@kirby
AFAIR, Windows 98 doesn't support mass storage class at all, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_98#Windows_98_Second_Edition
"However, Microsoft driver support for both USB printers and USB mass-storage device class is not available for Windows 98" 🤷
@kirby
I do remember that you still could install something for it to work, there are links to some generic drivers here: https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/questions/7995/how-to-use-usb-flash-drives-with-windows-98-se
But you still have to transfer them to the machine somehow. And it still doesn't work as good as it does in later Windows releases, e.g. there is no tray icon to unmount and remove the USB drive.
@kirby
Yeah, makes sense. Windows 98 is dated in more ways than you usually expect 😆