Win 98SE Consolidated Updates Collection

I am restoring an older PC to run Win98SE so I can use some older software.  I still had my original Win98SE installation discs, so I have Win98SE installed and running on the target PC in a clean install on a new hard drive.

As I do not want to put the target PC on line (and am not certain I remember how to do that if I wanted to), the problem I want to solve is to update this 'new' Win98SE installation up to the point Microsoft support stopped.

I have found what appears to be a consolidated listing of all Microsoft Win98SE updates on <archive.org> that I was able to download in Zip format to a Win7-Pro PC.  The listing appears to be something that an individual (not Microsoft) assembled for his/her own purposes.  When I upzipped the file, it appears to be what I am looking for except that the listed items seem to be in random order rather in a release date order.  I propose to transfer this set of files to a DVD disc so I can load them to my 'new' W98SE PC.

Q1:  Is it safe to use a file collection obtained as I have described?

Q2:  Must Win98SE updates be installed in release date order or can I install updates in any order?

Q3:  As I am now 85 and have forgotten a good bit of what I thought I once knew about W98SE, I need simple, step-by-step, guidance if I am to complete this W98SE installation.  ALL comments, guidance, suggestions, or whatever - positive or negative - are welcome!

I am restoring an older PC to run Win98SE so I can use some older software.  I still had my original Win98SE installation discs, so I have Win98SE installed and running on the target PC in a clean install on a new hard drive.

 

As I do not want to put the target PC on line (and am not certain I remember how to do that if I wanted to), the problem I want to solve is to update this 'new' Win98SE installation up to the point Microsoft support stopped.

 

I have found what appears to be a consolidated listing of all Microsoft Win98SE updates on <archive.org> that I was able to download in Zip format to a Win7-Pro PC.  The listing appears to be something that an individual (not Microsoft) assembled for his/her own purposes.  When I upzipped the file, it appears to be what I am looking for except that the listed items seem to be in random order rather in a release date order.  I propose to transfer this set of files to a DVD disc so I can load them to my 'new' W98SE PC.

5 months too late perhaps, but I had this issue also.

I built a Win 98 SE gaming computer to play some old games on that will never be connected to the internet.  I also found that consolidated list of Win98SE updates on <archive.org>, and It wasn't quite what I wanted ether. I did manage to find something called "Unofficial Windows 98 Second Edition Service Pack 3.65" that met my needs. It has all the Microsoft updates, hot fixes, and security patches - as well as some non Microsoft additions for the OS. The good thing about this "service pack" is all the Microsoft updates are installable with a one-click file (like an official service pack), while the extras can be installed individually as needed.  I'm unsure of the policy on posting other websites here, but you should be able to find the file by searching for it. I had no issues installing the MS updates. I got it from a site I have been a member of since 2008 that I trust but even so I poked the file with all the security sticks at my disposal (as I do with all such downloads).

I imagine you have already dealt with the issue by this time, but just in case . . .

StealthRetro

Edited by StealthRetro, 28 May 2023 - 04:25 AM.

I haven't had a fully updated Windows 98 install since that OS was still supported by Microsoft. Since my old computers are never on the Internet (and shouldn't be), I just install patches as needed. I have nothing but the shutdown supplement installed on one computer, but it didn't actually help with my shutdown problems (it appears to be a graphics driver bug).

It's nice that one of those unofficial service packs has the option to just install Microsoft updates and nothing else. I've seen some of those make other changes that just create new problems.