A flash drive is a compact, portable data storage device that uses non-volatile NAND flash memory to store data without requiring a continuous power supply. It connects to a host system through an interface such as USB and allows electronic reading and writing of data without moving mechanical parts, making it durable and resistant to shock.
Flash drives contain an internal controller that manages data access, error correction, and wear levelling to extend the lifespan of the memory cells. They are commonly used for file transfer, portable storage, software distribution, backups, and bootable media. Flash drives are widely compatible across operating systems and devices.
Flash drives are available in a broad range of storage capacities, commonly including 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and up to 1 TB on high-capacity models. Actual usable capacity is slightly lower than advertised due to formatting and filesystem overhead, and performance varies depending on capacity, controller quality, and supported USB version.