Microsoft ends 98 and ME support

Microsoft is to stop supporting Windows 98 and Windows ME from today, and is urging the estimated 70 million users of the operating system to upgrade. Microsoft originally stopped giving free support the product in late 2003, but still offered paid support and released critical security updates. However both these services end today. Microsoft, in a statement, said it was "ending support for [Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows ME] because they are outdated and these older operating systems can expose customers to security risks". Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security company Sophos, said a lack of Microsoft security patches may force people to upgrade to a newer, safer system: "It's a shame that Microsoft is killing off support for Windows 98 today as there are many computer users, both at home and in business, who continue to rely upon it. “However, with no new OS security patches for Windows 98 coming from Microsoft, people will need to think very carefully about whether it is safe to connect these older computers to the internet, or whether they will be forced by Microsoft's decision to upgrade to a more recent operating system." Microsoft has promised to keep support information for the systems online until at least this time next year. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/

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