Disk drives are storage devices used to read and write data on disks. They come in various forms, including hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). HDDs use spinning disks coated with magnetic material, while SSDs use flash memory, making them faster and more durable. These drives are essential for computers, laptops, and servers, providing space for operating systems, applications, and files. Disk drives can be internal, installed within the device, or external, connected via USB or other interfaces. Their capacity and speed significantly impact a system's performance and user experience.