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Microsoft Won`t Be Fixing 98 & ME Anymore

Although it`s hard finding a computer that isn`t running Microsoft Windows XP, there are still people who hasn`t abandoned their aging Windows 98 and Windows ME operating system. Some people stick to old operating system because their computers aren`t strong enough to operate newer, more power consuming, applications, and other people just find it uncomfortable getting used to something new. Either way, those people now have a serious problem.

A crucial security vulnerability in both Windows 98 and Windows ME will be left as-is now that Microsoft announced that because support for both operating systems will expire soon, they are not going to offer solutions to the flaw. Attackers are able to exploit the flaw and take over systems operating on Windows 98 or Windows ME. "This remote file server could then cause Windows Explorer to fail in a way that could allow code execution," Microsoft said.

Microsoft already released patches for newer Windows versions, and Windows 98 & ME were the only ones that needed fixing. Now it`s clear that the desired patch will never show, and people running obsolete systems might have to migrate to newer ones. "After extensive investigation, Microsoft has found that it is not feasible to make the extensive changes necessary...to eliminate the vulnerability," Microsoft`s bulletin states. "We have found that these architectures will not support a fix for this issue now or in the future."