32-bit Disk Access Article Index for
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32-bit Disk Access





Windows 3.1

Windows 3.1 had an option in its ''386 Enhanced'' control panel that would enable 32-bit read & write access in 386 enhanced mode. Usually, 32-bit read could be safely enabled, but 32-bit write had issues with a number of applications. 32-bit Disk Access was the feature that made it possible to page MS-DOS applications to disk. Without it, if the Int 13h handler was paged out, the virtual machine would loop forever.


Windows 9x

Windows 95 , Windows 98 , and Windows Me use Protected Mode disk drivers that are 32-bit in nature.

Safe Mode uses Real Mode disk drivers that disable native OS 32-bit disk access.


Other Operating Systems

Windows NT , and therefore Windows 2000 , Windows XP and later always have 32-bit disk drivers active.

''See also:'' 32-bit File Access


References