Vanilla Windows 98 Web Browsing Summary

[Wunderbar98]

=== Vanilla Windows 98 Web Browsing Summary ===

== Web Browsers ==

Windows 98 had many cool web browsers though most are now non-functional due to lack of support for HTTPS website connectivity. Fortunately several browsers have been updated with TLS 1.2 support (Transport Layer Security) allowing them to connect to almost all HTTPS sites - for now :)

Note these old browsers do not display most web pages as intended, use work arounds outlined in the threads, and will not process JavaScript correctly even causing crashes, recommend disabling JavaScript. The list is sorted alphabetically, they are all quite functional.

Arachne for DOS with TLS 1.3 hack
Modify Arachne for TLS support as a tinker project, not for serious browsing.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/182432-arachne-web-browser-community-edition-for-dos-with-tls-13-hack/

K-Meleon
Forum member @roytam1's K-Meleon v1.5.4 fork. A nice, lean and configurable browser. Note not tested on a virgin vanilla Windows 98 install, should be okay though.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/181726-k-meleon-tls-12-in-vanilla-windows-98-se

Links for DOS
A very functional graphic or text only web browser for DOS, configure as desired. Has been receiving periodic updates. Recently logged in to an HTML only Gmail account and successfully sent an email attachment - long live DOS.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/181853-links-web-browser-community-edition-for-dos-with-tls-12

Lynx for DOS
A text only browser with a long history, since 1994, ported to DOS.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/182400-lynx-web-browser-community-edition-for-dos-with-tls-12/

Netscape Navigator
Netscape Navigator v9.0.0.6, based on Firefox 2.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/177106-running-vanilla-windows-98-in-2020/page/33/?tab=comments#comment-1189098

RetroZilla based on Firefox
Forum member @roytam1's RetroZilla browser based on Firefox 2, labelled 'Firefox Community Edition'. Note not tested on a virgin vanilla Windows 98 install, should be okay though.
https://o.rthost.win/gpc/files1.rt/rzbrowser-tls12-20180504.7z

RetroZilla based on SeaMonkey
The 'RetroZilla Community Edition' member project, which includes both @rn10950's and @roytam1's RetroZilla build information, based on old SeaMonkey v1.1.19.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/181416-retrozilla-community-edition

== Bonus ==

Custom userContent.css
A custom userContent.css to improve web page rendering in older browsers (K-Meleon, Netscape Navigator, RetroZilla), especially this forum.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/177106-running-vanilla-windows-98-in-2020-and-beyond/page/52/?tab=comments#comment-1206351

Invidious
An easy way to get YT access on retro systems, no JavaScript needed (tested 28Nov2021).
https://api.invidious.io/

Quick and Dirty YouTube
Small script to download most YouTube videos, note YouTube throttles download speed.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/177106-running-vanilla-windows-98-in-2020-and-beyond/page/41/?tab=comments#comment-1199455

Quick and Dirty MSN Video
Small script to download most MSN Videos.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/177106-running-vanilla-windows-98-in-2020-and-beyond/page/41/?tab=comments#comment-1199501

Windows 9x Web Helper (9xweb) - DISCONTINUED uses Cygwin helper software, still works well for personal projects.
A Bash script that runs from a COMMAND.COM window. Designed to improve internet accessibility, such as easy cache page access, custom Wayback Machine date search for old URLs, search and fetch YouTube video, etc.
https://msfn.org/board/topic/181417-windows-9x-web-helper-9xweb
Edited November 28, 2021 by Wunderbar98

[Wunderbar98]

Please post news and queries on the applicable web browser thread if possible. Feel free to report additional browsers found, with minimum TLS 1.2. Anyone who develops, compiles or reports a TLS 1.3 browser for DOS or Windows 9x will immediately go to the head of the class with much rejoicing. Thanks.

[sabre_chen]

The latest build of Retrozilla from @roytam1 is http://o.rthost.win/gpc/files1.rt/rzbrowser-tls12-20200127.7z.

[Wunderbar98]

Added Invidious to 'Bonus' section of first post.