by Bob Voss
Windows applications fall into one of two general categories: 32-bit applications (designed for Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 98) and 16-bit applications (designed for Windows 3.x and lower versions). This chapter discusses how Windows 98 runs these programs. The last part of the chapter describes how to work with MS-DOS applications in Windows 98.
Many of the benefits of using Windows 98 result from its support of 32-bit applications. The following list outlines the benefits of Windows 98:
Windows 98 can run applications designed specifically for Windows 95 and Windows 98, as well as most older 16-bit Windows 3.x applications and MS-DOS-based applications. Windows 98 does not require the traditional CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and INI files for configuration information. However, for backward compatibility, Windows 98 can use settings from INI files and can maintain its own versions of CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT in order to support the loading of real-mode device drivers.
The "Designed for Windows 95" logo program has evolved into the "Designed for Windows NT and Windows 98" logo program. In the early days of the Windows logo program, the requirements were relatively permissive, but the program has continually been reevaluated and revised. Microsoft has added many new requirements to better serve users who are looking for software that is designed to take full advantage of the Windows 98 and Windows NT operating environments and that is fully compatible with other Windows applications. To acquire the logo, an application must be submitted for testing by an independent third-party testing firm (VeriTest).
The basic concept behind the logo program is that it provides users with a means for selecting software that has been tested for compatibility and functionality on both the Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0 platforms. The application must conform to a series of criteria to ensure that it takes full advantage of the Windows 98/Windows NT technology and that it is compatible with other Windows software. For in-depth information about and specifications for the logo program, and to download the "Designed for Windows Logo" handbook, visit the following web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/thirdparty/winlogo/
CAUTION: Beware of software that claims to be "Windows-compatible" and that displays a logo to this effect. Be sure your applications have the genuine "Designed for Windows NT and Windows 98" logo.
Most Windows 98 (and Windows 95) applications can be installed easily using the setup programs that come with them. Installing MS-DOS-based applications is a different matter, however, and is often not as simple. That topic is covered in the later section "Working with MS-DOS Applications."
The basic technique for installing Windows 95 and Windows 98 applications consists of running the Setup (or Install) program for the application and following the prompts. The Setup program takes care of all the details of installing the application. You can start the Setup program by using the Run command on the Start menu.
Another way to install an application is to use the Install Programs Wizard, which is accessible via the Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel. The Add/Remove Programs dialog box provides a common starting point for adding and removing Windows applications and Windows system components and accessories.
To use the Install Programs Wizard to install a Windows application, follow these steps:
FIG. 10.1 Use the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box to add and remove applications.
Windows 98 features full backward compatibility with 16-bit Windows 3.x applications, enabling you to install and use them in Windows 98 without modification.
If you encounter a compatibility problem when trying to run a legacy application (an older application designed for a previous version of MS-DOS or Windows) in Windows 98, check with the application's developer for a patch or workaround for the problem. In some cases, the only solution is to upgrade to a newer Windows 95 or Windows 98 version of the application.
You install 16-bit Windows 3.x applications in Windows 98 the same way you install them in Windows 3.x. You simply insert the first disk of the program's installation disks in your floppy disk or CD-ROM drive, run the Setup program by using the Run command on the Start menu, and then follow the prompts and instructions.
CAUTION: Save a copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files before you install any new MS-DOS or Windows 3.x application. After you install a Windows 3.x or MS-DOS application, it is a good idea to check your AUTOEXEC.BAT files to see if any unnecessary programs or configuration lines were added. For example, some applications add a line that loads SHARE.EXE or SMARTDRV.EXE, neither of which is needed in Windows 98. Not only do these programs waste memory, but you might have problems with your system if they are loaded.
Of course, the setup program for a legacy application will be tailored to Windows 3.x instead of Windows 98. For example, the installation program will probably offer to create Program Manager groups and update INI files. Windows 98 intercepts Program Manager updates and automatically converts them to Start menu shortcuts. Windows 98 also transfers WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI entries into the Registry.
You might occasionally encounter a Windows application that does not include a setup program. Installation for small utilities, for example, usually consists of copying a couple of files to your hard drive and adding a shortcut to your Start menu to launch the application. You'll probably find instructions for installing such applications in an accompanying manual or README file.
