A removable disk is media that enables a user to move data between computers without having to open their computer. A removable disk is sometimes called a removable drive, removable storage, or removable media.
Examples of removable disks
- Card Reader (e.g., SD Card and Memory card reader.)
- Floppy diskettes
- CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc
- Tape drive cartridges
- USB thumb drives
Why can I not access my removable disk?
It is not uncommon to see multiple removable disks listed in on your computer. Today, these drives are usually in the form of a card reader. For example, the picture shows Removable Disk (F:), Removable Disk (G:), Removable Disk (H:), and Removable Disk (K:) are all slots in a card reader on the computer. For these to be accessible, you would need to put an SD Card in its slot.
Although hard drives that connect to a USB port allow you to move data between computers, they are more commonly called an external drive and not a removable disk.
Removable media used during boot
Removable media can also be used as a boot drive when the computer is not working, you need to troubleshoot, or you want to use a different operating system. However, having a removable disk or drive in the computer during boot is one method some viruses can infect the computer. If the removable media is bootable and infected, a computer may attempt to boot from it and infect the computer. If you have a removable disk (e.g., floppy disk or USB thumb drive) not being using as a boot device, leave it disconnected or out of the computer during boot. If it’s used frequently, make sure in the boot options it’s the last boot device.
Floppy drive terms, Local disk, Removable hard drive, Tape drive terms
