Microsoft had marketed Windows 98 as a 'tune-up' to Windows 95, rather than an entirely improved next generation of Windows. It also introduced features that would become standard in future generations of Windows, such as Disk Cleanup, Windows Update, multi-monitor support, and Internet Connection Sharing. It was the first Windows operating system to adopt the Windows Driver Model. These include improved USB support and accessibility, as well as support for hardware advancements such as DVD players. Windows 98 is a heavily web-integrated operating system that bears numerous similarities to its predecessor, with most of the improvements being cosmetic or designed to improve the user experience, but there are a handful of features that enhance system functionality and capabilities.
Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid 16-bit and 32-bit monolithic product with the boot stage based on MS-DOS. It is the successor to Windows 95, and was released to manufacturing on May 15, 1998, and generally to retail on June 25, 1998. Windows 98 is an operating system developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows 9x family of Microsoft Windows operating systems.
