You are now in a minimal DOS environment. We need to prepare the hard drive (HDD) inside your computer to accept Windows 98.
Booting Windows 98 from a USB drive is a classic challenge for retro-computing enthusiasts. Because Windows 98 was released before USB booting became a standard BIOS feature, the process requires specific tools to bridge the gap between modern storage and vintage software.
This is a classic retro-computing challenge. (it predates USB boot standards). However, you can achieve it using a boot manager and emulation. boot windows 98 from usb
: After installation, you'll need the Native USB Driver (NUSB) to use standard USB sticks within Windows 98 itself. If you'd like to dive deeper, let me know: The specs of the PC you're using. If you're getting a specific error code during boot.
(Note: Drive letter C: is usually the HDD, not the USB, after boot. Adjust if needed.) You are now in a minimal DOS environment
Obtain the latest version from the official Rufus website.
(This swaps USB to become the first hard disk.) Because Windows 98 was released before USB booting
A capacity of 32 GB or smaller is recommended. While Windows 98 technically supports larger drives, FAT32 partitions over 32 GB can cause compatibility issues during the initial setup.
If you simply want to experience Windows 98 (play old games, run old software), It is unstable and incompatible with modern hardware.