[upd]: Windows 3.11

Windows 3.11 was the first Microsoft operating system to treat networking as a fundamental requirement rather than an afterthought.

: It introduced 32-bit network redirectors and allowed for file and printer sharing without needing expensive third-party software like Novell NetWare. windows 3.11

However, as hard drive capacities grew and network computing became standard in business environments, the underlying DOS architecture began to show its age. Windows 3.11 was released not merely as a bug fix, but as a strategic pivot toward 32-bit architecture, preparing the software ecosystem for the consumer release of Windows 95. Windows 3

However, Windows 3.11 used the to take control of the system. Once the Windows kernel ( KRNL386.EXE ) loaded, it transitioned the CPU into 386 Enhanced Mode. In this mode, it utilized virtual memory (swapping memory to disk) and virtual device drivers (VxDs). In this mode, it utilized virtual memory (swapping