Windows 98 is described as 'The best MS-DOS Windows Operating System released by Microsoft. Nowadays many players of abandonware still miss this rather stable and innovative OS' and is a operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Windows 98 for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Windows, Self-Hosted and Mac apps. The best Windows 98 alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows 98 are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux.
Linux distribution focused on desktop use, with unique menus, media codecs, browser plugins, and DVD support pre-installed; offers easy package management, compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, and a Debian-based alternative for consistency and reliability.
Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Windows 98.
Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows 98.
Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.
The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.
Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Windows 98.
Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.
openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.
A Unix-based OS for Mac with seamlessly integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering an intuitive UI, productivity tools like Finder, Spotlight, and Automator, built-in apps like Safari and Photos, Continuity for cross-device functionality, and security features including FileVault and Gatekeeper.
macOS is the most popular Mac alternative to Windows 98.
Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.
FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...
Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.
Windows 10 is the most popular commercial alternative to Windows 98.
ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).
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As ReactOS is still in alpha stage and not suitable for everyday use, it is not very good alternative. But if you have some legacy (maybe customized or abandoned) software / game that require Windows 98, you should try React OS - it may work well and you will run your software in modern, supported OS.