Editing VxD (section)

== Obsolescence ==
Although Windows 98 introduced the [[Windows Driver Model]] (WDM), VxD device drivers can be used under Windows 98 and Windows Me. Using VxD drivers instead of WDM drivers in Windows 9x may result in advanced [[Advanced Configuration and Power Interface|ACPI]] states like [[Hibernation (computing)|hibernation]] being unavailable.

VxDs are not usable in [[Windows NT]] or its descendants. Windows NT-based operating systems from [[Windows NT 3.1|3.1]] to [[Windows NT 4.0|4.0]] must use drivers written specifically for them. These drivers are otherwise known as the [[Windows NT#Major features|Windows NT Driver Model]]. Starting with [[Windows 2000]], Windows NT-based operating systems have adopted the Windows Driver Model from Windows 98.

VxDs should not be confused with the similarly named [[NTVDM]]-specific 'VDDs' (Virtual Device Drivers), which provide a method of emulating direct I/O under a Windows NT "[[cmd.exe|DOS Box]]".  NTVDM VDDs run as regular, [[32-bit]], [[user-mode]] [[dynamic-link library|DLLs]], and must rely on the [[Win32 API]] (or another WDM driver) to emulate the desired I/O on behalf of the [[16-bit]] program.