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A hard drive is a computer hardware device used to store digital data, including the operating system, applications, and user files like documents, photos, and videos. It is a non-volatile storage medium, meaning it retains data even when the power is off. Modern hard drives can be traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which use spinning magnetic platters, or faster solid-state drives (SSDs), which use flash memory.

Types and function

Hard Disk Drive (HDD): The traditional type of hard drive that uses spinning magnetic disks (platters) and a read/write head that moves across the platters to access data.

Solid-State Drive (SSD): A newer, non-mechanical type of drive that uses flash memory to store data, making it faster and more reliable than traditional HDDs.

Internal vs. External: Hard drives can be internal, installed inside a computer's case, or external, which can be connected as needed to expand storage.