Can you do a fresh install of Win 7 on a USB3 portable hdd

geetrue · 11-27-12, 01:57 PM

I have a new computer, but no hdd yet ...

but I do have a year old USB 3 seagate 1.5 TB portable hdd
that I could transfer the contents to another old hdd and wipe it clean.

Can I then plug it in to the new computer with four USB 3 plug in's and install a fresh install of win 7?

Thanks

Gerald · 11-27-12, 02:01 PM

Thus, from an external hard drive, it should not be a problem, because it's all about the OS, and it may well be synonymous with a disc.Formatting before installation.

Herr-Berbunch · 11-27-12, 02:44 PM

Shouldn't be an issue. Just ensure it's always plugged in to same port. When you get your new drive use the built in Windows Easy Transfer.

Personally I'd be tempted to take the drive out the enclosure and use it internally then if you still want new drive ghost it - most manufacturers nowadays have a free program to shift stuff from one drive to another.

Edit - Don't forget to set the BIOS to boot from USB, a basic but easy potential mistake.

11-27-12, 01:57 PM	#1
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Can you do a fresh install of Win 7 on a USB3 portable hdd I have a new computer, but no hdd yet ... but I do have a year old USB 3 seagate 1.5 TB portable hdd that I could transfer the contents to another old hdd and wipe it clean. Can I then plug it in to the new computer with four USB 3 plug in's and install a fresh install of win 7? Thanks __________________

11-27-12, 02:01 PM	#2
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Thus, from an external hard drive, it should not be a problem, because it's all about the OS, and it may well be synonymous with a disc.Formatting before installation. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-27-12, 02:44 PM	#3
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Shouldn't be an issue. Just ensure it's always plugged in to same port. When you get your new drive use the built in Windows Easy Transfer. Personally I'd be tempted to take the drive out the enclosure and use it internally then if you still want new drive ghost it - most manufacturers nowadays have a free program to shift stuff from one drive to another. Edit - Don't forget to set the BIOS to boot from USB, a basic but easy potential mistake. __________________