On which storage device would a computer's system files and folders typically be stored?

The hard drive is the primary storage device where a computer's system files and folders are typically stored. It offers a substantial amount of permanent storage space, enabling the operating system, applications, and user data to reside effectively. Hard drives are designed for long-term use and allow for fast read and write speeds, which are critical for the operating system's performance and overall system functionality.

While other options such as flash drives, CD-ROMs, and external SSDs can also store data and files, they do not serve as the main drive for a computer's operating system and core applications in the same capacity. Flash drives are more suited for temporary storage and file transfer, CD-ROMs are primarily used for media distribution and are less practical for system files due to their limited storage capacity and slower access speeds, and external SSDs, though fast and reliable, typically serve as supplementary storage rather than a primary system drive.