Is it possible to install W7 on USB hdd?


  1. Posts : 341
    W7 Ult x64, W8 Pro x64 and W10 Pro x64
       #1

    Is it possible to install W7 on USB hdd?


    I am having difficulty restoring backup image of W7 on SATA controller onto USB3 connected hard drive. I have not tried clean install on USB3 connected hdd yet but am beginning to suspect it is not possible.
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  2. Posts : 2,573
    Win7 Ultimate X64
       #2

    To my knowledge i dont think it is possible to install to external drive
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  3. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 x64
       #3

    It is possible, as long as your BIOS recognizes the drive as a bootable option.
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  4. Posts : 78
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #4

    i've never tried installing an OS on an external hd myself, but it feels quite risky even if it can be done. when something happens to the usb connection, the whole system will tumble. what's wrong with restoring to the internal hd ?
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  5. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 x64
       #5

    oh I agree, I never would want to, but if you absolutely had to, it could be done.
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  6. Posts : 341
    W7 Ult x64, W8 Pro x64 and W10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    It would be handy for emergency use. Anyway this is off topic.
    I wonder if anyone know how to? I do not want to clean install for my purpose though. I would think if W7 can be installed on USB hdd, then W7 backup image can be restored on USB drive.
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  7. Posts : 1,872
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 8.1 Pro x64, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1,
       #7

    As far as I know, it is not possible with Windows 7.
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  8. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #8

    Microsoft has never supported installing any version of Windows to an external drive, except Windows 8 Enterprise Edition. Note that this is not a retail product but available only to large organizations with bulk licensing.

    With some hardware it is possible but not really a practical proposition.
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  9. Posts : 1,216
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
       #9

    It is possible with software out there. But I would not advise you to do it. Basically the software turns it into a internal device. But when you start to remove and re-insert things really go bad.
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