When you install an application, the installation process creates a new item on the Programs menu. Although this item appears automatically, you can modify it. For example, items on the Programs menu can be removed, rearranged, or renamed. While you can modify the Programs menu using the same procedure you do to customize the Start menu (described in Chapter 17, "System Information Utility"), you will have greater flexibility if you use the technique described here to directly modify the folders and shortcuts on which the Programs menu is based.
The Programs menu reflects the contents of a Programs folder. You can find this folder under Windows\Start Menu if you are the only person using the computer or if everyone who uses your computer shares the same Start menu and program groups. If the computer has multiple user profiles and the individual users do not share the same Start menu and program groups, the appropriate Programs folder for a specific user is found under Windows\Profiles\ username\Start Menu.
A simple way to make sure you are modifying the correct Programs menu is to log in to Windows with the user name whose Programs menu you want to change. Right-click in the gray area of the taskbar and choose Properties. Select the Start Menu Programs tab, and then click the Advanced button. This displays an Explorer window that is restricted to the appropriate Start menu. You can modify and reorganize the Start menu or Programs menu items by modifying folders and shortcuts in this Explorer window.
To work on just the Programs menu, open and select the Programs folder in the left Explorer pane. The folder hierarchy and shortcut names you see displayed in the right pane are those that make up the Programs menu. Use normal Explorer techniques to modify the folders and files in the right pane, and your changes will then be reflected in the Programs menu.
You can create new submenus under the Programs menu by creating new folders in the right pane. Drag and drop program shortcuts into these folders to organize them. Delete folders you do not want, but make sure you first remove shortcut icons you want to retain.
Windows sorts the folder and shortcut names in alphanumeric order and displays them on the Programs menu accordingly. You can reorder files and folders by renaming them. To change the name of an item on the Programs menu, select the folder or file, press F2, and then edit the existing name or type a new one. To reorganize the Programs menu, change the names to achieve the sort order you want. For example, if you want Microsoft Word to appear in the menu before Microsoft Excel and you want their names shortened, change the shortcut names to 1 Word and 2 Excel. You can also start shortcut names with special characters such as !, _, and $, which are listed before shortcuts that start with a letter or a number.
If you have multiple users on the same Windows 98 computer, you can configure it so that each user has his or her own unique desktop. To see if all users on your computer share the same Start menu and program groups, you set up user profiles. Follow these steps:
FIG. 10.2 You configure Windows 98 for unique user desktops by setting up user profiles.
In Chapter 6, "Managing Files with My Computer and the Windows Explorer," you learned how to create shortcuts to your files and programs. In this section, you'll learn some more advanced techniques for working with shortcuts.
If you routinely keep certain programs open because you use them throughout the day, you can have Windows 98 start those programs automatically when you start Windows. To do this, you simply create a shortcut for the program in a special folder call the StartUp folder. The StartUp folder is located in the Programs folder on the Start menu.
To create a shortcut for a program in the StartUp folder, follow these steps:
FIG. 10.3 Use the Browse dialog box to locate the program that you want to add to the StartUp folder.
FIG. 10.4 Select the StartUp folder as the destination for the shortcut.
Now, whenever you start Windows, any application(s) you added to the StartUp menu will be started automatically.
Once you have created a shortcut for an application, you can customize the shortcut using its properties sheet. For example, if you create a shortcut for an application in the StartUp folder (as just described), you can specify whether the application is started in a normal window, in a maximized window, or minimized as an icon on the taskbar. You can also add command-line parameters to the command line for the application, specify a folder for the application to start in, and assign a shortcut key with which you can start the application from the keyboard.
To customize a shortcut, follow these steps:
FIG. 10.5 You can customize a shortcut using the Short-cut tab in the shortcut's properties sheet.
FIG. 10.6 You can add command-line parameters to the command line for an application's shortcut.
NOTE: Shortcut keys defined in a Windows application take precedence over shortcut keys defined for a shortcut. Be sure to use a unique keyboard shortcut.
Recall that in Windows 3.x you could associate a file extension with an application. For example, you could associate the DOC extension (which Microsoft Word adds to files) to Word so that when you chose a file with the DOC extension, the file would be opened in Word.
