Solved Need information of how to install OS from external hard drive

LM2007

New Member
Messages
17
I used the search to check if this was posted before, but couldn't find it. How can i install Windows 8 from a portable hard drive (USB)? i know how to do it from USB flash drives, but the Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool only recognize optical drives and USB sticks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64b
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Solo
    Memory
    4 GB Samsung
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA 4500 MHD
Is there a specific need to install it off an external drive?

You can install Windows 8 from within Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    CP
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    17074 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP dv7 3173nr
    CPU
    M520
    Memory
    5GB
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Internet Speed
    120Mb/s
  • PC2
    HP A12 R7 17074
I was not specific, sorry. I wanted to install it from an external hard drive if there is a benefit in terms of speed when Windows is installing into a new computer because if i'm correct, an external hard drive is faster than a usb flash? should i stick with the thumb drive or the portable hard drive?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64b
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Solo
    Memory
    4 GB Samsung
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA 4500 MHD
I was not specific, sorry. I wanted to install it from an external hard drive if there is a benefit in terms of speed when Windows is installing into a new computer because if i'm correct, an external hard drive is faster than a usb flash? should i stick with the thumb drive or the portable hard drive?

Generally speaking a USB flash drive is faster than an external HD. Even if it is firewire USB should be faster. I re-installed DP last night in under 15 mins.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WCP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    2@ 4.9 Hz
    Memory
    64 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9600
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    300gig internal and a bunch ext
    Cooling
    not much
    Keyboard
    Built-in
    Mouse
    Logitch Anywhere Mx wireless mouse
    Internet Speed
    50 down 1.5 up
I will follow your tip then and test, thanks for the great help as always, this is like a Windows encyclopedia. I'll post results later..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64b
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Solo
    Memory
    4 GB Samsung
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA 4500 MHD
Tried to create the windows 8 usb stick with the windows 7 usb dvd tool, but at 97% an error show up that it couldn't finish, but i don't understand because the size of the usb is 3.64 and the iso 3.63, can that be the problem?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64b
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Solo
    Memory
    4 GB Samsung
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA 4500 MHD
I was not specific, sorry. I wanted to install it from an external hard drive if there is a benefit in terms of speed when Windows is installing into a new computer because if i'm correct, an external hard drive is faster than a usb flash? should i stick with the thumb drive or the portable hard drive?

Actually this is really a moot point because Windows copies the files from the USB / HDD to the local HDD first and then does the de-compression and installation from the local HDD.

I wouldn't worry about the performance issues between external HDD and a USB drive -- and USB sticks these days are CHEEEEEEEAP.

You'll need a 8GB USB drive to be 100% sure of getting all the Windows files on to it together with the boot manager.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
extract win 8 iso on to usb drive then boot from on startup (F12)
I used the search to check if this was posted before, but couldn't find it. How can i install Windows 8 from a portable hard drive (USB)? i know how to do it from USB flash drives, but the Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool only recognize optical drives and USB sticks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7 64 pro+win 8 64 , xp 32 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home built by myself
    CPU
    intell quad core 2 2.4ghz
    Motherboard
    gygabyte p43-es3g
    Memory
    8 g ddr2 hyperx 800mhz , set to extreme
    Graphics Card(s)
    gforce 9600 gt , set to extreme
    Sound Card
    creative SB Audigy advaced HD 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flattron w2442pa hdmi + acer x193w
    Screen Resolution
    native 1920 by 1080 + 1600 by 900
    Hard Drives
    2 Maxtor sata 500 gig. main
    2 Seagate Barracuda 8o gig image backup
    using Acronis boot cd
    2 freeagents 500gig + 1000gig storage
    PSU
    650w ultra
    Case
    ultra
    Cooling
    2 fans
    Keyboard
    microsoft
    Mouse
    microsoft
    Internet Speed
    150kbs
    Other Info
    external usb 4 gig ReadyBoost.
    usb set to extreme.
Back
Top