Microsoft 32-bit file access
32-bit file access refers to the higher performance, protected mode disk caching method introduced in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, which replaced SmartDrive. It bypassed MS-DOS and directly accessed the disk, either via the BIOS or 32-bit disk access. This feature was a backport from the then-unreleased Windows 95, as suggested by Microsoft's advertisements for Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
It was implemented using the VFAT, VCACHE, and IFSMgr VxD drivers.
Also, it should not be confused with 32-bit disk access. Although both technologies are similar, 32-bit disk access 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. 32-bit disk access offers relatively less performance and is less likely to work on many computers than 32-bit file access. 32-bit file access does not need 32-bit disk access.