InfraRed support was added to Windows 95 via a patch and then later included in OSR2. In Windows 98 the Control Panel actually remains the same as supplied by the patch. There are four tabs. The first, Status, simply shows what devices are in range. When a device comes into range it will be added in automatically with an audible warnign that a device has been detected. Similarly when a device moves out of range or connection with it is blocked, a different warning will sound.

The Options tab has a set of tick boxes and menus to define which COM port number should be used, whether it should be looking for InfraRed devices in range and whether it should install software for any Plug and Play InfraRed devices it does detect. You can also limit the connection speed in case you have problems.

The preferences tab allows you to display an icon for the Control Panel in the taskbar, to make the Infrared Monitor open automatically if transfer with a device is interrupted and lastly you can enable/disable the audible warnings for new devices detected, and for interrupted transfer.

However, while the Control Panel has remained the same, the support for InfraRed devices has been integrated fully into the system, rather than simply tacked on. This means you have better access to IR devices via My Computer, rather than having to use Direct Cable Connection. See also Direct Cable Connection