startupdisk
nounUK /ˈstɑːtʌp dɪsk/
US /ˈstɑːrtʌp dɪsk/
A startup disk is the special disk a computer uses to wake up and start working.
The old computer would not turn on until we put in the startup disk.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A disk or drive that contains the files a computer needs to begin loading its operating system.
The technician created a startup disk in case the main drive failed.
3. In older Mac computers, the disk selected in System Preferences that the machine starts from.
She chose the external drive as the startup disk in the settings.
4. A removable USB or CD used to repair or install an operating system.
He carried a startup disk to fix computers that would not boot.