In Windows 98, you can define a file type, which is associated with a file extension, and then associate any number of actions with the file type. Again using Word as an example, you can define the Microsoft Word Document file type and then define one or more actions associated with that file type. The default action can be executed by choosing a file with a DOC extension in Windows Explorer or in a folder window or by right-clicking a DOC file and choosing the default action from the top of the shortcut menu that appears.
Other actions that you define and associate with a file type will also appear in the shortcut menu when you right-click a file of that type. When Microsoft Word for Windows is installed, for example, the Print command is automatically associated with the Word Document file type, so you can right-click a Word file and choose Print from the shortcut menu. The document will be opened in Word and printed, and then the document and Word will be closed.
All file types and their actions are registered in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key of the Windows Registry. If you are experienced at working in the Registry using REGEDIT, you can add and edit file types directly in the Registry.
CAUTION: Use extreme caution when directly modifying the Windows Registry. Make sure you carefully back up the Windows Registry before you begin and that you know what you are doing.
Many applications automatically register a file type when you install the application. In some cases, however, you might want to register a file type for an extension that is not already associated with an application.
To register a new file type, follow these steps:
FIG. 10.7 Register and modify file types on the File Types tab of the Options dialog box.
FIG. 10.8 Enter the information for a new file type in the Add New File Type dialog box.
NOTE: MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a standard for defining different types of file attachments for email delivered over the Internet. The goal of MIME is to allow multiple types of data, such as text, video and audio files, and application files, to be gathered into an email message and transferred successfully from sender to recipient, even if those two people are using different email applications.
You can specify the action that will occur when a file of a particular file type is chosen. The action you specify will also appear as an item on the file type's shortcut menu and on the File menu when that file is selected. This procedure begins with either the Add New File Type or Edit File Type dialog box open. To create actions for a new file type, follow the preceding procedure through step 7 and then continue with this procedure. To edit an existing file type, select the file type from the Registered file types list and click Edit.
To simultaneously specify actions for the file type and create shortcut menu items, follow this procedure:
NOTE: Some applications have command-line switches you can append to the end of the command line to control how the application behaves. See the documentation or online Help for your application to find out what command-line switches are available.
FIG. 10.9 Designate a shortcut menu action and the program used to perform that action in the New Action dialog box.
TIP: See the next section for more information on using DDE statements to communicate with an application.
Enable Quick View. Quick View allows you to view a file without opening it
Always Show Extension. Always displays the MS-DOS extension, even when the Hide File Extension option has been enabled. Confirm Open After Download. Instructs Windows to request confirmation before opening files after downloading them from the Internet.
If the application you use to create a file type and define an action uses DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange), you can use DDE statements to exercise more control over the actions that are carried out by the application. DDE statements are messages that are passed to the application to tell it what actions to carry out.
Figure 10.10 illustrates the use of DDE statements in the definition of the Print action for the Microsoft Excel Worksheet type. The first DDE statement (in the DDE Message text box) is the command passed to Microsoft Excel to specify what action the program should take when the Print command is selected from the shortcut menu for an Excel worksheet:
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[open("%1")][print()][close()]
This DDE statement tells Excel to open the selected file, print the file with the default print options, and close the worksheet.
FIG. 10.10 You can use DDE statements to control the actions associated with a registered file type.
The entry in the Application box is the string used to start a DDE exchange with the specified program. If this box is left empty, the command that appears in the Application used to perform action text box is used.
The following DDE statement appears in the DDE Application Not Running box:
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[open("%1")][print()][quit()]
This statement starts Excel, prints the selected file, and then exits Excel.
These two simple examples illustrate how useful the DDE statements can be. By specifying two different statements in the DDE Message and DDE Applications Not Running boxes, you can control how Excel will react when you select the Print command from the shortcut menu. If Excel is already open, the file you select is opened in that session of Excel (that is, another session of Excel is not started), the file is printed, and then the file is closed. The running session of Excel is not terminated. On the other hand, when Excel is not already open and you select the Print command, Excel is started, the selected file is opened and printed, and then Excel is shut down.
