Asennusmediat

Asennusmediat, often translated as installation media, refers to the physical or digital storage containing the necessary files to install an operating system or software application onto a computer. This media acts as the source from which the installation program reads and copies files to the target device's storage, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive. Historically, installation media commonly included floppy disks or CD-ROMs. More recently, installation media is typically distributed on DVDs, USB flash drives, or as downloadable ISO image files.

The process of using installation media involves booting the computer from it, which then launches an installer program. This program guides the user through the installation process, often including steps like partitioning the storage drive, selecting installation options, and configuring basic system settings. Once the installation is complete, the computer is typically rebooted from its main storage drive, and the installation media is no longer required.

For operating systems, installation media is crucial for initial setup or for reinstalling the OS if it becomes corrupted. Software applications also commonly utilize installation media, though many are now distributed through digital download services or package managers, which may download and install components on demand without requiring a distinct, pre-packaged installation medium in the traditional sense. The term "asennusmediat" emphasizes the medium's role in the installation phase of a digital product.