Description: Installation media are physical or virtual devices used to load and configure an operating system on a computer. These media can include USB drives, DVDs, external hard drives, or ISO images that can be mounted in virtual environments. Their primary function is to facilitate the installation of the necessary software for a computer to operate correctly. Installation media typically contain all the files needed for installation, as well as configuration tools and, in some cases, recovery utilities. The choice of installation media can depend on various factors, such as hardware compatibility, data transfer speed, and ease of use. For example, USB drives are becoming increasingly popular due to their portability and speed compared to DVDs. Additionally, some operating systems offer specific installation options that may require different types of media. In the context of installing software from scratch, installation media are crucial as they allow users to customize their environment from the start, choosing which components to install and how to configure them. In summary, installation media are an essential part of the operating system setup process, providing the necessary tools for users to initiate and customize their computing experience.
