This update resolves the "Windows Share Level Password" vulnerability in Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition. If a computer that is linked to a network has File and Print Sharing enabled, and has at least one password-protected folder shared, it may be possible for a user on the network to gain unauthorized access to the folder. This vulnerability exists because of the way the password feature of share level access is implemented for Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE computers. A malicious user can exploit this vulnerability and use a special client utility to gain access to a share without knowing the entire password, and may be able to retrieve, modify, or delete any file within that share. Download now to prevent unauthorized access to files that are shared over a network that uses share level security

This update resolves a shutdown issue in Windows 98 Second Edition, where Windows may stop responding if there are a significant number of mapped network drives on your computer. The larger the number of drives that are mapped, the more likely the problem may occur.

This update installs a Safe Removal utility that allows you to safely stop a Plug and Play storage device prior to physically unplugging the device. This component also includes an update for 1394 drivers, to resolve issues related to the surprise removal of peripheral devices.

This update addresses an issue on Windows® 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition computers that have an integrated device electronics (IDE) hard disk that is larger than 32 gigabytes (GB) in size. If you use the protected-mode (graphical) version of ScanDisk to perform a thorough scan (which includes a surface scan) on an IDE hard disk that is larger than 32 GB, ScanDisk may report errors on every cluster after approximately cluster number 967,393.

This update resolves an issue that can cause some third party software to behave unexpectedly after the installation of the Works Suite 99, Encarta Encyclopedia 99 (U.S. only), Encarta Virtual Globe 99, Graphics Studio Greetings 99, and/or other third party software. This update works on all language versions. Installing this update will prevent some existing applications and new versions of third party software from crashing because of incompatibility between some Microsoft applications and third party software.