Windows on an External H.Drive

Is it possible (with the MacBook) to install windows on an external hard drive instead of to the internal one???

WARNING!!!!!!!
Some Windows XP Boot Camp Partitions CRASH after running VMware Fusion Beta Version 1.0 (50460)
DON'T RUN FUSION ON YOUR Boot Camp Partition until they fix this problem.
Here is what has happened to me...
After downloading and running Fusion I ran the preprocessing on my Windows XP Boot Camp partition. Now when I try to run the Boot camp partition either directly or via Fusion I get the following message....
"We apologize for the inconvenience but…
Safe Mode….
Start Windows Normally….
No matter what I do this screen recycles again and again. Same thing happens if I try to boot from the Windows XP CD. Once the boot cycle starts Windows seems to lose where the partition is!
By the way, I can only use my keyboard to select any one of the modes (Safe, Last, Normal) while in Fusion. The keyboard is no longer recognized when trying to boot directly to the Boot Camp Partition or using the Windows XP installation CD.
Regardless all options recycle to the same screen in an infinite loop.

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I had all photos on a Windows desktop. Got a mac laptop, installed LR5, and put all images from Windows onto an external hard drive. When I go to import them into LR on the Mac, they are all locked. Help, please. Thanks

I had all photos on a Windows desktop. Got a mac laptop, installed LR5, and put all images from Windows onto an external hard drive. When I go to import them into LR on the mac, they are all locked. Help, please!

"I plugged the external into the Mac and moved a folder of images onto the desktop. It looks like it went from read only to not locked. Is this possible?"
Yes, that's exactly what happened. If you buy another drive, you could copy from your existing drive to the new and your files will be read/write. The new drive will have to be formatted as an HFS drive (that's the Mac's format). If you need to format it, you use Disk Utility which is in the Utilities folder on your Mac. Be careful with that -- it wipes out whatever is currently on the drive. Make sure you format the right drive.
I keep all my images on an external drive, too. In fact, I have two matching drives and sync them so I always have a backup.

How to run windows from an external usb drive

Hi,
I've just install windows using bootcamp. after that i restore that windows installed bootcamp volume to an GUID partitioned external HDD. Now it is shown in startup disc, but when i select that (external HDD) volume it is unable to start.
I don't know what to do? I just want to run windows from an external usb drive like i can run mac osx.
please help. thanks

Windows will not run from an external drive.

Run windows 7 on external hard drive?

I'm purchasing a MAC mini to replace my G4 and PC. I would like to have Windows available for several applications (mainly for the kids) and am wondering if I could install windows on an external hard drive and run it through the Mini. I really don't want to partition the Mini's HD for both OS as I prefer to stay as far away from windows as possible. Thanks.

It all depends on the PC motherboard and BIOS, I don't even think MS has done anything draconian or such, and it is possible and actually easy, with the right X58 say motherboards (most). My Intel DX58SO I used to install via built in eSATA.
There is nothing wrong with or reason to fear Windows, but if kids want to play games, a VM isn't going to cut it. Buy a cheap mini just for Windows, or a PC, or run OS X off external drive and use the internal for Windows only.
Windows 7 + MS Security Essentials is solid and best yet and as easy to use and not all that different than Mac OS (and maybe has had more testing even). Hopefully computers can be seen for what they are, used as tools, objectively.

How do I move a partition on my mac hard drive, to an external hard drive so that i can run windows when the external hard drive is connected

How do I move a partition on my mac hard drive, to an external hard drive so that i can run windows when the external hard drive is connected

Are you talking about a Bootcamp partition? You can't boot Windows from an external drive.

