Windows to go on USB3 SSD faster than Native local HDD

Hi there

I copied my W10 system to an eternal SSD attached via USB3 with Wintousb.

Booting it from USB3 device Windows is much faster / snappier than from the internal standard HDD.

Since I have a few spare SSD's I was wondering what's the disadvantage of permanently attching this USB3 device (have enough USB3 ports) and then using the built in HDD (3TB) as data storage. I think Windows to Go updates normally and system is shown as activated with digital license.

Ok wouldn't be as fast as direct e-sata or even sata connection but the improvement is easily noticeable. I've an image backup of the original system if the SSD fails.

Any thoughts -- saves breaking open the Miniserver cube and replacing one HDD with an SSD -- there was a place where I could insert a native sata connector and an SSD (there's a DVD slot) but I rescued this machine from the I.T guys at my office for Zilch - because the extra SATA connector on the Mobo was broken (not reparable - stripped off the Mobo). Rest of the server functions OK -- I.T was upgrading also in any case.

(Gen 10 HPE microserver , 32 GB RAM with AMD quad processor for 0 USD !!).

Put 4 HDD's in it and works fine - but I think the external SSD method seems OK. Probably not the use a Windows to Go system was intended for by Ms - but I'm a bonkers engineer so I like meddling around.

Cheers
jimbo

Ztruker said:

That is not necessarily a bad thing

Why not install a SSD?

Hi there

@Ztruker.

Box has 4 HDD bays all of which I'm using -- the problem with fitting an SSD -- I'd lose around 4TB HDD space for 250GB.

I could have fitted an SSD to the SATA connector which the DVD would have been connected to (via MOLEX connector for power) but the reason I got the server for FREE was that this SATA connector on the mobo is broken (and not reparable). The rest of the equipment was fine so rescued it from a 1 way trip to the Tip via courtesy of our I.T guys !!!

@cereberus
The wintousb does seem to do standard windows updates - note not talking about upgrades / new versions of Windows etc.

If I need a new build I can restore original image, upgrade and then re-create wintousb again.

Note am using the paid server edition of Wintousb so it might be the free version has limitations. The server edition can also revert Windows to go back to "Normal" windows" too so I don't think upgradeability etc is a problem.

Cheers
jimbo

Barman58 said:

I would personally install the SSD internally, move the HDD removed to an external USB2 Drive enclosure, (and then it can be used for any data anywhere), and you could even store a system Drive backup partition on the drive.

This way you get full advantage of the SSD and keep your storage,

You could alternatively, velcro the SSD onto the inside of the case and (assuming the availability of a suitable PCI slot) and fit an add-on Sata3 or even USB3 card, both are available with internal ports to run the displaced Sata HDD

Edit

https://www.amazon.co.uk/pci-Interna...+sata+port+pci

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ORICO-Expre...+usb3+port+pci
You would need an adaptor to use this with an internal SATA port, but does have the advantage of giving you 5 external and 1 internal extra USB3 ports

Hi there

Thanks especially @Barman58 - brilliant idea as there's enough space for 2 small pci-(e) slots --never thought of that one.



Needs to be a "Low profile one" but this I think fits the bill

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L0FDR...detail_3?psc=1

Have no probs with Amazon UK delivering to me. No VAT !!!


I need to keep all 4 HDD's as they are part of a Storage space -- equiv to RAID 0 -- 12 TB of data available on them .

I'll certainly look at the additional SATA card. Plenty of space inside the box to fix the SSD.

Cheers
jimbo