A floppy disk, often called a "floppy" or "diskette," is a type of storage device that was used to save data on computers. These disks were made of plastic and metal and could hold between 100 KB to 1.44 MB of data. Floppy disks were first created in 1971 and became popular in the late 1970s. Eventually, they were replaced by other storage options like CDs, DVDs, and USB drives.

Floppy disks store data using magnetic material on a round disk inside. When you insert a floppy disk into a computer's floppy drive, a read/write head inside the drive moves over the disk's surface. This head reads or writes bits of data, which the computer then processes into files like documents, pictures, or audio.

The most common size for floppy disks is 3.5 inches. These disks come in three different storage capacities: double density (DD), high density (HD), and extra high density (ED). Double density disks can store about 800 KB of data, high-density disks hold 1 MB, and extra high-density disks can store up to 2 MB. There were also larger 5.25-inch floppy disks used in the 1980s, but they held less data and are no longer used.

The storage capacity of a floppy disk depends on its size and type. Most 3.5-inch floppies can store between 800 KB and 2 MB of data. Larger 5.25-inch disks typically hold up to 360 KB. Some specialized formats allowed floppy disks to store up to 8 MB, but these were less common.

Floppy disks had several advantages, including being cheap, portable, and non-volatile, meaning they didn't lose data when the power was turned off. They were compatible with most computers at the time and were durable enough to resist damage from magnetic fields or physical shock. This made them useful for transporting important files or keeping backup copies.

Floppy disks have many limitations compared to newer storage options. Their storage capacity is much lower than that of CDs, DVDs, or USB drives, which can hold hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes of data. Floppy disks are also slower and prone to physical damage, and many modern computers no longer have floppy disk drives.

Not all computers had a built-in floppy drive, especially as newer technologies like CDs and USB drives became more common. However, many business computers in the past did include floppy drives because floppy disks were widely used for distributing software and sharing files.

Most versions of the Windows operating system released between 1995 and 2000 supported floppy drives. Earlier DOS systems also used floppy disks as a primary storage method. However, as technology advanced, floppy drives were gradually replaced by other storage options.

The rise of the internet significantly reduced the need for physical storage media like floppy disks. People began sharing and storing files online, which made floppy disks less important for everyday use.

Besides storing data, floppy disks were used to create backups, transfer files between computers, and load programs in the early days of computing. Some older music equipment and safety systems still use floppy disks to load software updates or samples.

Floppy disks can be unreliable if stored in poor conditions, like areas that are too humid or dusty. Strong magnetic fields can also erase the data on a floppy disk. Additionally, floppy drives can wear out over time, and there is a risk of spreading viruses if the disks are not properly scanned before use.