Windows on an external hard drive

Does anone know how I can install and run Windows from an external hard drive? I use only a couple Windows applications and want to clutter my MacBook internal hard drive.
Thanks in advance, Ron

Hi RKD56;
There is no supported way of doing that.
Since your needs for Windows sound very limited, I would suggest that you check out Crossover. It is capable of executing Windows application from OS X. They do have a demo version so that you can test your application with Crossover.
Allan

Windows 8.1 external hard drive disconnecting

Have this problem on two late 2012 MacBook Pro with Retina (full spec) and late 2013 MacBook Pro with Retina (also full spec), all now running Windows 8.1 Pro with the latest update.   Two machines were clean installs into new bootcamp partitions and one was an in-place update to an existing Windows 8.0 Pro install.
Issue Description
Updated bootcamp from Windows 8.0 Pro to Windows 8.1 Pro through the MS store last night.    Made sure to download the new, correct Bootcamp drivers for the 2012 Macbook (the drivers are different between the 2012 and 2013 models).
External USB drives now disconnect every 10-15 minutes.
I am using the High Performance power plan and in USB settings disabled USB selective suspend.   In Device Manager under USB Serial Bus Controllers double-clicked all USB root hubs and cleared the checkbox on the Power Management tab (so the computer is not allowed to turn off the device to save power).
Also tried removing the Quick Removal policy on the attached drive but Windows still disconnected the drive, even though a Windows Explorer window was open showing the root contents of the idle drive.
Contacted MS support and they won't support Windows on a bootcamp partition.
Out of ideas based on internet searching, sounds like it might be a driver issue in Bootcamp.
Installing KeepAliveHD from Codeplex to write a file to the external drives as a workround to the problem.

The issue appears to have been the StarTech USB 3.0 to 2." SATA enclosure with encryption.   (I say "appears" because anybody familiar with Murphy's Law knows that these drives will eventually disconnect once I click <Add Reply> to this thread. <g>)
The WD 4TB MyBook drives stayed connected for the entire weekend without issues.   A bare metal Samsung 840PRO SSD connected with a USB 3.0 to SATA 6G cable also had no problems.
To fix the problem I had to lookup the hardware ID of the device in Device Manager (the VID and the PID) and then create a new key under USBSTOR under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control.   For the new key I added a new 32-bit DWORD with a value of 400 (hex).   Disconnected and reconnected the drive and it hasn't disconnected since. Solution worked on all MBPr machines.
Interestingly there is a blog on MSDN that suggests the above-noted fix should not be required subsequent to a Windows update that was pushed on April 8, 2014 (all of our machines were fully-up-to date as of last Friday April 25, 2014 and they did need the fix).
The required registry key for the above-noted device enclosure (mfg PN S2510BU3PW) is 04C52028.

How do I install and BOOT Windows 7 on External Hard Drive?

Please please please help! I've been browsing the net for 2 days straight and can't find a decent answer.
I've partitioned my external hard drive (Western Digital Passport) using Disk Utility.
I have 4 paritions in total; 2 intended for Mac and 2 intended for Windows.
I used a GUID partition table for all 4 as displayed on the below picture.
Although I should note that when my external hard disk is booted in Windows it says that it uses Master Boot Record, please see picture 2 below.
I formatted the Mac Partitions to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and the Windows Partitions to ExFat.
The Macs work beautifully; having successfully installed and booted Snow Leopard on them, and then backed up my 2 internal Mac Drives to them.
However, the Windows ones are a complete nightmare and I have no idea how to installl Windows 7 and then use them from there.
Can anyone offer a solution? I've heard so many conflicting ideas about this that it's made me dizzy just reading it all.
Thanks!

Yeah, I use Windows on bootcamp for both my Imac and my Macbook Pro.
In fact, seeing as my Mac partition on my external hard drive was successful i.e. I installed and can boot from them any time I like, couldn't I just use the external hard drive's partitions' bootcamp assistant and install/boot windows on there?

Installing Windows from an external optical drive?

