Can I install my operating system on a flash drive

Big brain · September 16, 2021

I am looking to build a PC in the year so I want to know if I can do that?

BondiBlue · September 16, 2021

Yes, but you really shouldn't for a number of reasons:

1) It'll be really slow unless you have a great flash drive.

2) You can't directly install Windows onto the flash drive like you can a normal SATA or NVMe drive.

3) You run the risk of wearing out the drive rather quickly as opposed to a proper SSD.

Just get yourself a cheap SSD if that's all you can afford. It's a MUCH better solution than installing your OS onto a flash drive.

Just to add: some Linux distros run alright from USB flash drives, but I still wouldn't recommend it.

RollinLower · September 16, 2021

you could, and some operating systems are even intended to be used this way, but windows from a USB drive will not be a nice experience.

Curioisman · September 16, 2021

Like others has said, it is possible and it has been done before, USB drive acts as a normal hard drive if put on the computer, but it's slower.. way slower than a hard drive or ssd, also it is not as secure, meaning it can corrupt pretty easily on use, USB drives tend to be like that on heavy usage.