Windows 95 → 98 → ME
Complete Specs, Features + Upgrades

This guide refers STRICTLY to ALL Microsoft Windows 95, 98 + ME retail/final/gamma/Gold/RTM/OEM/MSDN releases (NOT alpha/beta/RCx/test/interim/pre-release/preview), English releases ONLY, versions + editions [including Builds, Service Packs (SPs), Updates + Patches], unless specified otherwise.
And your Windows 95 → 98 → ME version/build is... [separate page]
Similar resources:
• Wikipedia: List of Microsoft Windows Versions
• MSKB: How to Determine the Version of Windows 95/98/ME
• MSKB: Windows/WfWG 1.x-3.11 Version History
• Wikipedia: List of Microsoft Code Names
• Microsoft: A History of Windows
• The GUI Gallery
• Wikipedia: History of Microsoft Windows
• The Unusual History of Microsoft Windows
• Wikipedia: MS-DOS
• Wikipedia: Comparison of x86 DOS Operating Systems
• Versions of Windows 9x
• Windows Versions
• Operating Systems Technical Comparison
• Microsoft Code Names
• GUIdebook: Graphical User Interface gallery
• PC Museum - Windows
• PC Museum - DOS
• History of Microsoft Windows
• MS-DOS History
• DOS Timeline Part One - 1980 to 1993
• DOS Timeline Part Two - 1994 Onwards
• Windows History

ALL current Microsoft Windows 95, 98 + ME final Gold (retail, OEM/VAR + upgrades) releases Specs, Features + FREE Updates:

1. Windows 95 original retail version 4.00.0950 [KERNEL32.DLL build 4.00.0950, date-time: 7-11-1995, 09:50:00] + MS-DOS 7.00 [4.00.0950], available both on floppies and CD-ROM, FULL release, UPGRADE and OEM.
   Released: 8-15-1995.
   MSRP:
   • Windows 95 CD-ROM FULL + OEM release = $209 US
   • Windows 95 CD-ROM UPGRADE = $109 US
   A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 95 ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

2. Windows 95a version 4.00.0950 A OEM Service Release (OSR) 1 [KERNEL32.DLL build 4.00.0951, date-time: 2-2-1996, 09:51:00] + MS-DOS 7.00 [4.00.0950], UPGRADED from Windows 95 original retail [4.00.0950] with Microsoft Service Pack 1 (SP1), free upgrade available ONLY from Microsoft web site.
   MSRP: free
   A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 95A OSR1 ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

3. Windows 95B version 4.00.0950 B OEM Service Release (OSR) 2.0 [KERNEL32.DLL build 4.00.1111, date-time: 8-24-1996, 11:11:11] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.00.1111], is the second Windows 95 release, available ONLY bundled with new PC hardware, ONLY from OEM vendors, ONLY on CD-ROM, FULL release ONLY.
   MSRP: $109 US
   A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 95B OSR 2.0 ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

4. Windows 95B version 4.00.0950 B OEM Service Release (OSR) 2.1 [KERNEL32.DLL build 4.03.1212 (old) or 4.03.1214 (new), date-time: 4-10-1997, 12:14:00] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.00.1111], upgraded from Windows 95B 4.00.0950 B OSR 2.0 with Microsoft USB Service Upgrade Pack (USBSUP) to OSR 2.1, also available on CD-ROM, OEM ONLY, full release ONLY.
   MSRP:
   • Windows 95B OSR 2.1 CD-ROM FULL release = $109 US
   • Windows 95B OSR 2.1 download UPGRADE = free
   A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 95B OSR 2.1 ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

