The preparation process will format the entire drive , erasing all existing data. Back up any important files before proceeding.
As the computer turns on, repeatedly tap the BIOS/UEFI key. This is usually F2, F12, Del, or Esc. Navigate to the Boot tab using your keyboard.
You install Windows normally, choosing the internal drive (or even another external drive if you want a portable Windows). The external installation drive stays untouched unless you deliberately format it.
The disk image for Windows 10 or 11, which can be obtained via the Microsoft Download Center . install windows from external hard drive
An external HDD or SSD with at least 8 GB of free space.
Locate your external hard drive in the list of available drives. Click Next to begin the download and formatting process.
Follow the remaining prompts to set up your user account and privacy settings. Troubleshooting Common Issues The preparation process will format the entire drive
If your computer fails to recognize the external drive, check the partition style. Modern computers use GPT (GUID Partition Table) for UEFI boot, while older machines use MBR (Master Boot Record). If the Media Creation Tool fails, you can use a third-party utility like Rufus to manually burn an ISO file to the drive, which allows you to toggle between GPT and MBR settings. Additionally, ensure that Secure Boot is temporarily disabled in your BIOS settings if the drive is not appearing as a boot option.
Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
You plug the external drive into the target computer, restart, and enter the boot menu (usually F12, ESC, or F2). You select “USB Hard Drive” or the external drive’s name. The computer boots straight into the blue Windows Setup screen — just as if you were using a USB flash drive. This is usually F2, F12, Del, or Esc
Once the tool is running, you need to direct it to your external drive.
Once the Windows logo appears on the screen, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup. Choose your language and keyboard layout.