Windows 98 vs Windows XP

Windows 98 represented the final stage of Microsoft 9x consumer line that was developed on the basis of the MS-DOS operating system that had been used to run personal computers since the early 1980s. Known and compatible this architecture had its own limitations that would prove to be more problematic as the computing needs became more sophisticated.

The multitasking of the 9x kernel was designed to be cooperative such that a single poorly behaved application would crash the whole system. Protecting the memory was very low and the applications had a common memory space as well as direct access to the hardware resources. Although it provided great performance to the games and other older software, it used to compromise the stability and security of the system.

Windows XP represented a bold move by Microsoft in an attempt to introduce the kind of stability that was seen in the enterprise desktops to the consumer desktops. XP was based on the Windows NT platform, which had been in use on business workstations since 1993 and offered preemptive multitasking, defended memory spaces, and a more secure model which radically altered the operation of personal computers.

The design philosophy of the NT kernel was built on the concept of integrity over crude performance in the system. There was a separate memory space allocated to each application, so when one application crashed it did not crash the entire system. Access to hardware was standardized and did not require hardware to be manipulated directly as Windows 98 systems were, which allowed the operating system to be very stable.

Other than technical factors, the windows XP came with a visual revolution, which is its luna theme. The curved edges, drop shadows and the use of gradients in buttons were a radical shift in the plain gray computing interfaces that had prevailed since the 1980s. This was not just cosmetic this new interface showed a new era of user friendly approach to computing.

Such features as Fast User Switching, the redesigned Start Menu, and automatic hardware detection allowed making computers more accessible to non-technical users. The advent of System Restore ensured that users were assured to install new software because they knew that they would easily undo any changes that caused a problem.

The release of windows XP was also accompanied with the change of the internet as a research tool into a mainstream utility. The firewall that was introduced at the operating system (Service Pack 2) and the separation of user accounts were crucial in helping deal with the new threats of the connected era. The single user model of windows 98 and the absence of inbuilt security features made the operating system less and less suitable in the context of computing on the internet.

The architecture choices at Windows XP are reflected to the current operating systems. The principles of design of the NT kernel, such as a safeguarded memory, standardized driver models, and a high level of security, are the principles of Windows 11 since today. In the meantime, the heritage of Windows 98 is found in the niche software where the ability to use DOS and direct hardware compatibility is still useful.

It was not a mere software upgrade but also a change of gears in the way of computing; computing had become more than a hobbyist activity and it is now a necessity to work, communicate and entertain. Users gained stability and security benefits that were brought with XP and computers became dependable enough to be used in a mission-critical environment, which led to the digital transformation that would shape the 21st century.

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