Create new computer hard drive externally before install

[lytspace]

I want to put a new solid state drive on my computer. Can I pre-install the operating system, drivers, data, etc. externally on the new drive before hand using a second computer? Then simply turn off the computer and swap the original hard drive with newly set-up solid state drive?
I want to do this to minimized the hours required to install everything onto essentially a new computer.

 

[GhislainG]

To prevent issues you should install the OS with only the SSD connected; otherwise you risk having the boot partition created on another drive if the SSD isn't the first unit. It can definitely be done externally if you use a SATA enclosure (or connectors) and the SSD is connected to a port on the contrller that you'll use when booting from the SSD. Will you use an identical computer to perform the OS installation?