Step-by-Step Guide- How to Install Windows on an External Hard Drive for Easy Portability_2
How to Install Windows to an External Hard Drive
Installing Windows on an external hard drive can be a convenient solution for users who need to switch between different operating systems or who want to create a portable version of Windows. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Windows on an external hard drive step by step.
Step 1: Prepare the Necessary Materials
Before you begin, make sure you have the following items ready:
1. An external hard drive with enough storage space to accommodate the Windows installation. A minimum of 32GB is recommended, but more space is better for future updates and applications.
2. A Windows installation ISO file. You can download the ISO file from the official Microsoft website or use a Windows installation disc.
3. A USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage space to create a bootable USB drive.
4. A computer with a working operating system.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive
To install Windows on an external hard drive, you first need to create a bootable USB drive. You can use various tools to create a bootable USB drive, such as Rufus or Windows Media Creation Tool. Here’s how to create a bootable USB drive using Rufus:
1. Download Rufus from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
3. Open Rufus and select the USB flash drive from the Device dropdown menu.
4. Click on the Select button and choose the Windows installation ISO file you downloaded earlier.
5. In the Partition scheme dropdown menu, select MBR (Master Boot Record) if you are installing Windows on a PC with BIOS or UEFI with MBR.
6. In the File system dropdown menu, select FAT32.
7. Click on the Start button to begin the process. Rufus will format the USB drive and copy the Windows installation files to it.
Step 3: Install Windows on the External Hard Drive
Now that you have a bootable USB drive, you can proceed to install Windows on the external hard drive. Follow these steps:
1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer.
2. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., F2, Del, or Esc) during the boot process.
3. In the BIOS or UEFI settings, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive. Save the changes and exit the settings.
4. Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. The Windows installation process will begin automatically.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. When prompted to select a drive, choose the external hard drive you connected to your computer.
6. Continue with the installation process until Windows is installed on the external hard drive.
Step 4: Set Up the External Hard Drive
After the installation is complete, you may need to set up the external hard drive to ensure it functions correctly. Here’s how to do it:
1. Restart your computer and boot from the external hard drive.
2. Log in to your Windows account.
3. Open the Disk Management tool by searching for “Disk Management” in the Start menu.
4. In the Disk Management window, you should see the external hard drive listed. Right-click on the drive and select “Format.”
5. Choose the file system (e.g., NTFS) and allocation unit size, then click “OK” to format the drive.
6. Once the formatting is complete, you can use the external hard drive to store and run Windows.
Conclusion
Installing Windows on an external hard drive is a straightforward process that can provide flexibility and convenience for users. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can successfully install Windows on an external hard drive and take advantage of its benefits.