You can change the icon used to designate a file type, drive, folder, or other object on your computer. To change the icon used for a particular file type or object, follow these steps:
FIG. 10.11 Use the Change Icon dialog box to select a new icon for a file type or other type of object.
Although Windows 98 is designed to shield the user from the often-confusing world of the command line, AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, and memory-management practices, it offers surprisingly rich support for users who still desire or need to work in the MS-DOS environment. Windows 98 offers extensive control over MS-DOS application environments, allowing you to fine-tune your MS-DOS sessions to optimize performance.
Many MS-DOS applications will run under Windows 98 without any modifications. In some cases, you will need to modify the setup for the application for it to run in Windows. For applications that won't run at all under Windows 98, a special mode helps you run them quickly and easily from within Windows and then automatically returns you to your Windows session when you're finished.
Installing MS-DOS applications is a straightforward procedure. Simply locate and run the installation program for the application. The installation program creates a folder for the application and copies the files to it. In addition, it performs the additional operating system configuration chores that may be necessary for successful operation. You might have to handle some of the steps yourself. In the program folder, look for the documentation file that details the manual program installation process. Often this is a simple text file labeled README.TXT or INSTALL.TXT.
You can also run the installation program for an MS-DOS application from the MS-DOS prompt. Running the installation program from an MS-DOS prompt is just like doing so on a machine that's running only MS-DOS. Follow these steps to begin:
Some MS-DOS applications don't have installation programs at all. This is most common with shareware applications or small utility programs.
To install your application manually, follow these simple steps:
NOTE: If the files that you want to copy to the new folder include any subfolders, you must use the following command, or the subfolders will not be copied:xcopy a:\*.* c:\myprog /s
The /s option for the xcopy program causes subfolders to be copied.
You might need to alter the preceding routine slightly if your application comes as a compressed archive (such as a ZIP or an ARJ file). Usually all this means is an additional step for decompression after the files are copied.
Your MS-DOS applications are very likely to run fine without any reconfiguration. Preset configurations for the most popular MS-DOS applications are stored in Windows, and in many cases, these configurations will work perfectly. However, in those cases where your application doesn't run properly (or at all), you can modify many settings using the properties sheet to control how your MS-DOS application runs. To display the properties sheet, click the Properties button in the toolbar of the MS-DOS window. The next sections provide details on the tabs of this properties sheet.
General Properties
The General properties page is primarily informational, with minimal controls other than file attributes (see Figure 10.12).
FIG. 10.12 The General properties page gives you most of the basic information about the file and easy access to control of the file attributes. Context-sensitive help on any of the properties pages is available at any time by clicking the ? button.
The only real controls in the General properties page are the file attribute settings. These are used mainly to protect documents (by setting the read-only attribute), and you shouldn't alter them unless you have a specific reason.
Program Properties
The Program properties page gives you control over the basic environment your application starts with (see Figure 10.13).
FIG. 10.13 The Program properties page allows you to alter the variables used to name and start the application.
You can click the Advanced button on the Program properties page to open the Advanced Program Settings dialog box, shown in Figure 10.14.
FIG. 10.14 The Advanced Program Settings dialog box enables you to define the precise mode and environment for your MS-DOS session.
If you need to run your application in MS-DOS mode, you enable it here. You can even set up custom CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT values for your session. If you click Specify a new MS-DOS configuration, you can edit the special CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT values right in this dialog box.
If you click the Configuration button, you see the dialog box shown in Figure 10.15.
FIG. 10.15 The Select MS-DOS Configuration Options dialog box lets you control expanded memory, disk caching, disk access, and command-line editing.
You should not alter any of the settings in the Advanced dialog box unless your MS-DOS application simply won't run in a standard session with the default settings. For that matter, don't even enable MS-DOS mode unless your application demands it.
Font Properties
The Font an file attributes (see Figure 10.16). It works just like the Font list control on the MS-DOS session toolbar.
Memory Properties
The Memory properties page makes simple work of the traditional maze of MS-DOS memory management (see Figure 10.17). With a few mouse clicks, you can configure your application memory precisely as needed.
FIG. 10.16 The Font properties page lets you choose the font type and size, and it gives you both a window and font preview.
