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Windows on an external HDD?

Chaos Network
By Chaos Network
in Windows
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I have a 2011 MacBook Air, its the 11.6" model with the 128GB SSD in it. That is why I do not just want to partition that and install Windows that way. I recently came across an external HDD with a USB interface. Would i be able to install a full version of Windows 7 or 10 on this HDD and have good performance at all? The only reason that I want to install Windows is because I have a few programs that only work on Windows, or run better on Windows versus OS X Sierra. And if i do end up doing this, would you recommend Windows 7 or Windows 10? I would prefer Windows 10, but if it doesn't run well, there isn't much that i can do about that.

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Windows doesn't work if you install it on an external hard drive, even if you install it internally. The only way to get it to work is to use WindowsToGo (but I don't know how to do it so don't ask me :P )

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http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7-to-usb-external-hard-drive-must-read/

I found this, but I can't confirm if it actually works.

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15 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

You need to install Windows on a internal hdd. You could also install Windows on a vm in the external hdd. 

But i want to keep and use OS X for most things. I only want to use Windows for these certain few programs.

"If you gon be bout it, be bout it bout it" ~ Gavin 'itsjusta6' Simon

I play games - Look at my profile for specs

I love memes. I make bad memes, but I like dank memes, who doesn't?

I am good at editing videos and pictures, feel free to message me if you would like some work done.

 

Thanks!

Kole Overby

Owner At:

Chaos Network

DanTheNali Videography

 

Employee At:

Neighborhood Mechanic

Heinen's Powersports

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5 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Then why not install Windows on a vm?

these arent light programs. I have a few steam games that only run on windows, as well as Sony Vegas Pro 14, which need as much resources as they can get, so i dont think it is a good idea to be running 2 OSs, because you run the VM thru OS X correct?

"If you gon be bout it, be bout it bout it" ~ Gavin 'itsjusta6' Simon

I play games - Look at my profile for specs

I love memes. I make bad memes, but I like dank memes, who doesn't?

I am good at editing videos and pictures, feel free to message me if you would like some work done.

 

Thanks!

Kole Overby

Owner At:

Chaos Network

DanTheNali Videography

 

Employee At:

Neighborhood Mechanic

Heinen's Powersports

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26 minutes ago, Chaos Network said:

these arent light programs. I have a few steam games that only run on windows, as well as Sony Vegas Pro 14, which need as much resources as they can get, so i dont think it is a good idea to be running 2 OSs, because you run the VM thru OS X correct?

Give parallels a try and see if it works OK. Running a second os doest take much extra. 

 

I'd start cleaning space on your boot drive if you want to dual boot. 

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1 hour ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

You need to install Windows on a internal hdd. You could also install Windows on a vm in the external hdd. 

a vm just isn't the same

1 hour ago, M.Yurizaki said:

Windows doesn't work if you install it on an external hard drive, even if you install it internally. The only way to get it to work is to use WindowsToGo (but I don't know how to do it so don't ask me :P )

100% incorrect you can install and run windows 10 from a usb or external drive if installed as windows to go. 

 

http://www.intowindows.com/download-wintousb/

 

I've used this software to install windows on a 128gb usb. 

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