Bowing to pressure from OEMs, Microsoft will release a new interim build of
Windows 95 dubbed "OSR 2.5" that PC makers can ship with new machines. The
OSR 2.5 release of Windows 95 will include Internet Explorer 4.0 and new
clients for the Microsoft Network, America Online, AT&T and CompuServe. It
will ship sometime in early 1998, months before Windows 98 is ready. The
company says that OEMs are asking for a new version of Windows 95 that
includes IE 4.0.
"The OEMs like this because it makes it easier for them to provide their
customers with IE," product manager Phil Holden said. "We are working with
them to provide the installation tools so that they can pre-install it for
their customers. For our customers, it enables them to experience the
benefits of IE without having to install it for themselves."
Windows 95 OSR 2.5 will be based on the OSR 2.1 code-base. OSR 2.1 included
new drivers and bug fixes. It was released in 1996