Microsoft Stops Supporting Win98 Early

Christopher_G_Lewis writes "Today Microsoft announced that it is 'not feasible to make the extensive changes necessary to Windows Explorer on Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (ME) to eliminate the vulnerability' to fix Security Bulletin MS06-15. Granted, the vulnerability is easily prevented by basic firewalling, but this basically is the first time Microsoft has admitted that Windows 98 is so broken that it's crazy to be running it on today's Internet."

Huh?

[CWRUisTakingMyMoney]

Win98 is broken? That's crazy talk, I've been using it for years, and I've never had any prob#$*(*^^(*&!@ NO CARRIER

I must be drinking...

[Mr. No Skills]

this basically is the first time Microsoft has admitted that Windows 98 is so broken that it's crazy to be running it on today's Internet."

It's like an alternate universe, where Microsoft is trying to sell Windows 2000 Professional to home users...

:O

[joe 155]

well, I'll get modded down but...

MS got it wrong... "Windows 98 is so broken that it's crazy to be running it on today's Internet" For some reason this contains a "98" which came out of nowhere. It should read

"Windows is so broken that it's crazy to be running it on today's Internet"

It only took them....

[demongeek]

It only took them 8 years to realize Windows 98 was broken.... Not bad.

I jest I jest *ducks*

Re::O

[Kesch]

Where did the words "on today's Internet" come from?

Re:Who ever said Windows 98 was buggy?

[Anonymous Coward]

EVERYONE

Re:Quick Question

[mmalove]

Speaking from the standpoint of software technical support, a metric fuckton.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=met ric+fuckton [urbandictionary.com]

For a fun blast from the past, try mapping network drives in 98. Now try telling a 60 year old man how to do it.

I don't say this office, but THANK YOU MICROSOFT!!

Kind of like an old car ..

[guzzirider]

You can still register and operate a Ford model T on public roads.
However, 'round here in Dallas I would strongly recommend to keep it off I-635
(ya' might get shot!)

Whew!

[edmicman]

At least Win95 is safe!

Re:Well, it *is* old

[kfg]

Ok, Sol8 I could see I guess, but for all that I'm a Mac bigot these days, I can't really blame MS for being unable to support software that old.

Well, they may not find it "feasable" to patch the hole, but I managed it in all of about five minutes.

I installed Firefox. Can't they handle that?

KFG

The future starts tomorrow!

[xymog]

this basically is the first time Microsoft has admitted that Windows 98 is so broken that it's crazy to be running it on today's Internet.

Hell, I'm still trying to get yesterday's Internet (Web 1.0) running on today's hardware (AMD 2.4GHz) with tomorrow's software (Vista). Can we preemptively declare Vista broken, and move on to Vista++?

Re:Missed business opportunity?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think the only significant Windows 98 installations you'll see are embedded machines running a POS system

Aren't all installations of Windows 98 pieces of shit?

Meanwhile, Back In Redmond.....

[Skeetskeetskeet]

Microsoft announces it will still continue to patch and support Microsoft BOB due to its overwhelming popularity and stability among home users.

Re::O

[Anonymous Coward]

Youu could always try Debian stable. Software released in '98 is still too new to be included.

Re::O

[Chowser]

Al Gore, who invented it.

Re:no computer with any OS should be on the wire

[barawn]

I suppose it all depends on your definition of "computer." Computers have processor(s), RAM, a boot ROM, and some sort of non-volitile storage, right? So does my Cisco 871W. =D

So does my remote, by that definition.