going to remove Windows update. We realize there is a huge install base out there, so we will try to be as open and loud as possible with our decision," Ahlgren said.

Ahlgren pointed out that certain patches released in the future could be generic and work on all Windows operating systems, including Windows 98. In that case, an update would be possible: "If the patch is a generic Windows patch that applies to Windows 98, it will be available," he said.

Before Microsoft does remove the live update function for Windows 98, users will be able to download and burn the patches onto a CD, in case they are needed at a later date.

Last month, Microsoft began testing a security CD designed to enable users of older versions of Windows, with low-bandwidth connections, to update their systems.

Microsoft said the Windows 98 support CD and the new content on its support Web sites should be available Jan. 15.

Munir Kodatia of ZDNet UK reported from London.
 

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Windows 98 gets support reprieve
Staff
ZDNet Australia
January 12, 2004, 10:45 GMT

Although support for the older operating systems was due to end shortly, Microsoft has announced that it will be extended

Microsoft has extended support for Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows ME.

The software giant has extended support for the operating systems until 30 June, 2006. During that time paid over-the-phone support will be available, and "critical" security issues will be reviewed and "appropriate steps" taken.

Support for the Windows 98 family of operating systems was scheduled to end on Friday, with support for Windows ME due to expire in December this year.

"Microsoft made this decision to assist our customers worldwide who are still dependent upon these operating systems and to provide Microsoft more time to communicate its product lifecycle support guidelines in a handful of markets -- particularly smaller and emerging markets," said Microsoft Australia's senior Windows desktop product marketing manager, Danny Beck.

The support expiration dates for all three of the older operating systems was made the same in the interests of clarity, he said.

"We made the decision to also lengthen support for Windows 98 and Windows ME customers through the same date in order to provide a clear and consistent date for support conclusion for all of these older products," Beck explained.

"Microsoft also wanted to bring Windows 98 SE into compliance with the company's current lifecycle policy for new products, which provides for support for seven years instead of the original four," he added.