Quincy Center for Technical Education
Computer Technology Department


Comparing Windows 9x Features

     Windows 95 and Windows 98 are actually pretty much the same. They share the same architecture and function the same in every major area. Windows 98 is often described as Windows 95 OSR2 with Internet Explorer, a few new device drivers, and some housekeeping utilities added.

     Windows 98 did add some features and functions that do differentiate the two operating systems including the following:
  • Active Desktop and Internet Explorer: Windows 98 allows the desktop and folders to be viewed as a Web page and includes Internet Explorer

  • Fixes, patches and additions: Windows 98 incorporated all the user service packs and OEM updates (OSRs) that had been released for Windows 95. Most prominent among these were the following:

    • System Configuration utility: Used to modify the startup files (AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS), the Registry, and so on.
    • FAT32 Converter: Converts an existing FAT16 disk format to the more efficient FAT32 format. However, this action cannot be reversed.
    • Task Scheduler: Typically, used to set up regular runs for maintenance tasks, but can be used to run any program at a set time or date.
    • Dr. Watson: This utility is used to aid troubleshooting of application program crashes.
    • Registry checker: Automatically repairs, compresses, and backs up the Registry files.

  • New device support: Windows 98 included support for several new devices, including:

    • USB and IEEE (Firewire) devices
    • OnNow and ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), which allow the PC to be put to sleep instead of powered down.
    • DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drives and TV tuners
    • Multiple Monitors.

Comparing Windows 9x Features


     Many of the features in the table below indicated as not available on one or both of the Windows 95 versions could be added through downloads and application software. For example, Windows 95 did not include device drivers for a DVD, and the drivers had to be downloaded from the manufacturer; also, Active Desktop had to be implemented through Internet Explorer 4.0. The information in the table shows the native features of each Windows 9x release for comparison purposes. You will see questions on the test that require you to know which versions had which features.

Feature Win 98 SE Win 98 Win 95 OSR2(95b/OEM) Win 95a (Retail)
ACPI support Yes Yes No No
Active Desktop Yes Yes No No
Backup Utility Yes Yes No No
Dialup Networking Yes Yes Yes Yes
Disk Management Yes Yes No No
DVD support Yes No No No
FAT32 Yes Yes Yes No
Fat32 Conversion Yes Yes No No
Internet Connection Sharing Yes No No No
Multiple Monitors Yes Yes No No
OnNow support Yes Yes No No
Task Scheduler Yes Yes No No
USB support Yes Yes Yes No
Windows Utility Update Yes Yes No No