How To Create A Bootable USB for Windows 98

Create A Bootable USB for Windows 98

Last updated on March 10th, 2024 at 5:33 pm

Ah, the good old days, when Microsoft didn’t force updates on us every five minutes and when we were still struggling to figure out the mechanics of Minesweeper.

For these nostalgic types, there are still versions of Windows 98 floating around on the internet and, because Microsoft has stopped all active support and development of these dinosaurs, many of these versions are legally free. Still, the million question is: how exactly do you load these operating systems onto your PC or laptop?

Luckily, there’s a relatively simple answer to this question, and that’s what this guide focuses on. You’ll need to download Rufus, which essentially turns a flash drive into that Windows 98 bootable USB. We’re here to walk you through this process, though, as the idea of reloading your operating system can sometimes be a bit daunting.

Can You Create Bootable USB On Your Windows 98?

Well, creating a bootable USB on Windows 98 can be a bit challenging due to its age and limited support for modern USB devices and file systems. Here are the technical requirements and steps you’ll need to follow:

Before you proceed, please review the following prerequisites:

1. The target system should support booting from a USB drive, be it a Flash drive or a HDD.

2. Ensure that the target system is equipped with an IDE hard disk drive, as SATA drives may not be compatible. If you have a SATA hard drive installed, set the ‘Legacy/IDE’ option in the BIOS setup menu (do not use ‘AHCI’).

3. Be aware that older system BIOSes might have a 137GB hard disk limitation. Installing on a hard disk larger than 137GB or using a USB Hard Disk exceeding this capacity may cause issues. E2B (Easy2Boot) will issue a warning if this situation arises.

4. Your target system must have a minimum of 256MB of memory, as the ISO contents are copied to RAM during the process. 

5. You’ll require a utility like Daemon Tools Pro or UltraISO to delete certain folders from within the Win98SE ISO. This step is crucial to avoid losing the boot sectors from the ISO.

6. Be aware that Windows 98 may lack the appropriate drivers for your audio, network, and graphics devices. You may need to obtain and install these drivers separately.

7. Obtain the Windows 98 SE ISO (installation file) by yourself. It is preferable that the ISO is bootable, but it can also be non-bootable. You can try obtaining it from sources such as here (OEM Full version is bootable) or other reputable sources.

8. In case the Win98 ISO is not bootable, you will need to acquire the optional Windows 98 SE 1.44Mb floppy .img image file.

9. If you plan to attempt this installation using a Virtual Machine (e.g., Oracle VirtualBox), ensure that it is configured for Windows 98. Allocate a small amount of memory for Display VGA memory and not more than 1GB of system memory (RAM). Also, use an IDE virtual hard disk.

Taking these requirements into account will help ensure a smooth and successful installation of Windows 98 SE. 

How To Create A Bootable USB for Windows 98

This is not an overly complicated or lengthy process as Rufus does most of the work for you, but creating a Windows 98 bootable USB does need to be done correctly, so, without further ado, let’s begin.

Step 1: Insert a clean flash drive

First, you’ll need to plug in a clean flash drive and start-up Rufus. Ensure that the correct flash drive is selected under the Device tab.

clean flash drive

Step 2: Customize settings

Under Boot Selection, you’ll need to make sure that it’s set to Disk or ISO image and then click on Select next to it to select the Windows 98 ISO file that you downloaded.

Customize settings


Step 3: Select partition scheme

Under Image Option, select Standard Windows Installation. Rufus will then select the best partition scheme and target system based on your machine, but you can customize these in any way you choose to if you know what you’re doing. This step is essential to create a Windows 98 bootable USB.

Select partition scheme


Step 4: Finalize your Windows 98 bootable USB

You can change the Volume Label to whatever you choose, or leave it as the default name and leave all of the other settings as-is. Then click on Start, and Rufus will begin to program your USB. Once it’s finished, then your bootable USB is ready to go.

Windows 98 bootable USB

Booting Up The Past

These were the easiest steps to create a bootable USB for Windows 98. If you have any problem regarding these steps you can ask in the comments section I will be happy to help you.

Many people in this world will say that previous versions of Windows were way better than the version that we are using today, and, in some ways, this may be true.

