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Storage capacity is the maximum amount of data a computer system can hold, measured in units like gigabytes (GB) and terabytes (TB). It refers to the total storage space available on a device, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD), and determines how many files, applications, and other data can be stored.

What it is: The total digital space available on a storage device to hold information.

How it's measured: Commonly measured in gigabytes (GB) and terabytes (TB). Historical units like megabytes (MB) are still used for smaller capacities, and even larger units like petabytes (PB) exist for massive storage networks.

Total vs. free space: It's important to distinguish storage capacity from free space. A computer might have a 500GB capacity, but this doesn't mean all 500GB is free. Free space is the amount of capacity that is not currently being used.

Examples: A computer with a 500GB hard drive has a storage capacity of 500 gigabytes. A server with four 1TB drives has a storage capacity of 4 terabytes.

Why it matters: Understanding storage capacity is crucial for managing your device, as it affects how many files you can save and how smoothly your system runs. If you run out of space, you will need to delete files or expand your storage with an external drive or cloud service.