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Old February 16th 06, 01:23 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion
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Default Last Rites for Win9x

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
I assume someone already posted this at least once. But just in case...

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

(MS Official Announcement and FAQs)

Effective June 30, 2006, support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second
Edition and Windows Me (and their related components) will end. After
this date, incident support, security updates and Custom Support
Agreement will no longer be available to the public. Visit
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/sup...ofsupport.mspx for details.

* On June 30, 2006, assisted support for Windows 98, Windows 98
Second Edition and Windows Me (and their related components) will end.
* After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide any incident
support options or security updates. Microsoft is not offering a Custom
Support Agreement for these products.
* Online Support Content will continue to be available through
the Microsoft Support Product Solution Center Websites. This website
will continue to host a wealth of previous How-to, Troubleshooting and
Configuration content for anyone who may need self-service access to
this information. (http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub)
* Additional information on the support lifecycle of Windows 98,
Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows Me can be located at:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean1 and
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/sup...ofsupport.mspx
* Microsoft continues to encourage all customers to upgrade to
Windows XP to achieve the highest possible level of security. Customers
will benefit and stay secure on Windows XP with many of its improved
security and protection features.
* Customers that are not able to obtain Windows XP based
versions of their applications are able to run these older applications
in Windows 98 compatibility mode within Windows XP
* Customers should visit the Windows XP Resource Kit
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...XP/all/reskit/
en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-
us/prba_dwp_ogli.asp to find out more information about migration to
Windows XP. This assistance resource helps customers understand the
requirements and Application Compatibility implications of migrating
from Windows 98/ME to XP.
Q. What does Microsoft mean when it says it is ending support for
Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows ME?
A. This means that after June 30, 2006, transitioning these products to
a non-supported status means that assisted support, including security
updates, will end. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide any
incident support options or security updates.

(however, Online Support Content will continue to be available through
the Microsoft Support Product Solution Center Websites. This website
will continue to host a wealth of previous How-to, Troubleshooting and
Configuration content for anyone who may need self-service access to
this information. These Product Solution Center websites can be found at
http://support.microsoft.com http://support.microsoft.com/ )


Q. Why should I consider moving to a newer Windows operating system
version?
A. Customers should consider moving to the most recent version of
Windows, such as Windows XP, for the following reasons
* Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows ME are
products that are no longer suitable for the security demands of today's
internet environments.
* Customers will benefit and stay secure on Windows XP with many
of its improved security and protection features.
* Customers that are not able to obtain Windows XP based
versions of their applications are able to run these older applications
in Windows 98 compatibility mode within Windows XP
* Microsoft is not offering a Custom Support Agreement for these
products.


Q. Why is this announcement so sudden?
This announcement is not a last minute announcement. As early as
December 2002, we had announced an original end-of-support date for
Windows 98, 98SE and ME for January 2003. We later extended the
end-of-support date to June 2006 to allow customers enough time to
migrate to a new and updated Windows operating system in order to
continue receiving security and hotfix support. This last wave of
communications is a final reminder for those who have postponed or
delayed migrating from Windows 98 or Windows ME to Windows XP to finally
put their plans into action.

Q. Why will Microsoft no longer provide public security support for
Windows 98 and Windows ME?
The importance of a secure computing platform has never been greater.
Over the past decade, security vulnerabilities that could not have been
anticipated have emerged. Microsoft has responded with new design
methodologies, coding practices and test procedures. These enhancements
are included in new platforms such as Windows XP and even more enhanced
in the upcoming release of Windows Vista. These newer platforms offer
our customers a far greater level of security than is possible with
Windows 98 and Windows ME. You need to remember that Windows 98 and
Windows ME were developed before the era of sophisticated Internet based
attacks. These products have reached the point of architectural
obsolescence. It would be irresponsible to convey a false sense of
security by extending public support for these old products.

Q. Will there be 3rd parties that can continue supporting my
installations of Windows 98?
There are still multiple companies in the market today that are able to
provide for-fee configuration support for Windows 98 and Windows ME
computers. They do not, however, have access to the code base to be
able to create hotfix and security fixes. The absence of the critical
types of support components from their capabilities should encourage
customers to quickly migrate to more up-to-date versions of Microsoft
Windows.

Also, Online Support Content will continue to be available through the
Microsoft Support Product Solution Center Websites. This website will
continue to host a wealth of previous How-to, Troubleshooting and
Configuration content for anyone who may need self-service access to
this information. These Product Solution Center websites can be found at
http://support.microsoft.com http://support.microsoft.com/


Q. What resources does Microsoft offer to companies or individuals that
have yet to migrate to a newer Windows operating system?
Customers who are able to access the internet should visit the Windows
XP Resource Kit
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...XP/all/reskit/
en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-
us/prba_dwp_ogli.asp to find out more information about migration to
Windows XP. This assistance resource helps customers understand the
requirements and Application Compatibility implications of migrating
from Windows 98/ME to XP.



For those transitioning from 98/98SE/ME to XP HE, I found it more workable
to do a clean install of XP HE. Seen some horror stories about upgrading
from prior 9X/ME to XP, loss of personal data, favorites etc. In my case,
saved all favorites, Outlook pst, all personal files to a separate removable
media. Don't use windows backup, XPs MS backup doesn't recognize the
98/98SE/ME MS backup file data. Simply save or copy the data. Make a
checklist so you won't forget anything. Recovery of this data was
uneventful, and painless.

Don't forget some 3rd party windows applications won't work in XP. Some 3rd
party drivers on a previous OS may screw up the XP upgrade install (this is
overlooked alot). Some PCs don't have the oomph or marginal at best. MS is
pretty thorough on there recommendations on an upgrade to XP, including
their software engine that checks your PC for a possible upgrade. But, is
not perfect. An optional dual boot possible in the upgrade may help the
transition. Think twice, 3 or 4 times before moving.
--
Jonny