The 1990s saw **major advancements in computer storage**, driven by the rapid growth of personal computing, the internet, and multimedia applications. **Hard disk drives (HDDs) became larger and more affordable**, with storage capacities growing from **hundreds of megabytes to several gigabytes** by the end of the decade. Companies like Seagate, Western Digital, and IBM developed **faster and more efficient drives**, making HDDs the primary storage solution for both personal and business computers. Meanwhile, **floppy disks remained popular**, with the **3.5-inch floppy disk (1.44 MB)** being the standard for transferring small files, though its limitations became more apparent as software and multimedia files grew in size.

One of the most significant developments was the rise of **optical storage**, particularly the **Compact Disc (CD-ROM)**. CDs became the dominant medium for **software distribution, games, and multimedia storage**, offering **700 MB of capacity**—far more than floppy disks. By the late 1990s, **CD-R and CD-RW** technology allowed users to **burn** their own data onto discs, making it easier to store and share large files. Towards the end of the decade, **Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs)** emerged, offering **4.7 GB of storage per disc**, making them ideal for movies, games, and data backup.

Another major breakthrough was the **introduction of flash memory and USB drives**. Toshiba’s **flash memory technology**, developed in the 1980s, became commercially available in the 1990s, leading to the first **USB flash drives** at the decade’s end. These devices provided a **portable and durable alternative to floppy disks**. Meanwhile, **Solid-State Drives (SSDs) were in early development**, though they were still too expensive for mainstream use. By the end of the 1990s, storage technology had become **more efficient, portable, and higher in capacity**, paving the way for the digital storage revolution of the 2000s.