In computing, the term raw disk,[1][2] often referred to as raw, is used to refer to hard disk access at a raw, binary level, beneath the file system level, and using partition data at the MBR.
A notable example is in the context of platform virtualization, and a feature of certain virtualization software is the ability to access a hard disk at the raw level.
Virtualization software may typically function via the usage of a virtual drive format like OVF, but some users may want the virtualization software to be able to run an operating system that has been installed on another disk or disk partition.
RAW file system indicates a state of your hard drive which has no or unknown file system.
When a hard drive or external storage device is shown as RAW, it could be: