How can I install Windows 7 TO an external hard drive?

sneely4040

First off, the first 10 pages of google list how to transfer the DVD to the flash drive. That's not it. I would like a fully working Windows off the flash drive. This would be nice because my Mac's hard drive is full to bursting after the partition split for Boot Camp, and I don't mind an attachment, because I don't use Windows often. And I've heard that the bootloader only works on one computer and plugging it into another will cause it to cease to work. I'm only using it on my Mac, so I don't care.

Answer
Not possible to load an operating system from an external hard drive. Simply put Microsoft do not want people carrying a bootable operating system around on an external source for use on different computers (i.e. portable windows). There are many forums online with people claiming to have booted from external drives and the rest but no-one has actual proof that they have achieved this.

Booting Windows 7 from a VHD on a flash drive?

j3tech

I have a Virtual Hard Drive (VHD) file on which I have installed windows 7 through the use of a virutal machine.
I have that VHD file on my 16GB Flash Drive.
I want to configure the BCD file to boot the computer directly to that VHD.
I know that VHD files can easily be set to be a boot device with the VHD on C:\ drive.
But how do I do this on a flash drive?

[My goal is to create a portable windows 7 that i can plug into any computer and boot up windows 7]
Yes, I know i'm crazy...don't hate. It can be done. I've used it before.
Where I am right now: I have been able to get to the point of having the Starting Windows boot screen from the VHD but right after the orbs come together to form the windows logo...it just reboots (no bluescreen)
Okay. I was just able to get EasyBCD to do its thing correctly...It aims directly at the VHD file, Shows me the menu of boot items. [There is one that I made (Windows 7 Portable)] Then it does the Starting Windows Screen, and THEN it just crashes...I am suspecting a driver issue, remember: I want to be able to put this on any computer...

Answer
Probably can be done. Flash drives have to be made bootable. You can set your BIOS to boot them before other media (CD, Hard Drive, etc.) but that doesn't mean they will just boot. Google around - there are plenty of freeware tools that will partition and install the proper files needed to boot a USB device. Just Google "make flash drive bootable". Your question suggests you know how to create bootable VHDs - so just put all the necessary files on the drive once it has a truly bootable partition.

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