FIG. 10.17 The Memory properties page vastly simplifies the formerly arcane topic of memory management.
If your application works without your altering these values, do not change them. If your application doesn't work with the default settings, first consult the documentation for your application to determine what the appropriate settings are. Then you can alter the values in this dialog box. Proceeding in any other way--unless you have considerable experience with the techniques involved--can severely inhibit the performance of your system.
Screen Properties
The Screen properties page lets you control the appearance of the MS-DOS session (see Figure 10.18). You might find that certain MS-DOS programs (especially those running in Graphics mode) respond poorly to the video emulation used in the windowed mode. If so, try defeating the performance defaults by clearing the Fast ROM emulation and Dynamic memory allocation options. Fast ROM emulation tells the Windows 98 display driver to mimic the video hardware to help display MS-DOS programs faster. Dynamic memory allocation releases display memory to other programs when the MS-DOS session isn't using it. If you experience strange display problems with your MS-DOS programs, try changing these settings. You can also solve poor graphics performance by executing the poorly behaving MS-DOS application in full-screen mode.
FIG. 10.18 The Screen properties page gives you control of the size, type, and performance of the MS-DOS interface.
NOTE: When an MS-DOS application is open, you can rapidly toggle it between full-screen and window operation by pressing Alt+Enter.
Miscellaneous Properties
The Misc properties page covers the remaining configuration items that don't fit under the other categories (see Figure 10.19).
FIG. 10.19 The Misc properties page controls screen saver, mouse, background operation, program termination, shortcut key, and editing options. This properties page offers the following controls:
Although you will be able to run most MS-DOS applications without any difficulty from within Windows, you might run into problems with certain poorly designed MS-DOS applications that demand total control over system resources and that access hardware directly.
Windows 98 accommodates a poorly behaved application to the best of its ability via MS-DOS mode. This mode is the equivalent of the Real mode that is present in older versions of Windows, but it does offer some improvements.
MS-DOS mode works by giving the errant MS-DOS application the entire system for the duration of the session. Windows removes itself from memory, leaving only a small "stub" loader in preparation for when regaining control of your system.
Before you decide to enable MS-DOS mode for an application, try these other options:
If either of the preceding methods works, you will have a faster, more convenient alternative that allows you the full benefit of Windows' multitasking and other features--all of which disappear during an MS-DOS mode session.
Whenever possible, Windows 98 determines that an application needs to run in MS-DOS mode and closes down all other applications and switches to this mode automatically. Unless you specify otherwise, you'll be warned when Windows is about to switch to MS-DOS mode.
If you try to run an application that gives you an error message telling you that you can't run it in Windows, you should manually configure the application to run in MS-DOS mode. Follow these steps:
Click the shortcut icon to try running the application. If the application still doesn't run, follow these steps:
Try running the application again. If it still doesn't run, you have to modify the configuration for MS-DOS mode. To do so, follow these steps:
FIG. 10.20 Windows allows you to override the default settings for MS-DOS mode support. You can even run a different CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file for each application.
CAUTION: Use the Direct Disk Access option with great care. It is possible for an MS-DOS application to destroy long filename support when you select this option.
When you install a Windows application, not only does the installation program copy the application's files into its own folder, but in most cases it copies numerous other support files into the Windows folder and modifies the Windows Registry file. For this reason, uninstalling an application can be a complex procedure. Fortunately, many application setup programs now offer an uninstall option to automate the process in case you need to remove the application from your system. The Add/Remove Programs properties sheet has an uninstall feature that can help with this process.
To uninstall an application automatically, start by opening the Control Panel and choosing the Add/Remove Programs icon to open the Add/Remove Programs Properties sheet--the same sheet you used to install the application (see Figure 10.21). Only applications that provide uninstall programs specifically designed to work with Windows 98 appear in the list of applications that Windows 98 can remove automatically.
FIG. 10.21 From the Add/Remove Programs Properties sheet, you can remove applications as well as install them.
To remove an application, select it from the list of applications in the lower portion of the dialog box and choose Add/Remove. After you confirm that you want to remove the program, Windows runs the selected application's uninstall program.
If you decide to remove an MS-DOS application from your computer, follow these steps:
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