5. Windows 95C version 4.00.0950 C OEM Service Release (OSR) 2.5 [KERNEL32.DLL build 4.03.1214, date-time: 11-26-1997, 12:14:00] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.00.1111], a point upgrade, on a single CD-ROM, OEM ONLY, full release ONLY.
   MSRP: $109 US
   • OSR 2.5 features:
     1. Core update for Intel Pentium II CPUs.
     2. Internet Explorer v4.01 (supports HTML 4.0 standard, DHTML, XML, CSS) integrated into the Active Desktop.
        UPDATED: Microsoft released Internet Explorer v5.5 SP2.
     3. FAT32X 32-bit File System, a newer version of FAT32 (File Allocation System 32-bit), which supports drives larger than 8 GB.
     4. DirectX v5.0 APIs: DirectDraw, Direct3D, DirectVideo, DirectSound, DirectPlay + DirectInput.
        UPDATED: Microsoft released DirectX v8.xx APIs.
     5. MMX (MultiMedia EXtensions) processor class support.
     6. Support for newer PCI audio/3D surround, UDMA (Ultra DMA EIDE hard drives) PCI I/O, AGP (Advanced Graphics Port) video and USB (Universal Serial Bus) peripherals.
   A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 95C OSR 2.5 ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

6. ... And here it comes... Windows 98, in two different retail/final/gamma/Gold/RTM versions:
   1. Windows 98 final retail (a beefed up RC5), version 4.10.1998 [date-time: 5-11-1998, 20:01:00 + KERNEL32.DLL build 4.10.1998] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.10.1998].
      Released: 6-25-1998.
      MSRP:
      • Windows 98 CD-ROM FULL release = $209 US
      • Windows 98 CD-ROM UPGRADE = $109 US

7. Windows 98 final OEM/VAR FULL release only (retail version modified), version 4.10.1998 [date-time: 5-11-1998, 20:01:00 + KERNEL32.DLL build 4.10.1998] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.10.1998], available ONLY bundled with a new PC.
   Released: 6-15-1998.
   MSRP: $109 US

• Windows 98 features:
  1. Internet Explorer v4.01 (supports HTML 4.0 standard, DHTML, XML, CSS) integrated into the Active Desktop.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released Internet Explorer v6.0 SP1.
  2. FAT32+ (File Allocation Table 32-bit) integrated into the OS.
  3. Extended support for Pentium II class CPUs.
  4. Multi monitor/video controller and AGP (Advanced Graphics Port) flavors (AGP, AGPx1, AGPx2) support.
  5. DirectX v5.1 APIs: DirectDraw, Direct3D, DirectVideo, DirectSound, DirectPlay + DirectInput.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released DirectX v9.0c APIs.
  6. USB (Universal Serial Bus) and FireWire (IEEE 1394) interface support.
  7. Support for newer PCI audio/3D surround and UDMA (Ultra DMA EIDE hard drives) PCI I/O devices.
  8. MMX (MultiMedia EXtensions) processor class support.
  9. DVD (Digital Versatile/Video Disk) support.
  10. QuickBoot: Startup/Shut-down decreased delays.
  11. Internet based automatic system updates (Live Update Manager).
  12. WDM (Win32 Driver Model) architecture similar to Windows 2000.
  13. Windows 3.xx easy migration support.
  14. ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface).
  15. OnNow support to meet the PC98 specs.

A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 98 ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

... And this is (finally!)... Windows 98 Second Edition (Updates) SE(U): ONLY on CD-ROM, in two different retail/final/gamma/Gold/RTM versions:

1. Windows 98 SE(U) final retail, version 4.10.2222 A [date-time: 4-23-1999, 22:22:00 + KERNEL32.DLL build 4.10.2222] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.10.2222].
   Released: 6-25-1999.
   MSRP:
   • Windows 98 SE CD-ROM FULL release = $109 US
   • Windows 98 SE CD-ROM UPGRADE = $59 US
   • Windows 98 SEU CD-ROM UPDATES = $19.95 US [ONLY until 12-31-1999, USA + Canada ONLY]

2. Windows 98 SE final OEM/VAR FULL release only (retail version modified), version 4.10.2222 A [date-time: 4-23-1999, 22:22:00 + KERNEL32.DLL build 4.10.2222] + MS-DOS 7.10 [4.10.2222], available ONLY bundled with a new PC.
   Released: 6-25-1999.
   MSRP: $109 US