My superdrive recently died, and I replaced it with an external drive that's been able to read and burn everything I need it to without a problem, including using it to install Snow Leopard.
I tried to use it to install Windows (Vista Home Premium, if that matters) with Boot Camp, but when it comes to starting the actual installation, the computer doesn't seem to see the drive at all. It will start up, with the chime and the grey startup screen, but that's as far as it gets. It will stay on that screen until I restart it and go back into the Mac partition by pressing option at startup.
Is there a way to make it boot to the Windows disc in the external drive? Failing that, is there a way to use Boot Camp successfully with a non-disk source, like an external hard drive or flash drive with the Windows data on it? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

The Hatter:
Thanks for your reply. My purpose is temporary and to document the process of installing Windows in to a Boot Camp partition on a system that does not have an internal Optical drive.
I did this succesfully using bits of information from three documents. I want to go through the process again, this time documenting my steps for the benefit of others and me in the future. You may or maynot know, installing Windows with Boot Camp without an INTERNAL optical drive is difficult and require a hack using Parallels, copying the VM MBR, etc.
I should have documented it the first time but I doubted if it would work.
So, I want a second BC partition, on my second internal drive without touching my working BC patrition on the SSD.
Make more sense?
Thanks,
Kevin

Bonjour - Connect Windows 7 to external hard drive on Airport Extreme

I have to use a laptop with windows 7 for work and I want to back up to a hard drive that is connected to my airport extreme station. I downloaded the bonjour print services and I had the printer set up in a minute. I can't figure out how to connect to the external hard drives that are connected to the airport extreme station though?! Obviously bonjour print services is only helping you with the printer. I couldn't install an earlier version of bonjour for windows because of the bonjour print service installation.
Any ideas how I can connect to those external hard drives? Thanks!

Thank you. I probably should have figured that out myself, but this did the trick. I am also connecting a new hard drive to my airport extreme. The mac and pc don't see the drive because of the NTFS format. This hard drive will be used for PC business related files only, but I still want to access it using my wireless network. Paragon is supposed to do the trick. I am just wondering if paragon makes the harddrive useable for both, the pc and the mac.

Can't install windows 7 from external dvd drive

Hi,
I have a Late 2006 Macbook (I think). I am trying to install Windows 7 on it. The partitioning goes well. My Main issue is that my DVD drive is Busted. Whenever i try to install Windows 7 Ultimate 64 but from my Samsung External DVDRW Drive, The apple logo starts to flash with a Cross going through it. Are there any methods and solutions to install windows 7 on it?
I have also tried using rEFIt but when booting from a USB, it gives a whole list of Errors.
Plese Help Me
Thank you

HOLD ON GUYS THE PROBLEME IS MINOR AND THE SOLUTION SIMPLE, THE G585 WIN8 IS NOT THAT BAD AFTER U READ THIS OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE LENOVO SUPPORT LINK BELOW AND APPLY THE FIX..
I had the same problem with my new G585, I couldn't get any windows 8 upgrades done by undoing and reversing to pre-upgrade state right after reboot which made my system unstable and very slow to use and windows8 very buggy, it was very frustrating but I didn't give up and kept trying to upgrade with no success to the point I started to think that either something was wrong with my unit even though I had it for less than 2 weeks since I bought it from best buy or Lenovo effed up this time with this sluggish configuration and that I have to add RAM and see if its any better b4 returning it to them for servicing.. well IT TURNS OUT YES LENO EFFED UP BUT NOT WITH THE CONFIGURATION BUT WITH SOME BLOATWEAR CALLED NITRO PDF THAT WILL NOT LET U UPGRADE WINDOWS8 AND SPESIFECLY THE UPGRADE PART OF NITRO PDF FROM TRIAL VERSION TO FULL VERSION CALLED NITRO PDF PRO 7 OR SOME SH** LIKE THAT, THE GOOD PART IS NITRO IS OFFERING A DOWNLOAD FIX U CAN DO WHEN YOU USE THE BLOATHWEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME OR BETTER YET BY DELETING THAT APP AFTER THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO UPGRADE YOUR WINDOWS8 OS AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED BY HOW MANY UPGRADES YOU WILL GO THRU BUT YOUR SYSTEME WILL START RUNNING FASTER AND SMOOTHER FROM THE FEW FIRST UPGRADE. LET ME KNOW HOW IT TURNS OUT WITH YOU.
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-8/Microsoft-Windows-8-Updates-may-fail-to-apply/td-p/926945

