Hard disk

A hard disk or hard drive is one component of a modern computer. It is the physical device that holds data on a permanent basis, also known as "secondary storage."

A hard disk should not be confused with a 3.5" floppy disk - although "hard disk" sounds like a description of the plastic-covered disk, "floppy disk" is a more accurate description.

Examples in conversation

1. When a user "saves a document to the desktop" they have open, typically they are saving their work to a hard disk.

1. When you first start your computer, the operating system that starts after a few seconds boots from the hard drive.