What you need to build a Windows 98 ISO

You need three things: a Windows 98 installation disc (or a disc image file you already own), software that can read or create ISO files, and VirtualBox installed on your computer. If you have a physical Windows 98 disc, you can convert it to an ISO using free tools. If you already have an ISO file, you can skip directly to creating the virtual machine in VirtualBox.

The legal requirement matters here: you must own a legitimate copy of Windows 98 to create and use an ISO. If you have an old disc in a drawer, you can work with it. If you do not own a copy, you cannot legally create one from an online source, even though Windows 98 is no longer sold or supported.

Key Takeaways

  • If you have a physical Windows 98 disc, you can convert it to an ISO using free software like ImgBurn (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).
  • If you already have an ISO file, you can skip the conversion step and go directly to creating a virtual machine in VirtualBox.
  • VirtualBox needs specific settings for Windows 98: choose "Windows 98" as the operating system type, allocate at least 512 MB of RAM, and create a virtual hard drive of 2 to 4 GB.
  • Windows 98 requires additional drivers and patches after installation to work smoothly in a virtual environment, which you will need to read separately.

Converting a physical Windows 98 disc to an ISO file

If you have the original disc, the easiest path on Windows is ImgBurn, which is free and handles disc-to-ISO conversion in a few clicks. Insert your Windows 98 disc, open ImgBurn, select "Read" from the menu, choose your disc drive, pick a location to save the ISO file, and start the process. The software will read the entire disc and create a single ISO file that contains everything.

On a Mac, use the built-in Disk Utility process. Insert the disc, open Disk Utility (in Applications > Utilities), select the disc in the left sidebar, click "File" at the top, choose "Save As", name your ISO file, and select "DVD/CD Master" as the format. This creates an ISO that VirtualBox can read.

The conversion takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your disc drive speed. Once the ISO file is created, you can eject the physical disc and store it safely — you will not need it again for virtualization.

Setting up the virtual machine in VirtualBox

Open VirtualBox and click "New" to create a virtual machine. Name it something like "Windows 98" so you can find it later. In the "Machine Folder" field, choose where to store the virtual machine files. Under "Type", select "Microsoft Windows", and under "Version", select "Windows 98" from the dropdown menu.

Allocate RAM in the next step — Windows 98 runs on as little as 256 MB, but 512 MB to 1 GB gives you more breathing room and faster performance. Create a virtual hard drive when prompted; choose "VDI" (VirtualBox Disk Image) as the format, and set the size to 2 to 4 GB. Windows 98 itself takes about 500 MB, leaving room for software and files.

After the machine is created, right-click it in the VirtualBox list and select "Settings". Go to "Storage", click the empty CD icon, and select "Choose a disk file". Navigate to your Windows 98 ISO file and open it. This tells VirtualBox to use your ISO as the installation disc when you start the machine.

Installing Windows 98 inside the virtual machine

Start the virtual machine by double-clicking it in the VirtualBox list. The machine will boot from your ISO file and show the Windows 98 installation screen. Follow the on-screen prompts: accept the license agreement, choose the virtual hard drive as your installation destination, and select a typical installation (not custom, unless you have a specific reason).

The installation takes 20 to 40 minutes. The machine will restart several times — this is normal. Do not turn it off or interrupt the process. When installation finishes, Windows 98 will boot into the desktop for the first time.

After installation completes, eject the ISO from the virtual drive. In VirtualBox, go to Settings > Storage, click the ISO file in the list, and click the eject icon (the small disc icon with an arrow). This prevents the installer from running again on the next boot.

Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions and drivers

Windows 98 in a virtual machine runs slowly and with poor graphics until you install VirtualBox Guest Additions, which are drivers that let the virtual machine use your computer's hardware more efficiently. In VirtualBox, go to the "Devices" menu at the top and select "Insert Guest Additions CD Image". Windows 98 will detect a new CD and ask what to do with it.

Click "Run" when prompted, or navigate to the CD drive in Windows Explorer and double-click the setup file. Follow the installation wizard, restart the machine when it finishes, and Windows 98 will run noticeably faster with better graphics and mouse responsiveness.

You may also need to read and install chipset drivers from the VirtualBox website or from the motherboard manufacturer's support page. These are optional but recommended for stability. Search for "VirtualBox Windows 98 drivers" to find the specific files your version needs.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the ISO file does not boot, check that you selected it correctly in the Storage settings. The ISO must be attached to the IDE controller, not the SATA controller — VirtualBox defaults to SATA for new machines, but Windows 98 does not support SATA. In Settings > Storage, right-click the IDE controller and make sure your ISO is attached there.

If Windows 98 hangs during installation or boots very slowly, reduce the number of virtual CPUs. Go to Settings > System > Processor and set it to 1 CPU instead of the default. Windows 98 was designed for single-core processors and sometimes struggles with multiple cores in a virtual environment.

If you see a blue screen error after installation, the virtual hard drive may be corrupted. Delete the virtual machine (keeping the ISO file), create a new one with the same settings, and try the installation again. This is rare but can happen if the installation is interrupted.

What to do after installation is complete

Once Windows 98 is running smoothly, you can install software, configure network settings, or use it for testing and learning. Keep in mind that Windows 98 has no built-in security updates and should never be connected to the internet for real work — it is useful only for running old software or understanding how older systems worked.

Save a snapshot of your virtual machine before installing software. In VirtualBox, right-click the machine and select "Snapshots", then click "Take Snapshot". This creates a restore point; if something breaks, you can revert to the snapshot instead of reinstalling everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a Windows 98 ISO instead of converting a disc I own?

No — Windows 98 is still under copyright, and downloading an ISO you do not own is illegal, even though the system is no longer sold or supported. You must own a legitimate copy of the installation disc or media to create an ISO file legally.

Do I need to set up Windows 98 in the virtual machine?

No. Windows 98 does not require set up or a product key to install and run. It will ask for a product key during setup, but you can skip that step or enter any valid-looking key — the system will not validate it.

Can I use the same ISO file for multiple virtual machines?

Yes. One ISO file can be attached to multiple virtual machines. Each machine will have its own separate virtual hard drive and installation, so they will not interfere with each other.

What if my computer does not have a disc drive to read the Windows 98 disc?

You can use an external USB disc drive, which works the same way as an internal drive. Plug it in, insert the disc, and follow the ImgBurn or Disk Utility steps above. If you do not have access to any disc drive, you cannot create an ISO from a physical disc.

Is it safe to run Windows 98 in VirtualBox?

Yes, as long as you do not connect it to the internet. Windows 98 has no security patches and is vulnerable to every known attack. Keep it isolated in the virtual machine, and it cannot harm your main computer or your network.