Windows 98 SE enthusiasts can now rejoice as they gain experimental support for USB4 and Thunderbolt 3/4, thanks to the innovative efforts of developer Yeo Kheng Meng. A passionate retrocomputing aficionado, Meng has unveiled the vibe-coded xHCI98 v3.0.0.0, a driver that enables the practical use of generic USB 3.x, USB4, and Thunderbolt 3/4 host controllers across a range of legacy operating systems, including Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7.
Driver Features and Compatibility
In an extensive blog post, Meng elaborates on the driver’s capabilities, compatibility, and the creative process behind its development. The xHCI98 driver not only facilitates the connection of USB storage devices but also replaces Windows’ native USB port and hub drivers, allowing for the use of USB 1.1, 2.0, and SuperSpeed (USB 3.x) devices. It also supports UAS (USB Attached SCSI) storage through an additional driver (xhciuas.sys) and Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 docks and NVMe enclosures via another driver (xhcicm.sys).
For those interested in seeing the driver in action, a demo video showcases various USB devices being hotplugged to a modern 2020 ThinkPad P14s Gen 1 equipped solely with the xHCI controller. This demonstration highlights the practical applications of the driver, which addresses significant limitations faced by users of older systems. “Without xHCI support, even keyboards, mice, and flash drives need the BIOS’s legacy support, cannot be hotplugged, and devices such as Ethernet and audio do not work at all,” Meng explains, emphasizing the gap his project fills.
Development Insights
As a solo developer, Meng candidly acknowledges the role of AI in the creation of xHCI98. He utilized Claude Fable 5.1 for planning, Claude Opus 5.5 for coding, and Codex GPT 6 Astra as an adversarial reviewer. While he primarily tested the driver on Intel hardware, he encourages users to be aware of potential bugs, given the project’s solo nature and the complexities of retrofitting modern technology onto older systems.
Meng also provides valuable guidance for users, detailing a process for checking hardware compatibility, outlining various installation methods, and discussing updates and tuning options for those ready to dive into this ambitious project. His commitment to enhancing the retrocomputing experience is evident, as he continues to bridge the gap between vintage operating systems and contemporary technology.
