removable storage

Detachable data carrier

Removable storage refers to data storage media that can be inserted into and removed from a computer or device—USB flash drives, external hard drives, SD cards, and formerly floppy disks and CDs.

The term distinguishes portable media from built-in storage: Back up your files to removable storage before the trip.

Also called removable media.

Related

USBDevice connection standard
flash drivePortable digital storage device
thumb driveCompact removable digital storage
jump drivePortable USB storage device
pen drivePortable USB storage device

data stick · SD card · micro SD · memory card · card reader · external hard drive · portable · eject · plug · unplug · backup · transfer · compact · pocket · keychain · plug and play · data · files

Categories

portable storageflash drive, thumb drive, USB drive, USB flash drive, USB stick
Flash Storageflash memory, flash drive, NAND, SSD, solid-state drive

Opposites

permanence of attachment

removable storageinternal storage

Device's built-in data capacity

ROM · firmware

portability

removable storagecloud storage

Online data preservation service

Family

remove, removable, removal, removes, removed, removing, remover, removability, store

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G