The WinNet16 interface is the earlier set of network-independent APIs introduced with Windows 3.0 and enhanced in Windows 3.1. WinNet16 provides simple functionality such as connecting to a drive letter or redirecting a printer port to a network printer. Windows 95 provides support for using a single WinNet16 driver.
If a network vendor provides a WinNet16 network driver developed for Windows 3.1 and has not written a 32-bit network provider and file system driver for Windows 95, using the WinNet16 interface and WINNET16.DLL is the only way to support that network in Windows 95. The WinNet16 driver that currently works with Windows 3.1 can be used without modification under Windows 95, using the WINNET16.DLL.
If Windows 95 Setup detects a Windows 3.x installation that uses a WinNet16 network driver and there is no 32-bit network provider available, Windows 95 Setup keeps the 16-bit network driver in place and provides network functionality with the 16-bit network driver installed as the primary network.