Definitions for "Protected mode"
An operating mode for the Intel 80x86 and higher processors that supports multitasking, data security and virtual memory.
See User Mode.
Starting with Intel's 80286, the processor could work in a mode or operating state that prevents a program that is running from accessing memory that is being used by another running program. This allows support for virtual memory and multitasking (running more than one program at a time). Protected Mode programs can access addresses above 1024K and can use a 32-bit data path. Real Mode is the precursor to this in which each program needs all the memory to run and will not allow the execution of another application at the same time.