How to Format a drive in Windows 7-10
Background and Identification
Storage devices include internal hard drives as well as external storage devices. External storage devices solve computer problems related to having limited disk space. External storage devices can be used for device back-up, file storage, photo storage, application storage, and even operating system storage.
Hard drives (both internal and external) are a common type of storage device. They are either HDDs or SSDs. HDDs (hard disk drives) store data using magnetic storage technology. HDDs were first created by IBM in 1956 and are still a prominent data storage method today. However, the rise of SSDs (solid-state drives) in the late 2000s caused HDDs to fall in popularity. SSDs provide faster data transfer, higher storage density, and improved reliability. SSDs achieve these improvements by using flash-memory chips instead of the traditional spinning disk found in HDDs.
Other common types of storage devices include DVDs/CDs, USB flash drives, and SD cards. External storage devices can help make your computer last a little longer. Instead of upgrading to a newer model when your disk runs out of space, you can store your files and photos externally to free up space on your device. Additionally, you can opt to run applications or even operating systems off of external storage devices.
Storage devices come in a range of sizes, but they are commonly rectangular in shape. External storage devices include ports to connect with other devices. Storage devices are commonly black or silver in color.