Windows 98 support shifts to CD

Windows 98 will only be supported by Microsoft for another week; after that, users will have to rely on a free CD containing hints and tips. When Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows 98 support next Friday, the company will make available a free CD designed to help users "make the most of " the ageing operating system without any further assistance from the software giant.

Six years after its launch, Windows 98 is still used by around a quarter of Web surfers. Microsoft announced last year that it would stop supporting Windows 98 from 15 January 2004, meaning that million of users will soon be left exposed when new exploits and vulnerabilities are discovered.

Lars Ahlgren, senior marketing manager at Microsoft, told ZDNet UK that the CD, which has been created in partnership with Future Publishing's Windows magazine, will provide hints and tips, technical content and exclusive Knowledge Base (KB) articles. The content will also be published on Microsoft's support Web sites. "We have made an arrangement with Future Publishing so we get Windows 98 content that is not just technical, it is also about how to get more from your Windows 98 machine. For those who have difficulties getting on the Web or want the content on a CD, we will ship them the CD for free if they call us or register on the Web," said Ahlgren.

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