Microsoft releases Windows 98 Second Edition to Manufacturing

Microsoft Corporation announced Wednesday that the new version of Windows98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), is "complete" and has been released tomanufacturing. Windows 98 SE will replace the original version of Windows 98in retail stores and with new PCs, offering bug fixes, Internet Explorer5.0, and a new Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature. Existing users ofWindows 98 will soon be able to upgrade to Windows 98 SE by purchasing a"Windows 98 Second Edition Updates" (formerly "Step-Up") CD from the Windows98 Web site for about $20 US. Users that do buy the Updates CD will alsoreceive a book called "Windows 98 and the Internet," which details the newfeatures in SE.

"We're committed to providing timely updates of Windows for consumers tokeep pace with the rapid advances in Internet technologies and hardwaresupport," said David Cole, vice president of the Consumer Windows Divisionat Microsoft. "Windows 98 Second Edition is the next step on an excitingpath of Windows-based developments for consumers that will focus on areassuch as home networking, the online experience, digital media andentertainment, and PC simplicity."

Additionally, Windows 98 SE includes Windows NetMeeting 3.0, support for newhardware, and all of the Service Pack fixes that have been releases forWindows 98 since last June such as the Year 2000 updates.

Windows 98 SE, like Windows 98 before it, will cost an estimated $89 for anupgrade version at retail