Editing Windows 95 (section)

===32-bit===
Windows 95 followed [[Windows for Workgroups]] 3.11 with its lack of support for older, 16-bit [[x86]] processors, thus requiring an [[Intel 80386]] (or compatible). While the OS kernel is 32-bit, much code (especially for the user interface) remained 16-bit for performance reasons as well as development time constraints.

The introduction of [[32-bit file access]] in Windows for Workgroups 3.11 meant that 16-bit real mode MS-DOS is not used for managing the files while Windows is running, and the earlier introduction of the [[32-bit disk access]] means that the PC [[BIOS]] is often no longer used for managing hard disks. DOS can be used for running old-style [[device driver|drivers]] for compatibility, but Microsoft discourages using them, as this prevents proper multitasking and impairs system stability. [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]] allows a user to see which MS-DOS components are used by the system; optimal performance is achieved when they are bypassed. The Windows [[kernel (operating system)|kernel]] uses MS-DOS style real-mode drivers in ''[[Safe Mode]]'', which exists to allow a user to fix problems relating to loading native, protected-mode drivers.