Hardware requirements can be bypassed in the setup with the undocumented /nm setup switch. The last version of Microsoft Office capable of running on Windows 98 is Office XP. Other available upgradeable components include DirectX 9.0c, Windows Installer 2.0, GDI+ redistributable, Remote Desktop Connection (XP 5.1), and Text Services Framework. The last version of Internet Explorer that can be installed on 98 SE is 6.0. The Visual C++ 2005 runtime is the last to carry Windows 98 support. Windows 98 Second Edition can be updated with the Microsoft. Windows Media Player 6.2 was also shipped replacing the old classic Windows 3.x/95 'Media Player' that originated with the Windows 3.0 MMC Extensions. DirectX 6.1 was also included with DirectSound improvements.

Internet Explorer 4.0 was also upgraded to 5.0 and Internet Connection Sharing made its debut. Windows 98 Second Edition is an update to the original Windows 98 that includes improved modem and sound/audio card support through the Windows Driver Model, improved USB support, Wake on LAN support, FireWire DV camcorder support, and SBP-2 Mass Storage device support.

Directx 9.0 c runtime