[SOLVED] How to install Win 10 to an external HDD?

[KatakuriChan]

Hi, I had this software, but I don't know the name, so can't find it.

What it does is after selecting the ISO, it installs windows to an external hard disk. ( Ex. Let's say a laptop with no USB or DVD, using this you can install the windows without using a boot media. (using another PC.) )

 

[USAFRet]

Hi, I had this software, but I don't know the name, so can't find it.

What it does is after selecting the ISO, it installs windows to an external hard disk. ( Ex. Let's say a laptop with no USB or DVD, using this you can install the windows without using a boot media. (using another PC.) )

Why do you wish to install Windows to an external drive?

Details, please.

 

[KatakuriChan]

Why do you wish to install Windows to an external drive?

Details, please.

Not like that. Let's say there are two PCs, A and B. This way I can take the Hard disk from A and plug it into B PC as an external Hard, run this and it will install a fresh copy of Windows . Then I can plug it back into A . In another word, something similar to cloning a freshly installed Windows HDD.

 

[USAFRet]

Not like that. Let's say there are two PCs, A and B. This way I can take the Hard disk from A and plug it into B PC as an external Hard, run this and it will install a fresh copy of Windows . Then I can plug it back into A . In another word, something similar to cloning a freshly installed Windows HDD.

1. No.
2. WinToUSB -https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/
3. Windows To Go - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/planning/windows-to-go-overview

However.....running through the USB interface, this will be disturbingly slow.

Why, specifically, are you looking to do this?

 

[KatakuriChan]

1. No.
2. WinToUSB -https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/
3. Windows To Go - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/planning/windows-to-go-overview

However.....running through the USB interface, this will be disturbingly slow.

Why, specifically, are you looking to do this?

Thanks, I think it is WinToUSB. This isn't for running through USB. This way when I need to install Windows for another PC, I can just unplug the hard disk and plug it into my PC, then let it install Windows and plug back.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks, I think it is WinToUSB. This isn't for running through USB. This way when I need to install Windows for another PC, I can just unplug the hard disk and plug it into my PC, then let it install Windows and plug back.

Thats a totally different thing.

You're thinking of the MediaCreation tool.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10


And you don't install the OS on System A, and then move that drive+OS to System B.

 

[KatakuriChan]

Thats a totally different thing.

You're thinking of the MediaCreation tool.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10


And you don't install the OS on System A, and then move that drive+OS to System B.

No. It is to create a bootable USB installation disk right? Sorry about my English. I'm not a native. 😬 What this software doing is when we link the ISO and drive letter, it installs Windows to another hard disk . So the end result is like this. (except the Windows.old folder.)

 

[USAFRet]

What are you actually wanting to do?

Create a bootable USB, used to install Windows 10 on a drive that lives in a different system?
Or...install a Win 10 on a drive, then move that drive to a different system?

 

[KatakuriChan]

What are you actually wanting to do?

Create a bootable USB, used to install Windows 10 on a drive that lives in a different system?
Or...install a Win 10 on a drive, then move that drive to a different system?

install a Win 10 on a drive, then move that drive to a different system?

 

[USAFRet]

install a Win 10 on a drive, then move that drive to a different system?

Don't do that.

 

[KatakuriChan]

Don't do that.

Hmm, reason? I used that every time on my friends' PCs when I was in college. Didn't face any issues.

 

[USAFRet]

Hmm, reason? I used that every time on my friends' PCs when I was in college. Didn't face any issues.

Installing a Windows OS in System A, then moving that drive and OS to System B often fails.

If you've had "luck" doing that previously....you were lucky.

3 possible outcomes:

1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

I've personally seen all 3.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Windows 10 (and all other versions of Windows) is not designed to run from external media and therefore cannot be installed on external media. Yes, there are Youtube videos and such that claim to do it, but the bottom line is that it doesn't work and will cause many more problems than it solves.