Windows 98 users on their own says Microsoft

Stan Beer
Sunday, 02 July 2006 12:19

Your IT - Home IT

Windows 98 and Millenium Edition users will no longer be supported by Microsoft from July 11, leaving an estimated 70 million users exposed to hackers. In addition, security vendors are following Microsoft's lead and phasing out support for the ageing Windows versions, leaving users open to new virus attacks, according to a report in the Washington Post.
 

It would be tempting to lambast Microsoft for this action because, after all, 70 million plus users still represents a significant proportion of its cutomer base - according to the Washington Post report around 13%. However, as a former Windows 98 (and ME) user, it would be hard to argue with the logic that support for the ageing platforms cannot continue into perpetuity. In fact, even in their heyday both Windows 98 and ME were widely criticised for their instability, bugginess and lax security. For many of us, who had to endure almost daily system crashes for no apparent reason, the arrival of Windows 2000 could not have come a minute too soon.

What is surprising is not that Microsoft has announced the withdrawal of support but that it has continued support for both products for as long as it has. Also surprising is the number of Windows 98 and ME users that still persevere with the platforms. While their frugality is admirable, perhaps even necessary due to economic circumstances, there have already been two major upgrades since they installed their products and a third upgrade is around the corner. Understandably, Microsoft and other security vendors would rather focus their time on patching newer versions of Windows than on an operating system that should have been retired long ago.

Analysts have already said that Windows 98 and ME are becoming risky propositions to run because of the dwindling support for them in the security space. Microsoft is under pressure to boost growth in its stagnating operating system sales and there are at least 70 million users out there who are long overdue for an upgrade.