There was far less bloatware that we were forced to run, and we could choose when we wanted to install our updates. We had more freedom, and the programs that we worked on were much simpler and straightforward.

But as time has gone on, we’ve moved into an era that depends on technology for its survival. Once we had to leave the telephone at the end of its cord, it now travels with us as an ever-present best friend.

And where computers were a bonus to any workplace, now it’s impossible to function without them. Technology is a phenomenal thing, but sometimes it’s nice to take a trip down memory lane and remember where it all started.

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Post

Recent Post

How To Download And Install Internet Explorer 11 For Windows 10

By TechCommuters / March 8, 2024

Introduction: Internet Explorer (IE) 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s web browser included with Windows 10. Even though Microsoft Edge has replaced IE as the default browser in Windows 10, many users still prefer using IE for compatibility with older websites and enterprise apps. Internet Explorer 11 includes improved standards support, faster page load […]

21 Best Car Driving Games For PC Offline/Online [Latest]

By TechCommuters / March 6, 2024

Introduction: Cars and driving games have always been popular in the video game world. Whether you want to race at 200mph, perform crazy stunts, or just go on a leisurely Sunday drive, there are tons of great latest car racing games for PC that let you live out your automotive fantasies. In this article, we’ll […]

14 Best Free Browser For Android TV In 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 4, 2024

Introduction: Watching videos, checking social media, and browsing the web on the big screen is easier than ever with Android TV. Most smart TVs today run on Android TV, allowing users to install apps directly on their televisions. This includes web browsers – opening up a whole new world of web experiences designed for the […]

Top 11 Best Budget Smartwatches for 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 3, 2024

Here we are going to discuss the most economical and best budget smartwatches for you in 2024. The smartwatch has become many people’s personal sidekick or even a personal assistant: Not only can your smartwatch wake you up in the morning, but it also notifies you when you receive a new email or the like. […]

10 Best Sites to Download PC Games For Free In 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 2, 2024

Introduction: Looking for the best site to download PC games for free? You’ve come to the right place. In the golden age of digital distribution, there are more options than ever before for gamers to purchase and download PC games legitimately and legally. From major publishers’ platforms to online stores and subscription services, the PC […]

How To Fix Hulu Error Code 21 [Latest Guide]

By TechCommuters / February 29, 2024

Introduction: With its extensive catalog of television, film, and originals, Hulu stands as a top streaming platform. However, as with any technology, users occasionally run into technical difficulties. A common error Hulu subscribers may encounter is the frustrating Error Code 21. This error code typically appears when there is an issue with the Hulu app […]

What Are Crypto Exchanges And How Do They Work

By TechCommuters / February 27, 2024

Introduction: Cryptocurrencies have exploded in popularity in recent years. Driving mainstream adoption are crypto exchanges – online platforms that allow investors to easily buy, sell, and trade digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Crypto exchanges provide the critical infrastructure that allows individuals and institutions seamless entry into the crypto ecosystem. But how exactly do these […]

How To Fix Preparing Automatic Repair Loop On Windows 10/11

By TechCommuters / February 26, 2024

Introduction: The “Preparing automatic repair” loop is a common issue that affects Windows 10 and 11 users when the operating system fails to boot properly. This automatic repair process tries to diagnose and fix boot issues but often gets stuck repeatedly restarting and checking for problems, creating an endless loop. There are several potential causes […]

15 Best Disk Partition Software for Windows 11 and 10 [2024]

By TechCommuters / February 25, 2024

Table Of Contents: Introduction What is Disk Partitioning Why is disk partitioning needed? How to do disk partitioning? Best Disk Partition Software for Windows 11/10/8/7 in 2024 EaseUS Partition Master MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Paragon Partition Manager AOMEI Partition Assistant Active@ Partition Manager Tenorshare Partition Manager GParted Cute Partition Manager Macrorit Partition Expert IM-Magic Partition […]

10 Best Password Manager for Mac 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / February 24, 2024

Introduction: Using a Mac password manager app is one of the best ways to stay secure online. A good password management app generates strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, remembers them for you, and helps you log in quickly and easily. When choosing a password manager for your Mac, you’ll want one that is […]