Editing Windows 98 (section)

===Other system tools===
A number of improvements are made to various other system tools and accessories in Windows 98. Microsoft Backup supports differential backup and [[SCSI]] [[Tape drive|tape]] devices in Windows 98. Disk Cleanup, a new tool, enables users to clear their disks of unnecessary files. Cleanup locations are extensible through Disk Cleanup handlers. Disk Cleanup can be automated for regular silent cleanups.<ref name=SCv6i6p44>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=44}}</ref>

Scanreg (DOS) and ScanRegW are Registry Checker tools used to back up, restore or optimize the [[Windows registry]]. ScanRegW tests the registry's integrity and saves a backup copy each time Windows successfully boots. The maximum number of copies could be customized by the user through "scanreg.ini" file. The restoration of a registry that causes Windows to fail to boot can only be done from DOS mode using ScanReg.<ref name=PCMAGp325>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA325 325]}}</ref>

[[Msconfig|System Configuration Utility]] is a new system utility used to disable programs and services that are not required to run the computer.<ref name=PCMAGp342>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA342 342]}}</ref> A Maintenance Wizard is included that schedules and automates [[SCANDISK|ScanDisk]], Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup.<ref name=gs79>{{harvnb|Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98|1998|p=79}}</ref> [[Windows Script Host]], with [[VBScript]] and [[JScript]] engines is built-in and upgradeable to version 5.6. [[System File Checker]] checks installed versions of system files to ensure they were the same version as the one installed with Windows 98 or newer. Corrupt or older versions are replaced by the correct versions.<ref name=PCMAGp131>{{harvnb|PC Magazine, August|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4c8Qbd14llIC&pg=PA131 131]}}</ref> This tool was introduced to resolve the [[DLL hell]] issue and was replaced in Windows Me by [[Windows File Protection|System File Protection]].

Windows 98 Setup simplifies installation, reducing the bulk of user input required.<ref name=RK22>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=22}}</ref> The Windows 98 Startup Disk contains generic, real-mode [[Parallel ATA#ATAPI|ATAPI]] and [[SCSI]] CD-ROM drivers that can be used instead in the event that the specific driver for a CD-ROM is unavailable.<ref name=RK75>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=75}}</ref>

The system could be updated using Windows Update.<ref name=PCMAGp131/> A utility to automatically notify the user of critical updates was later released.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorldMagazine|title=The Update update|last=Nott|first=Tim|magazine=[[Personal Computer World]]|date=May 1999|access-date=October 27, 2019|page=234}}</ref>

Windows 98 includes an improved version of the [[Dr. Watson (debugger)|Dr. Watson]] utility that collects and lists comprehensive information such as running tasks, startup programs with their command line switches, system patches, kernel driver, user drivers, DOS drivers and 16-bit modules. With Dr. Watson loaded in the system tray, whenever a software fault occurs (general protection fault, hang, etc.), Dr. Watson will intercept it and indicate what software crashed and its cause.<ref name=PCMAGp131/>

Windows Report Tool takes a snapshot of system configuration and lets users submit a manual problem report along with system information to technicians. It has e-mail confirmation for submitted reports.<ref name=PCMAGp342/>

====Accessories====
Windows 98 includes [[Magnifier (Windows)|Microsoft Magnifier]],<ref name=SCv6i6p31>{{harvnb|Smart Computing, June|2000|p=31}}</ref> Accessibility Wizard and [[Microsoft Active Accessibility]] 1.1 API (upgradeable to MSAA 2.0.) A new [[HTML Help]] system with 15 Troubleshooting Wizards was introduced to replace [[WinHelp]].

Users can configure the font in [[Notepad (Windows)|Notepad]]. [[Microsoft Paint]] supports GIF transparency. [[HyperTerminal]] supports a TCP/IP connection method, which allows it to be used as a Telnet client. [[Imaging for Windows]] is updated. [[System Monitor]]—used to track the performance of hardware and software—supports output to a log file.<ref name=RK1221>{{harvnb|Resource Kit|1998|p=1221}}</ref>

====Miscellaneous improvements====
* [[Telephony Application Programming Interface|Telephony API]] (TAPI) 2.1
* [[Distributed Component Object Model|DCOM]] version 1.2
* Ability to list fonts by similarity determined using [[PANOSE]] information.
* Tools to automate setup, such as Batch 98 and INFInst.exe, support error-checking, gathering information automatically to create an [[INF file]] directly from a machine's registry, customizing IE4, shell and desktop settings and adding custom drivers.
* Several other [[Resource Kit]] tools are included on the Windows 98 CD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/247024/en-us|title=Tools Included with the Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915025631/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/247024/tools-included-with-the-microsoft-windows-98-resource-kit|archive-date=September 15, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>
* Windows 98 has new system event sounds for ''Low Battery Alarm'' and ''Critical Battery Alarm''.
* Windows 98 also introduced new and updated system sounds. The new startup sound for Windows 98 was composed by Microsoft sound engineer Ken Kato, who considered it to be a "tough act to follow".<ref name="SpeakHertz">{{cite web|url=http://speakhertz.com/6706/interview-343-industries-audio-manager-ken-kato|title=Interview: 343 Industries Audio Manager – Ken Kato|date=February 19, 2014|website=SpeakHertz|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417135108/http://speakhertz.com/6706/interview-343-industries-audio-manager-ken-kato|archive-date=April 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Windows 98 shipped with [[Flash Player]] and [[Shockwave Player]] preinstalled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macromedia+Shockwave(TM)+and+Flash(TM)+Players+Incorporated+Into...-a020957947|title=Macromedia Shockwave(TM) and Flash(TM) Players Incorporated Into Windows 98|work=Free Online Library|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520225041/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macromedia+Shockwave(TM)+and+Flash(TM)+Players+Incorporated+Into...-a020957947|archive-date=May 20, 2017|access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref>