Windows 7 Enterprise Upgrade to 10 on an external USB Western Digital hd fail

Joined
Sep 18, 2015
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
I want to install Windows 7 Enterprise 7 to my USB external hd Western Digital Passport, however I got a message tharWin 7 does not know how to install to USB hard drives. So instead of upgrading I tried a clean install of 10 Enterprise, however it did not give me an option for where to install and tried to install to C:\ (running 10 Home on C drive.). Is there a workaround the usb install of Win 7? I'm dual booting this same scenario on my desktop no problems. The desktop has 2 internal drives. The laptop has the external drive. Any help is appreciated. Or I install Enterprise to C and put home on external one. :(
Thanks!
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Messages
101
Reaction score
16
Since it is an upgrade it needs to be installed on the w7 C drive. I don't know of any windows version that can be installed on a USB drive such as Linux for example.
 

Trouble

Noob Whisperer
Moderator
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Messages
13,411
Reaction score
2,319
I don't know of any windows version that can be installed on a USB drive
Since Windows 8, the Enterprise version of the OS has supported a function called "Windows to Go" which allows you to install it on a USB drive similar to the way a Linux Live Distro works.
It was a bit restrictive, in that MS certified certain USB devices as being "Windows to Go" compatible, but subsequently I think there are a few published work arounds that can get you past this, as well as some that suggest that you can use any version of Windows 8 or later, not just Enterprise.
I wasn't aware that this feature / function was available in earlier Operating Systems.
REFERENCES:
https://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/HW-245T
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48127
http://www.howtogeek.com/196817/how...-go-usb-drive-without-the-enterprise-edition/
 
Joined
Sep 18, 2015
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Since it is an upgrade it needs to be installed on the w7 C drive. I don't know of any windows version that can be installed on a USB drive such as Linux for example.
That answer is more awful than my worst case scenario :/ Thank you, you have been very helpful even if it was not the answer I wanted :)
 
Joined
Sep 18, 2015
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Since Windows 8, the Enterprise version of the OS has supported a function called "Windows to Go" which allows you to install it on a USB drive similar to the way a Linux Live Distro works.
It was a bit restrictive, in that MS certified certain USB devices as being "Windows to Go" compatible, but subsequently I think there are a few published work arounds that can get you past this, as well as some that suggest that you can use any version of Windows 8 or later, not just Enterprise.
I wasn't aware that this feature / function was available in earlier Operating Systems.
REFERENCES:
https://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/HW-245T
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48127
http://www.howtogeek.com/196817/how...-go-usb-drive-without-the-enterprise-edition/
Thank you. :) I had already considered the Windows to go and it will not do what I wanted to do with my computers. I do appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.
 
Joined
Sep 18, 2015
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Since it is an upgrade it needs to be installed on the w7 C drive. I don't know of any windows version that can be installed on a USB drive such as Linux for example.
I am not sure I posted my reply to you in the correct place...I will figure out the forum please be patient with me you guys :)
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Messages
101
Reaction score
16
I am not sure I posted my reply to you in the correct place...I will figure out the forum please be patient with me you guys :)
The post is in the right place Shellie and I'm sorry "Win to go" won't work for you.
Trouble, thanks for the knowledge. I may fool around with it when time permits but have no need for it other than to learn about it and perhaps help someone else someday.
 
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
2,334
Reaction score
358
The below was copied from a thread Trouble linked earlier concerning problems encountered when upgrading to Win 10. You said you did not want to use Windows to Go but perhaps any non-standard install would cause such problems when trying to upgrade.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...p-errors/324d5a5f-d658-456c-bb82-b1201f735683

Common blockers that can prevent Windows 10 setup from working:

• Processors (which check for these features: NX, Prefetch, LAHF/SAHF, SSE2, and CompareExchange128)

• Not compatible BIOS

• HDD controllers

• Availability of a NIC card

• Boot from VHD

• Boot from Windows to Go

• User is running in Audit mode

• The host build is a staged build

• User is running an unstaged build
 
Joined
Sep 18, 2015
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
The below was copied from a thread Trouble linked earlier concerning problems encountered when upgrading to Win 10. You said you did not want to use Windows to Go but perhaps any non-standard install would cause such problems when trying to upgrade.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...p-errors/324d5a5f-d658-456c-bb82-b1201f735683
Thank you. Sorry its taken me so long to reply. Registry items became corrupted, m image backup evidently did not image itself correctly so I had to reset pc and I'm just now getting back online. Wow there is a lot to read at the link you posted. If I there is anything there that will work I will let you know. Either way i will I should have said. Gonna take me a while to read all of it but I will learn some stuff for sure :)
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top