Windows based WD external hard drive not showing up in Disk Utility to reformat to Mac... how can I erase the drive

We have a WD external harddrive previously used with a PC that we want to completely erase and reformat for use with our iMac desktop for use with Time Machine. The drive shows up on the desktop of the Mac, but it does not show up in Disk Utlity, assuming because it's Windows format. Outside of the standard "erase" feature in Disk Utility, is there any way to reformat this drive for Mac OS X? Or how can I get this drive to show up in Disk Utility? Note: The drive functions properly, has power, and we are able to view its current contents through the desktop icon, so it is a working drive. And we are ok with losing all the current data on the drive.

Hmm strange, I had just moved my external Lacie drive from my windows machine to my iMac and it was showing up in disk utility still formatted fat32 or whatever. I would disconnect the drive and restart the machine then replug the drive and try again.
Also not that it will make a difference ( I dont think it will but hey why not ) try accessing disk utility from the install disk?

How can I install window 8 on external hard drive on mac mini

So, I have mac mini and I'd like to install win8 on external hard drive and can anyone give me guides to do it?
also I wonder would I be able to run win 8 after installation using parallels desktop?
thanks in advance

I have to agree that Windows8 is a waste of time, especially if you don't have a touch screen and compatible apps.
However, the latest version of Parallels supports running Windows8, Parallels can either run Windows from a 'virtual disk' file which can be stored wherever you want including on an external drive, or it can also be configured to run Windows from a Boot Camp partition created using Apple's Boot Camp Utility.
See http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v7/update2/docs/en/Parallels%20Desktop%20U ser's%20Guide/32733.htm
In order to run Boot Camp from an external drive and therefore be able to setup the Boot Camp partition on the external drive you first have to install and run OS X on the external drive. Then the Boot Camp utility will let you add the Boot Camp partition on the external drive. You cannot run OS X and the Boot Camp utility from an internal drive and try adding the Boot Camp partition to the external drive. The Boot Camp Utility only lets you add the partition on the same physical drive it is running from.
Personally I have legal XP and Windows7 licenses (currently using Windows7) and even if the Windows8 upgrade was totally free of charge I would not bother with it. I would also not bother with it at work as an IT Manager.

Windows 7 Backup & external hard drives

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.
Seagate 2TB Expansion Desk HDD.
Running Windows Backup, receive an error code of 0x8078002A.
Checked services.msc, and confirmed Volume Shadow Copy is running and set to automatic.
Why won't Windows 7 Backup work with external hard drives?
Isn't that the whole point of keeping an external hard drive?

Hi,
This is a common issue with Advanced Format Disks that have a 4KB physical sector size, which may cause incompatibility issues with existing software (including operating systems and applications).
Please install this hotfix below:
An update that improves the compatibility of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with Advanced Format Disks is available
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018/en-us
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected]

Installing Windows 7 from external DVD drive

I removed the internal DVD drive and replaced it with an OCW SSD on my 15" MBP. I used Disk Utility to format it to MS-DOS(FAT). I bought Windows 7 and downloaded the .iso file from the website. I used Disk Utility to burn the .iso image onto the disk. Since BootCamp won't recognize my external DVD drive I installed rEFIt, so after I restarted twice it came up with a prompt to boot from Windows install CD. I click the the icon, the screen goes black, and then the DVD drive stops spooling and I have to hold the power button down to restart it normally. What way is there to install WIndows 7 from an external DVD drive?

Maybe use Winclone (Mac app)? Others here know more about using Winclone than I do.
I use Casper (Windows app) for cloning an internal Windows partition to an external drive, so a Casper restore would be just the opposite, but requires a CD drive which you are now lacking.

Windows on an External H.Drive

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