Solved Rufus 2.6 not recognizing my USB3 SSD enclosure

[mohab]

I'm trying to install Windows 10 in an external media. I'm using an SSD that I put into a USB3 enclosure, which works very well when connected to the PC. I'm supposed to specify, on rufus, where i want the Windows 10 iso image to be installed. Rufus can't "see" my SSD.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Does this ssd have a drive letter assigned to it ?
Not sure why you'd put installation media on a ssd just to install on something else during the install ?
Most would use a flash drive or cd :/

You might need the media again to do a repair install or startup repair...

 

[mohab]

Actually, I wasn't trying tocopy windows 10 on the SSD. I was trying to install Windows 10 on the SSD to try it out instead of messing up my current pc with it.

Rufus does not "see" th SSD or even a portable hard disk although they are apparent in My Computer

Yes every drive I plug in gets a drive letter, according to the number of disks already plugged in or fitted into the computer.

OK, assuming that something in the hardware isn't compatible with Rufus, are there any other ways to install Windows 10 on a USB hard disk/SSD. I already have a Windows 10 iso, disk image, by the way.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I believe the ssd would have to be installed to a sata port not a usb port to be able to install any os.

Exactly what external enclosure do you have ?
Post a link to it.

To try win-10 it requires a activation key of a qualifying os and to use a M$ account as login those are the new testing requirements

 

[mohab]

"To try win-10 it requires a activation key of a qualifying os and to use a M$ account as login those are the new testing requirements"

OK, after acquiring a Win 10 activation key, how do I install it on a USB device?

 

[ThrashZone]

I doubt you can install and run windows on a usb device such as a enclosure
As far as I know you'd have to connect the ssd or hdd with a sata port not a usb

Only os's like windows to go is able to do that

I would suggest using a device like this it's exactly what i use to dual boot the old fashion way
Amazon.com: Vantec 2.5-Inch Dual Bay Trayless SATA III - 6G Mobile Rack (MRK-225S6-BK): Computers & Accessories

 

[mohab]

I tried plugging in a normal USB flash drive, which Rufus "saw" then I poined Rufus to where on my PC the Win 10 iso is and left it to do it's magic.....
Surprisingly what Rufus had done was not install Win10 on the flash drive but copy the iso file contents on the flash drive, so I can install W10 from that drive!

 

[jumanji]

The basic fact is Rufus will only see flash drives and not USB HDDs/SSDs.

"Rufus is a utility that helps format and create bootable USB flash drives, such as USB keys/pendrives, memory sticks, etc."

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep if you want to try to install win-10 to a drive you'd have to open the iso and run setup.exe
Then point the setup to the drive of choice.

 

[mohab]

Thrashzone, are you saying that I do a normal install of W10, except instead of installing it to C , I point it towatds my SSD drive name?

 

[ThrashZone]

That is one way to do it
If the installer see it connected it will show in the drive options,
usb devices seldom are shown there only sata connected drives that I've ever seen.

 

[mohab]

I tried extracting the contents of the is file, connected the SSD then ran setup..
Unfortunately it didn't ask where I wanted W10 to be installed so I canceled.

Thrashzone, are youtrying to say that the only way is to actually connect the SSD to a SATA cable then to install there, then remove it and put it into an enclosure?

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep it's a risky way but just because 10 says it's loading files doesn't mean it's installing
It will eventually give destination options.

Best way is to burn it to a flash drive with rufus and disconnect every drive except for the one you want to install 10 on.
Then there should be no mistakes
You'll also see if 10 will install to a usb connect external drive which I don't believe it will.