Any way to show external HDD as a Flash Drive?

[antistyleus]

I want to be able to use one external HDD to install different versions on windows on new computers via usb. Is there a way to do this?

 

[millwright]

You could use the BAD USB exploit for good.

Bad USB tells the USB controller, it is something else.

Just kidding, although it would work.

 

[USAFRet]

Short answer: No

Long answer: Yes, kind of. But it is a real pain, and will be dirt slow if you ever do get it working.
Add to that if you are trying to move that external install between multiple machines.....you run into it not booting at all, and licensing issues.

 

[antistyleus]

Short answer: No

Long answer: Yes, kind of. But it is a real pain, and will be dirt slow if you ever do get it working.
Add to that if you are trying to move that external install between multiple machines.....you run into it not booting at all, and licensing issues.

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to be clear i'm not trying to run windows from the external. I just want to be able to install from it. Not sure if thats what you were getting at in your answer.

 

[USAFRet]

Short answer: No

Long answer: Yes, kind of. But it is a real pain, and will be dirt slow if you ever do get it working.
Add to that if you are trying to move that external install between multiple machines.....you run into it not booting at all, and licensing issues.

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to be clear i'm not trying to run windows from the external. I just want to be able to install from it. Not sure if thats what you were getting at in your answer.

Oh.
Yes, you can do that easily.
Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool will get the install on a USB stick.

Note - for what you are wanting to do this will only work with Win 7 and earlier. Windows 7 gives you 30 days before it must be activated.
Windows 8 requires the license key during the install.

 

[antistyleus]

Short answer: No

Long answer: Yes, kind of. But it is a real pain, and will be dirt slow if you ever do get it working.
Add to that if you are trying to move that external install between multiple machines.....you run into it not booting at all, and licensing issues.

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to be clear i'm not trying to run windows from the external. I just want to be able to install from it. Not sure if thats what you were getting at in your answer.

Oh.
Yes, you can do that easily.
Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool will get the install on a USB stick.

Note - for what you are wanting to do this will only work with Win 7 and earlier. Windows 7 gives you 30 days before it must be activated.
Windows 8 requires the license key during the install.

Thats actually the same tool I am using, but it will only put the files on a DVD or USB. I want to put them on an external HDD. thats why i'm looking for a way for windows to recognise my external as a USB.

 

[USAFRet]

Short answer: No

Long answer: Yes, kind of. But it is a real pain, and will be dirt slow if you ever do get it working.
Add to that if you are trying to move that external install between multiple machines.....you run into it not booting at all, and licensing issues.

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to be clear i'm not trying to run windows from the external. I just want to be able to install from it. Not sure if thats what you were getting at in your answer.

Oh.
Yes, you can do that easily.
Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool will get the install on a USB stick.

Note - for what you are wanting to do this will only work with Win 7 and earlier. Windows 7 gives you 30 days before it must be activated.
Windows 8 requires the license key during the install.

Thats actually the same tool I am using, but it will only put the files on a DVD or USB. I want to put them on an external HDD. thats why i'm looking for a way for windows to recognise my external as a USB.

Actually, I do not think that would work. An external USB HDD needs an actual OS running first. It is handled differently than a flash drive.

But a sufficiently large flash drive might work.