Question I can't get Windows 10 to load from external SSD

[ZionJohn]

I am having problems getting Windows 10 to load from an external SSD. Here's what I've done:
I initialized the drive with GUID partion. BIOS is UEFI.
I used DiskGenius to copy my C: drive over to SSD. Everything looks good in File Explorer.
In BIOS I made USB Full Initial and SSD drive option 1 in Boot menu.
What happens when I try and load Windows is that the Startup screen comes on but OS doesn't load. It just keeps cycling back to the Startup screen.
Any suggestions on what I should try next?

 

[USAFRet]

1. WHY do you want to run Win 10 from an external?

2. You'd need to use something like WinToGo to actually make it run from that.

3. See #1.

 

[ZionJohn]

1. WHY do you want to run Win 10 from an external?

2. You'd need to use something like WinToGo to actually make it run from that.

3. See #1.

The Internal HHD is reallly slow. Windows takes forever to load and it takes forever to wake up. I've tried optimizing it but it didn't help at all. Not sure how to connect SSD directly to ASUS MC32CD motherboard.

 

[USAFRet]

The Internal HHD is reallly slow. Windows takes forever to load and it takes forever to wake up. I've tried optimizing it but it didn't help at all. Not sure how to connect SSD directly to ASUS MC32CD motherboard.

A 2.5" SATA SSD will be a direct replacement for an HDD.
Exact same connections.
But it will be way faster.

Trying to run Windows from an external drive will not be any better than the slow HDD.


How many SATA ports does this motherboard have, and how many SATA power outputs?

 

[ZionJohn]

I really appreciate your help! I don't know off the top of my head but will check later. I have a doctor's appointment now but I will be back.

 

[USAFRet]

I really appreciate your help! I don't know off the top of my head but will check later. I have a doctor's appointment now but I will be back.

It almost certainly has enough of the proper connections.
And even if not, we can outline a clone operation from HDD to SSD.
The difference is eyeopening.

 

[Misgar]

You can't just copy your internal boot drive to an external SSD and expect it to boot via USB. You need Windows To Go, to create an external bootable drive.

Try Win to USB.
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/index.html

If your internal drive is an old fashioned spinning hard disk, follow USAFRet's advice and clone your C: drive to a new SATA SSD. The result will be much, much, faster.

I've just used Macrium Reflect this afternoon to clone an old laptop drive to a new SSD.
https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree#backup-and-recovery-software-for-home-pcs

 

[SkyNetRising]

Not sure how to connect SSD directly to ASUS MC32CD motherboard.

What model SSD?
If your SSD is NVME M.2, then there may not be any way to connect it internally (unless you have PCIE x16 slot unoccupied).
Motherboard lacks any onboard M.2 slots.

 

[ZionJohn]

OK. So I disconnected the HHD and connected the SSD in it's place. All works fine (so much faster!). The MB has only one SATA power outlet. Would a splitter cable extension be okay for connecting SSD and HDD?

 

[USAFRet]

OK. So I disconnected the HHD and connected the SSD in it's place. All works fine (so much faster!). The MB has only one SATA power outlet. Would a splitter cable extension be okay for connecting SSD and HDD?

Only 1 SATA power?
That is VERY unusual.

SATA power usually comes off the PSU, not the motherboard.

 

[ZionJohn]

Well, I guess I have that backwards. DOH! The HDD is such junk I don't care if I can't hook it up.

 

[USAFRet]

Well, I guess I have that backwards. DOH! The HDD is such junk I don't care if I can't hook it up.

So proceed on, with only the SSD...😉

 

[chillhouse1]

windows stop support installation on external device (windows to go) a couple of years earlier

 

[ZionJohn]

Thank you all for your help. I learned a lot today.