Still using Windows 98 or Windows Me?

Are you still using Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) or Windows Millennium (Me)? If you are, consider switching to a better, newer operating system right now!

No, this is not a joke, and we actually tolerate using older software and hardware. But not Windows 98 or Windows Me. The reason is simple: Microsoft will end support for both operating systems on July 11, 2006. This means that neither Windows 98 nor Windows Me will receive any security updates, critical fixes, compatibility patches, etc. Furthermore, both systems will not be able to run the larger part of new popular software.

However, compatibility issues are not the only worries here. Security is a much more important aspect. As for today, Windows 98 and Windows Me are already extremely vulnerable to most kinds of attacks and parasites. Moreover, most antiviruses, firewalls, powerful spyware removers and other security-related products no longer run under the Windows 98/Me environment. And as you know, running the system connected to the Internet without leastwise basic protection is a suicidal practice.

Of course, the choice is yours. You can continue using Windows 98 or Windows Me. According to statistics, there are about 70 millions 98/Me machines around the globe. At the end of 2005, Windows 98 and Windows Me systems made up more than 13 percent of all systems running Microsoft software. Your computer can remain being one of them. It will not hurt anyone, except for you.

It is obvious that most people do not want to spend money on latest hardware and software. Why to pay for a new program, if the old one is doing its job just fine? We cannot disagree. But switching to a new system is not always expensive. A lot of users think that computers running Windows 98 or Windows Me cannot run a newer OS. That’s not always right. Just take a look on the minimum system requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2:

233 MHz Intel Pentium or AMD K6 processor (300 MHz or higher recommended);
64 MB of RAM (128 MB or higher recommended);
1.8 GB of available hard disk space;
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor and graphics card;
CD-ROM drive.

Most systems working under Windows 98 and Windows Me really CAN run Windows XP.