Under common PC operating systems, what is the maximum number of logical drives that can be configured on a single physical hard disk?

Introduction / Context:
In personal computer systems, a physical hard disk can be divided into partitions, which the operating system may present as logical drives with drive letters such as C, D, or E. Legacy systems such as DOS and early versions of Windows imposed specific limits on how many logical drives could exist. This question checks your awareness of traditional constraints linked to drive letters and logical drive configuration.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are considering typical PC environments that use drive letters, such as DOS and early Windows.
• A logical drive is a partition that is assigned a drive letter.
• Drive letters usually range from A onward in the English alphabet.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, drive letters A and B were reserved for floppy drives, and letters C through Z could be assigned to hard disk partitions, optical drives, and other logical drives. That gives a theoretical maximum of 24 possible drive letters. A single physical disk can host multiple partitions and logical drives, but the number is constrained by the available drive letters and partitioning rules. Standard multiple choice questions often reference 24 as the maximum number of logical drives possible on one disk under these conventional limits.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Count the potential drive letters from C to Z, which yields 24 letters.Step 2: Recognize that these letters represent the maximum number of logical drives that can be mounted in the system.Step 3: Understand that in theory a single physical disk could consume all of these letters if partitioned appropriately.Step 4: Match this knowledge to the option that states a maximum of 24 logical drives.

Verification / Alternative check:
Although modern operating systems support more flexible volume management, exam questions based on traditional PC partitioning usually refer to the classic drive letter model. Under that model, there is a finite set of drive letters and thus a limited number of logical drives. Practical installers and disk management tools will not allow more logical drives than there are letters to assign, reinforcing the 24 drive limit from C onwards.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Four logical drives corresponds roughly to four primary partitions, not the total number of logical drives possible when using extended partitions.Option B: Eight is too low and does not align with the traditional drive letter limit.Option D: Infinite logical drives are impossible because the operating system and file system impose structural limits, including drive letters and partition table formats.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the maximum number of primary partitions with the maximum number of logical drives. Traditional MBR partitioning allows up to four primary partitions, but within an extended partition you can create multiple logical drives, up to the drive letter limit. Another confusion comes from modern systems that use GUID Partition Table and mount points instead of drive letters, but exam questions usually stick to the simpler legacy model.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is A maximum of 24 logical drives on a single physical disk under common PC operating systems.