• Windows 98 SE(U) features:
  1. Internet Explorer v5.0 with better security and lots of fixes.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released Internet Explorer v6.0 SP1.
  2. Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) allows multiple users to share a single Internet connection for simultaneous access.
  3. Windows Media Player v6.1 (WMP61) includes streaming and plays new formats like MP3.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released Windows Media Player v9.0 (WMP9).
  4. Enhanced IEEE 1394 support.
  5. Enhanced ACPI and APM support.
  6. Improved USB support.
  7. WDM modem support for USB modems.
  8. DirectX v6.1 improved APIs for multimedia apps/games.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released DirectX v9.0c APIs.
  9. Support for Pentium III CPUs and new motherboards/chipsets.
  10. Device Bay support.
  11. Windows 98 SE(U) adds new fixes + updates.

A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 98 SECOND EDITION (SE) ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

Windows 98 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Component Upgrade ONLY, version 4.10.2000 [date-time: 5-26-1999, 08:00:00], available for free download and on CD-ROM.
Released: 6-25-1999.
MSRP:

• Windows 98 SP1 download UPGRADE = free
• Windows 98 SP1 CD-ROM UPGRADE = shipping fee [USA + Canada ONLY]

• Windows 98 SP1 free downloadable components:
  1. Windows 98 System Update.
  2. Windows 98 Year 2000 Update #1.
  3. Windows 98 Year 2000 Update #2.
  4. Internet Explorer v4.01 Service Pack 2 (SP2).
     UPDATED: Microsoft released Internet Explorer v6.0 SP1 + Outlook Express v6.0 SP1.

A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS 98 SERVICE PACK 1 (SP1) ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".

The last [and the least! :)] in the Windows 9x series... Windows Millennium Edition (ME) was "unleashed", ONLY on CD-ROM, in 2 different retail/final/gamma/Gold/RTM versions:

1. Windows ME final retail, version 4.90.3000 [date-time: 6-8-2000, 17:00:00 + KERNEL32.DLL build 4.90.3000] + MS-DOS 8.00 [4.90.3000].
   Released: 9-25-2000.
   More info.
   MSRP:
   • Windows ME CD-ROM FULL release = $209 US
   • Windows ME CD-ROM UPGRADE = $109 US
   • Windows ME CD-ROM STEP-UP for Windows 98/98 SE(U) = $59 US [ONLY until 12-31-2000, USA + Canada ONLY]

2. Windows ME final OEM/VAR FULL release only (retail version modified), version 4.90.3000 [date-time: 6-8-2000, 17:00:00 + KERNEL32.DLL build 4.90.3000] + MS-DOS 8.00 [4.90.3000], available ONLY bundled with a new PC.
   Released: 9-25-2000.
   MSRP: $109 US

• Windows ME features:
  1. Movie Maker v1.0 creates/edits/previews digital media content.
  2. Windows Media Player v7.0 (WMP7) plays various audio/video digital media formats.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released Windows Media Player v9.0 (WMP9).
  3. DirectX v7.0b improved APIs for multimedia apps/games.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released DirectX v9.0c APIs.
  4. Internet Explorer v5.5 + Outlook Express v5.5 with better security and lots of fixes.
     UPDATED: Microsoft released Internet Explorer v6.0 SP1 + Outlook Express v6.0 SP1.
  5. System Restore + PC Health backup/monitor/restore tools.
  6. Improved Internet TCP/IP + Networking performance/reliability/security.
  7. Fast Boot v2.0 proposed standard on newly supported hardware.
  8. Removed completely native/real/true/pure MS-DOS mode → get Unofficial DOS Patch and boot system files transfer to bootup floppy capability → get Boot Disk Maker [603 KB, freeware]. :(

A MUST: Get ALL "WINDOWS MILLENNIUM EDITION (ME) ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES".