Running Windows 10 Pro On USB HDD?

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  1. Posts : 696
    Windows 10
       #1

    Running Windows 10 Pro On USB HDD?


    Hi everyone,

    I hate to be creating a thread about this, but I know this community has many I.T experts!

    I'm running Windows 10 Pro 32bit on my laptop, but I need to remove the laptop's HDD and so the laptop will be without a HDD.

    Could I plug in a USB HDD and run Windows 10 Pro 32 bit like this?

    The laptop only has USB 2.0 ports.

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       #2

    Have a look at this, Create Windows To Go Workspace USB in Windows 10 Scroll all the way to the bottom and you'll see other options that may work in your case.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 696
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I forgot to say that the laptop also has an E-Sata and Firewire port.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 696
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    alphanumeric said:
    Have a look at this, Create Windows To Go Workspace USB in Windows 10 Scroll all the way to the bottom and you'll see other options that may work in your case.
    Thanks, but I also wanted to know how Windows 10 Pro would run in terms of speed on a USB 2.0 HDD?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,497
    Windows10
       #5

    Easiest way is to use wintousb (UEFI boot manager, Windows To Go Creator, Free Data Recovery, All-in-One Microsoft Windows Setup software).

    It will be a little slow on usb2 assuming your are not limited by flash drive speed.

    However, assuming flash drive is fast enough, it will be tolerable. USB3 is better for sure.

    An hdd should be ok as it will be faster than usb2.
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  6. Posts : 696
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks, but the USB HDD I want to use is only 4800RPM... Would Windows 10 Pro 32bit be usable with this?

    I've got USB flash drives but the biggest capacity I have is only 16GB...

    I could buy a 32GB USB flash drive, but would this be enough to install Windows 10 Pro 32bit on?
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  7. Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    I'm running Windows 10 Enterprise WTG from a 5400 RPM Laptop IDE drive in a USB 2 enclosure. It's slow. Patience is required, lol. It's not something I would want to run as my daily driver.
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  8. Posts : 696
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    But is Windows 10 usable on an external USB 2.0 HDD???

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       #9

    Yes, it was "usable" for me. Windows open slow though, lots of pauses after launching Apps or Programs. Slow to boot up too.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    I'm sure this is going to be a silly question.... Why not install a different hand drive in the laptop.
      My Computer


 

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