What is typically stored in the Master Boot Record (MBR)?

The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a special type of boot sector that is located at the very beginning of a storage device, such as a hard drive or SSD. Its primary role is to define how the disk partitions are organized, which is essential for the operating system to understand how to access and utilize the space on the drive.

In the MBR, information about the partitions, such as their sizes, types, and locations, is stored. This helps the operating system know where to find the necessary files needed to boot up and operate correctly. When a computer is powered on, the firmware (BIOS) reads the MBR to locate the active partition that contains the operating system, allowing the system to start up properly.

Other options mentioned do not belong in the MBR. Device drivers are software components that facilitate communication between the operating system and hardware devices, and these are stored in system directories rather than in the MBR. Operating system files are part of the file structure on the partitions rather than in the MBR itself. User configuration settings are specific to individual user profiles and would not be found in the MBR, as they are stored in user directories or system configuration files.