Microsoft to Cut Support for Windows 98 & ME in July

Microsoft is reminding its customers who run Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Millennium operating systems that it will be pulling the plug on all support functions for the nearly decade-old software, TechWeb reports via iTnews.com.au.

On July 11, the company will cease to provide security updates for the older operating systems, according to TechWeb.

“Microsoft is ending support for these products because they are outdated and these older systems can expose customers to security risks,” a notice posted on Microsoft’s website read, according to Tech Web. “We recommend that customers who are still running Windows 98 or Windows Me upgrade to a newer, more secure Microsoft operating system, such as Windows XP.”

Earlier this week, Microsoft issued three critical security patches for the aging operating systems, TechWeb reports.

Microsoft had originally slated the final support stage for the operating systems for January 2004, but that date was shifted to June 30, 2006, according to TechWeb. In January, the date was bumped again to July 11, the planned release date for July’s security updates, so a final bulletin could be issued, TechWeb reports.

The Windows 98 operating system is still used on a moderate percentage of consumer machines, but few corporations still run the software, according to TechWeb.

This article is posted on our Microsoft Informer page. For more news on the Redmond, Wash.-based powerhouse, keep checking in.

Also, have a listen to CIO Publisher Gary Beach’s podcast on Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, Vista, as well as the topic of open source.

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