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Question

Installing programs on an external SSD Drive

Mar 26, 2016 5:12PM PDT

I used to store all my programs in my internal SSD Drive. I have purchased a Samsung portable external SSD drive which plugs into a USB 3.0 port. Can I install programs on this drive also?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
In Windows? No.
Mar 26, 2016 6:05PM PDT

There are long old discussions about this. Watch for install options during install but remember that some apps like Office still place files on the C drive. And all apps drop registry entries on C so no one installs entirely on the externals.

Again, watch for the drive option when installing and change it when you can.

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Answer
something to consider
Mar 26, 2016 6:14PM PDT

the possible issue is a biggie...depending on what other usb devices you have, the drive may not keep the same drive letter. when that happens it will break your programs.

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Answer
Re: install programs on external drive
Mar 27, 2016 4:28AM PDT

Yes, you can if the installer let's you do it, but only the truely "portable" programs will be able to run on another PC. So there is no clear advantage except that it doesn't use disk space on your internal disk.

Kees