32-bit file access refers to the higher performance, protected mode disk caching method introduced in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, which replaced SmartDrive (Smartdrv).
[citation needed] However, it was still possible to boot Windows 95 into a pure real-mode DOS system mode.
It was implemented using the VFAT, VCACHE, and IFSMgr VxD drivers.
Although both technologies are similar, 32-bit disk access (also known as FastDisk) pre-dates Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
32-bit file access provided a 32-bit code path for Windows to directly access the disk bus by intercepting the MS-DOS Int 21H services while remaining in 386 protected mode, rather than handling the Int 21H services in real mode by MS-DOS.