Windows HDD/SSD starts at C because it is the default boot sector for these storage devices.
Windows HDD/SSD starts at C because it is the default boot sector for these storage devices.
They might not start at A because it's not the most convenient location or due to scheduling conflicts.
The query you mentioned was partially understood, and the response was revised on August 2, 2021 by RockSolid1106.
This system has never run on a Windows platform before. Windows will keep prompting with letters beginning at C instead of A.
But it is the reason. Now many programs are aware of the root HDD being at C:/ . If it ain't broke don't fix it.
There isn't a real explanation. The idea of drive letters came from DOS and carried over to MS-DOS and Windows. Back then, computers didn't have HDDs—they were costly and bulky. The process started with the OS (like MS-DOS) being loaded onto a floppy disk first, which was stored on the system before powering up. Because it was the first drive, it got the letter A:. Once the OS was in RAM, the floppy could be removed, and a new software disk could be inserted. This method was inconvenient, so those who could afford it used two floppy drives for copying large programs that couldn't fit entirely in memory, letting another disk handle the rest. Over time, HDDs replaced floppies, making storage more affordable. By 1981, a 10MB drive cost about $11,044 today. Scalper prices now seem reasonable. As systems evolved, OSes became more advanced, offering better usability and requiring installation on the main drive due to size and speed improvements. Eventually, Windows defaulted to C:\ for storage, keeping A: and B: as floppy slots. People understood that A: and B: were for floppies, while C: was reserved for HDDs. In the end, changing this layout wasn't beneficial—it added complexity. Now it's just a piece of history, showing how much technology has advanced.