Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Possible to boot to Windows on a USB Drive?

by Jul 30, 2011 12:42PM PDT

Can I install Windows 7-64 and Windows applications on a USB drive and boot directly to that drive with (or without) Boot Camp? I just got my first Apple, the new-design MacAir.

Discussion is locked

2 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
No, that will not work.
by Forum moderator Jul 30, 2011 11:06PM PDT

Boot Camp or Paralells/VM Fusion (or similar) are the only way to run Windows on a Mac.

- Collapse -
Specifically:
by sturner--2008 Aug 8, 2011 9:34AM PDT
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4818#7

7. If I have more than one hard drive, can I install Microsoft Windows on any drive?

You can use Boot Camp to install Windows on any internal hard drive, but not on an external hard drive.
Back to Mac Hardware forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info