How can we install Windows 7 on an external hard disk [Windows OS Tweak]

If you have ever tried to install an Windows Opere System on one hdd extern, you have definitely been greeted by a error message who said that "Setup does not support configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or IEEE 1394 port"(At least in the case of Windows 7 this is the message). The conclusion? Cannot install Windows on an external HDD.

But the truth is another. A Windows OS can be installed on an external hard disk, but the installation is done in a different way from the standard one.

To install Windows (in our case Windows 7) on an external HDD you need the following:

• first of all External hard drive with a minimum of 16 GB of space (Before starting the process of installing Windows on the external HDD, it is recommended to do a backup of data on the hard - if they exist - to make sure they will not have "suffering")
• Windows installation files (in this case DVD or Installation Image Windows 7 - plus software to mount the image)
• Windows Automated Installation KIT (or WaiK), which you can Free Download on Microsoft site.

Step 1.

Create two new folders on one of the partitions of the system that has at least 5GB space, and call them Windows Files and WAIK Files

Step 2.

Download the next one archive and extract its contents in the folder WAIK Files

NT6.X_fast_installer.7z

Install Waik in the system, Then look for the following files in the partition you have installed WinXP (I mean C:; The files will only be available after the Waik installation in the system):

• bcdboot.exe
• bootsect.exe
• imagex.exe

and copy them all to the folder WAIK Files

Step 3.

Extract Windows 7 installation files (from DVD or the mounted image) in the folder Windows Files

Step 4.

In the Waik Files folder, click-right on installer.cmd and select Run as administrator

Step 5

Taste Enter and select install.wim from the open window

Step 6.

Select Windows 7 edition you want to install typing the figure allocated to it (in this case Cipher 5)

Step 7.

Taste the letter allocated to the external HDD (in this case litera X)

Step 8.

Then tatter the letter allocated to the active partition (ie the partition on which the operating system is installed, usually - as in this case – litera C)

Step 9.

Taste Y When you ask if the drive you want to install Windows is connected by USB And then give Enter

Step 10.

Tab again Enter to start Installation Windows 7 on external HDD. If you seem to you that the installation process takes a little longer than the standard installation, keep in mind that in this case it is about installing windows on an external hard.

Step 11.

After the installation process reaches the end, Restart your PC so that the latest settings can be performed.

Once the full installation, you can install any software and drivers you want. You have (still) a Sisiteim Windows 7 completely functional.

Note: For this tutorial a Windows 7 X86 installation image was used, but it is perfectly valid for Windows 7 X64.