Solved How do I create a windows8 install to an external HDD?

Hey all,

I'm trying to get my existing installation of windows to boot as an external hard drive. I had it installed on an internal drive, then removed the hard drive and put it in an external enclosure. Then trying to boot off the drive results in windows loading the recovery screen and giving me a bunch of options. The only thing I can do is restart the computer with all the other options (refresh, reinstall) saying that the drive is locked. Putting the drive back into the computer will allow me to boot normally from it, but I want to be able to boot from it via USB 3.

What can I do to either create a fresh install of windows on this drive that can be booted by usb or migrate/modify my existing installation to work.

Thanks,

Kopkins

Try a look at Windows To Go

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html

Theog is quite right.

Do please understand though that Windows doesn't support booting from external drives. If you have an Enterprise version you could make a Windows to go. You could try to do it manually but it really isn't easy.

You'd have more luck putting your drive back or doing a fresh install.

Thanks guys. CS:GO was released ofr linux today so I don't need to do this anymore. But I will consider these tips if I ever need them again in the future.