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Windows 98 - Tools on the installation CD

November 29, 2013
Updated: December 6, 2021
Quick overview:

In addition to the many secrets in the deep Windows system, which we uncover on Windows Tweaks, Microsoft also conceals some programs on the installation CD-ROM, which are very useful and thus belong to the clear added value. We will now introduce you to the most important of these tools individually...

TweakUI 1.0

Behind this small program hides a powerful tool for changing system settings. The easy-to-use program allows you to change and improve everything from visual effects to user rights and drive letters. The program can be found on the Windows 98 CD-ROM in the directory \tools\reskit\powertoy. Here you must click with the right mouse button on tweakui.inf click and then Install choose.

You will then find it again in the Control Panel, where you will always have easy access to the various settings.

Personal Web Server 4.0

In the CD directory under \Addons\Pws\ is the 26 MByte program. It can be used to operate a small intranet. A page on the Internet can be simulated. However, it is only a light version and therefore very limited in its functions and unsuitable for "real" Internet use.

Windows 98 Fax

Is in the CD directory under \Tools\Oldwin95\Message\ to find.
When Windows was launched on the market, many users were furious because the fax function was no longer available. Microsoft therefore "somewhat" concealed it on the CD anyway. The reason for this should be clear: Under Windows 95, the program was bug-infested and too complicated to use.

DOS tools for Windows 98

In the CD directory under /Tools/Oldmsdos. Here you will not only find the well-known programming tool QBasic, but also a few additional commands and the very extensive MS-DOS help file, which lists and explains all parameters for DOS commands, among other things.

The technical reference

It is located under \tools\reskit\.
Microsoft has included the technical reference on the CD (unfortunately only in English). The German version is available as a book and has 2000 pages (!!!).
If you click on "Setup" here, a "management console" is installed, which is familiar from Windows NT/2000 and from which you can access all tools. There are also short descriptions for this.

Here you will find a few rather unimportant programs with a brief description:

Windiff - This is a program with which you can determine the differences between two files.

Checklinks - It deletes links that no longer exist from the start menu. The program is in English.

Cliptray - It extends the Windows clipboard. This makes it easy to copy out individual text blocks and use them as a mail signature or for scripts, for example. Smart tool!!!

Where - A DOS search program with various options that are displayed with the /? parameter. It can be copied to the C:/WINDOWS/COMMAND folder for regular use. It is then available under DOS.

Text viewer - A boring and, compared to Notepad, only slightly enhanced tool for writing.

Quicktray - This allows you to integrate programs into the systray and start them from there. Actually pointless, as this can be done in the taskbar under Windows 98 anyway.

Batch 98 - This allows you to create your own installation sequences. Comprehensive tool!

Scripting Tools - Here you can find the Windows Scripting Host with which BATCH can create files.

Configuration Tools - Here you will find the already mentioned Timezone Editor, a FAT32 test program and a Codepage Changer.

NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.

Founded Windows Tweaks as a teenager in the 90s. His helpful PC tricks made it Germany's most visited Windows site (at the time Sandro looked like this). He then went on to write elsewhere, for example for PC-Praxis, Computer Bild and PCWorld in the USA. Microsoft also poached him from us. Now Sandro is back, finally sharing his tweaks here again. For a stress-free digital everyday life. You can reach Sandro via e-mail.

One comment on: Windows 98 - Tools on the installation CD

  1. Hello,
    An interesting site! Makes a good impression.

    I am in the "embarrassing position" of having to install Win98 again on an old PC with old bios and SCSI, because a Polaroid SprintScan 4000 has to be tested to see if it still runs without errors.
    This software requires win95, win98 or winNT4.
    The last time I did that was 20 years ago. Today I have a problem with it, I can't do it anymore and I'm trying it out. These are obviously driver problems. I got the Win98 software from the Internet, it doesn't work as I wanted.
    A systematic guide might be helpful. I'll keep looking.
    MfG
    Theo Richter

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