What is VFAT

VFAT is an important part of operating system after Windows 95/98, mainly used for
dealing with long file name which can not be disposed by FAT system. File Allocation
Table is a table of the saved file marked in the storage location on disk. The filename in
the original DOS operating system must be less than 8 characters, and it is a limitation for
users. The function of VFAT is similar to a driver. It runs under protected mode and uses
VCACHE to cache.
--Source from http://www.powerdatarecovery.com/data-recovery/vfat.html

One of user experience target of designer of Windows 95 is to use long file name in the
new operating system aside from the traditional 8.3 file name. LFN is achieved in a work
area by ranking directory entry (see instruction below). According to naming rule of
Windows 95VxD device driver, the new expanded file system is called VFAT.
Interestingly, VFAT drive is used in Windows for Groups 3.11, earlier than Windows 95.But
it is used in the 32 bit file access, which is a file management system with its own
high-performance protected mode bypassing DOS. BIOS or better 32 bit disk access can
be used directly, such as windows with its own protected mode disk drive. It is a back door.
Microsoft advertised that the 32 bit file access was based on "Project of Chicago 32 bit
file access". In Windows NT, the support of FAT file system to LFN started from 3.5
edition.

Third-party support
Other IBM PC Optional operating systems such as Linux, FreeBSD and BEOS are in
support of FAT form, and most of them also quickly support VFAT and FAT32 form after

release of corresponding Windows version. The early edition of Linux includes UMSDOS
form which is stored as an independent FAT called Linux with Unix file attributes(such as
long file name and access permission).UMSDOS was stopped after the release of
VFAT, and the function was forbidden since the use of core 2.5.7. Besides startup disk, the
other volumes are also in support of FAT file system.