Microsoft 32-bit file access

32-bit File Access was a higher performance, protected mode file management introduced in Windows for Workgroups 3.11.

32-bit File Access bypassed MS-DOS and used directly either the BIOS, or, better, 32-bit Disk Access, i.e. Windows-native protected mode disk drivers. It was a backport from the then unreleased Windows 95. Microsoft's ads for WfW 3.11 said 32-bit File Access was based on "the 32-bit file system from our Chicago project".

32-bit File Access and the introduction of Long File Names in Windows 95 reduced DOS to the role of a boot loader for Windows.

32-bit File Access was implemented the VFAT, VCACHE and IFSMgr VxD drivers.