Term: memory

When discussing computers, memory specifically refers to a computer’s RAM, or Random Access Memory.

RAM is the memory in which running programs (including Windows itself) and data currently in use are kept. This is the memory that is lost when the computer is powered off, and the memory that is reloaded when the computer boots.

Many people erroneously use the term memory to refer to a computer’s hard disk drive (HDD) or persistent storage – the storage that is not lost when the computer is turned off. This often leads to confusion about exactly what is being discussed.