Windows 7 - Help installing windows to free space on harddrive

alecwlkns · 02-10-2012

I am having trouble installing Windows to my external harddrive. I have more than enough space (~350GB) free, but the Windows 7 installer DVD will not let me install to this space.
I need to install to this harddrive because the HDD that came with the computer is dead. Can you help me?

Maguscreed · 02-10-2012

Is it formatted ntfs?
Most portable drives come formatted fat32.
Windows 7 will not work with fat32
anyhow instead of running you through all the possible reasons it may be best just to follow this.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

following that should eliminate the majority of things that would be causing the problem.

Ztruker · 02-10-2012

I don't believe you can install Windows to an external hard drive.

Installing Windows 7 on External HDD

Maguscreed · 02-10-2012

oh wait are we trying to do this while it's still in a usb enclosure? bad idea would be horribly slow anyway.

I thought he was saying he had a external drive that he was using as a replacement.

...which would be the way to go here.
Remove it from the portable enclosure and put it in the computer.

Windows 7 - Help installing windows to free space on harddrive

Help installing windows to free space on harddrive problems?