Microsoft will roll out a new
feature for the Windows 98 operating system next week that will alert users to critical bug
fixes and patches needed for their system, the company announced today.
Windows Critical Update is an expanded feature of Windows Update, which
itself is a new component of Windows 98. Windows Update scans a user's
system and identifies
files that can be updated. Windows Update also offers accessory
downloads like wallpapers and screensavers.
Thus far, Windows Update has offered patches for Internet Explorer, Outlook
Express, and multimedia application updates for Windows 98. The upcoming
Windows 98 Service Pack will eventually be available through Windows Update.
Windows 98 users who subscribe to Windows Critical Update will be notified
upon connecting to the Internet about any Critical Update available on the
Windows Update site, Microsoft said, and will then be offered an option to
immediately download the update.
"Microsoft will post what they consider Critical Updates," a Microsoft
spokesman said. "That includes a patch to Outlook Express or a patch to
Internet Explorer. That's the type of thing that they will alert a
subscriber to, not just Critical Updates in Windows 98, but any (Microsoft)
products that Windows 98 works with."
Windows Critical Update was released to beta groups for testing in
mid-September, and will be deployed to all Windows 98 users sometime next
week, Microsoft said.