def get_system_drives():
    """
    Get the available drive names on the system. Always returns a list.
    """
    drives = []
    if os.name == 'nt':
        import ctypes
        bitmask = ctypes.windll.kernel32.GetLogicalDrives()
        letter = ord('A')
        while bitmask > 0:
            if bitmask & 1:
                name = chr(letter) + ':' + os.sep
                if os.path.isdir(name):
                    drives.append(name)
            bitmask >>= 1
            letter += 1
    else:
        current_drive = get_drive(os.getcwd())
        if current_drive:
            drive = current_drive
        else:
            drive = os.sep
        drives.append(drive)

    return drives