+- Hack Forums (https://hackforums.net)
+-- Forum: Tech (https://hackforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=444)
+--- Forum: Computing (https://hackforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=88)
+---- Forum: Microsoft Windows (https://hackforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=347)
+---- Thread: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? (/showthread.php?tid=5822979)
Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Flowerson - Apr 10, 2018
Hi all! I'm thinking about going away this weekend and my laptops hard drive broke and all I have is an usb external hard drive. Would there be a way to install windows on it and make it run just like normal? Thanks it is usb 3.0
I won't be doing nothing tooo heavy with it just probably some league of legends and doing a bit of homework!
Thanks all! ^^
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Xycon - Apr 10, 2018
Honestly ... you can find tons of guides if you would just use google ...
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Saltpeter - Apr 10, 2018
You can, it would run much slower than if it was on an internal drive though.
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Wires - Apr 10, 2018
It's more than possible, just not that it's not going to be as fast.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/3185777/windows/how-to-install-windows-on-an-external-drive.html
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Eternal. - Apr 11, 2018
Yes, I installed Windows 10 on a USB stick even. It wasn't viable to have on a USB though as it was unusable aside from booting up lol.
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - werhuman - Apr 12, 2018
I have all my Windows Installs on an external, especially handy when the Notebook or Laptop doesn't have an optical drive for a DVD. As stated it is eminently possible, but slow using a conventional drive... An external SSD however might be quicker... Idealy , and as long as you don't intend updating, borrow an old 8 bit computing trick and put the OS on a Rom chip. I've seen system-on-a chip boards recently that used the latest ARM's and Win 10 on single chips. Granted these are for the industrial market but... When has that stopped the inventive?
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Phlox - Apr 13, 2018
It is possible to create a portable bootable Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 USB flash drive, containing all your software without requiring Windows To Go.
"How to Create a Portable Windows USB Flash Drive"
http://www.geekpolice.net/t30910-how-to-create-a-portable-windows-usb-flash-drive?highlight=flash
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - OrangeBBQ - Apr 14, 2018
Yes it is for whatever reason. Lots of tutorials out there about how to do it.
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - oscast - Apr 14, 2018
Just find a relatively cheap ssd and carry it around with you.
RE: Can I install windows on an extrnal harddrive? - Renagade - Apr 17, 2018
Honestly best bet is pulling your external HDD apart, dismantling the casing of the drive and installing it into your laptop provided the internal drive has SATA ports.
This way it wont be limited by USB port speeds and will read & write alot faster than it would as an external drive.