Windows 98 may be most important yet

Windows 95 came to the market like a lion with millions of dollars of advertising and almost-hysterical media hype. Microsoft's replacement for the software, Windows 98, may arrive more like a lamb.

Windows 95 represented a genuine, dramatic improvement in Windows, the basic software used to operate almost every home computer. It looked and worked vastly differently from the program it replaced, Windows 3.1. On the other hand, Windows 98 looks and works in much the same way as Windows 95. So this product introduction, tentatively scheduled for between April and the start of July, won't have the glamour debut of Windows 95. And Microsoft has adopted a low-key approach this time, mostly because the company is in the midst of an antitrust investigation by the Justice Department. Among other things, the government claims Microsoft is squelching competition among Internet browsers by forcing computer manufacturers to install its Web browser, Internet Explorer, along with Windows. Microsoft has since agreed not to require that Explorer be installed, although manufacturers are still free to include both programs with new computers and most have chosen to do just that.

But here's the kicker. Despite looking like Windows 95, Windows 98 contains fundamental changes that may make it the most important Windows yet.

Even in the beta (or test) version being used by hundreds of thousands of computer users right now, it is much more stable than Windows 95. It seems less likely to crash.

It does a better job of recognising new accessories like modems, sound cards and video cards. And it takes advantage of a change in computer hardware called USB (Universal Serial Bus) that allows users to plug in literally hundreds of devices without worrying about hardware conflicts that can cripple a computer. In fact, with USB, a device can be hotswitched, or added or removed without turning off the computer.

It takes into account the desire of most computer users for faster Internet access. You'll be able to connect faster, even without a cable modem or ISDN. Windows 98 has a feature that allows users who have more than one telephone line to use a separate modem on each line. Both modems log on to your Internet provider, then these bundled modems work together to increase connection speed.

An even more exotic Internet technology is included. It will allow your computer to get data directly from the airwaves at high speed. Although this technology is not yet in use, and no introduction date has been set, broadcast television stations will be able to send out data along with their regular programming. A television tuner card (which sells for as little as $100 [£72.50]) will make receiving the data stream possible. But, even before the data broadcasts start, you'll be able to use the TV card to watch regular programming on your computer screen immediately.

Users of Windows 95 were faced with the endless task of locating software updates from Microsoft if they wished to keep the program current. Now, instead of searching the Internet for these free fixes and updates, Windows 98 has the ability to seek out these updates itself and then install them. All that is required is an Internet connection.

Digital video disc (DVD) technology is built in. So whether you use a DVD drive to watch featurelength movies, or to take advantage of its enormous storage capacity, Windows is up to the task.

You'll be able to use your hard disk more efficiently. In a nutshell, your hard disk stores and tracks the files on it using something called a file allocation table (known as FAT). Windows 98 uses a new type of tracking and storage system called FAT32 that is more efficient than the old FAT16. In some cases, users will get hundreds of megabytes of added free space because of the change.

Windows 98 should lessen the effects of Registry errors. And Registry errors happen to be the main cause of problems with Windows 95. The Windows Registry serves as the clearing house for the settings of most of the programs you use. When the Registry files go bad Windows can malfunction or even refuse to start. Windows 98 regularly scans the Registry files for errors, makes backup copies of the files and restores them automatically if need be. With Windows 95, you're forced to manually restore backup files through a fairly complex procedure.

As you use your computer, literally hundreds of temporary files are created. Some of them come from your Internet browser, some come from Windows itself. Up until now, users could remove those files manually, or use commercial programs that seek out unneeded files and delete them. Windows 98 comes with a program called Disk Cleanup that searches out these files and removes them safely and automatically. And if your hard disk gets so full that less than 3 per cent of its space remains, the Disk Cleanup program will start automatically and offer to free up space.

However, all is not perfect with the new operating system from Microsoft.

Ironically, the most ballyhooed feature of Windows 98 and the one that bothers the Justice Department the most may end up being the worst feature of the new Windows.

That feature is the integration of Microsoft's Web browser, Internet Explorer 4.0, into Windows. For instance, after you install Windows, you'll be able to move from folder to folder, or open programs, with a single click of the mouse button. The Windows desktop will work like a Web page. But here's the problem. The integration comes with a cost: running Internet Explorer robs horsepower from Windows and slows it noticeably, even on a modern PC.

Luckily, you can turn this feature off to speed things up again. Once you've turned that feature off, the Windows 98 desktop will look and act just like the one Windows 95 users have seen for years now. But sometimes looks can be deceiving and, in this case, it's what is inside Windows 98 that matters.