32-Bit File Access Maximum Cache Size

Last reviewed: November 9, 1995
Article ID: Q108079

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11
Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

When you use Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 with 32-bit file access, the maximum amount of memory that can be set in the 386 Enhanced dialog box in Control Panel is 24 megabytes (MB)(or 24,576 kilobytes [K]).

Microsoft Windows 95 does not provide a user interface to change the 32-bit file access cache size.

MORE INFORMATION

Although the user interface is limited to 24 MB, the theoretical maximum size of the cache is actually 2GB. This cache size is using physical RAM; therefore, the cache size is limited to the amount of RAM on your computer. Setting the cache size greater than the physical amount of RAM available results in the following error message when re-entering the Virtual Memory settings in the 386 Enhanced dialog box:

   32-bit file access was unable to run. Your hard disk(s) may not
   be compatible with 32-bit file access.

Steps to Manually Increase or Decrease the Cache Size for Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and Windows 95

Open the System.ini file in a text editor, such as Microsoft Windows Notepad.
Go to the [VCache] section.
Change the MinFileCache= and the MaxFileCache= settings to the desired value.
NOTE: The value for these settings are in kilobytes. For example, if you want to create a 50-MB cache that cannot exceed 55 MB, the lines would be as follows:
```
      [VCache]
      MinFileCache=51200
      MaxFileCache=56320
```

Please note that Microsoft's testing did not include cache sizes greater than 40MB. Microsoft makes no guarantees that the cache size will operate correctly when increased above the user interface. Microsoft is not responsible for data loss or data corruption due to a cache size larger than the user interface.

KBCategory: kbenv
KBSubcategory: wfw winmem wfwg win95
Additional reference words: 3.11 vfat vcache vcache.386 max limit amount

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Last reviewed: November 9, 1995
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