Boot Windows 7 from USB 3.0 flash memory ?

[BYourLord]

Hi,

I'm going to buy the new MBA 13" 128Gb but as you know, 128Gb is not enough if we want to install lot of stuff. I probably want to install W7 on it, but bootcamp will use about 30Go ( 25% of total capacity ).

My question is: Can I install Windows on my Usb 3.0 flash memory ( Patriot Rage XT ) as it has great performances, and run it directly from the usb memory without using internal ssd ?


Thanks ( and sorry for my bad english i'm french )

 

[Mikewh]

windows 7 will not install on USB media to run directly from media. your best bet is thunderbolt media

 

[BYourLord]

Thanks,

Ok but if a make a very small partition for windows ( about 20gb ) can I install all apps/games in my USB 3.0 Flash drive ?

20Gb is enough for my case or not ? Because I don't want install anything on this partition all stuff will be installed on my flash memory.

 

[tdar]

Thanks,

Ok but if a make a very small partition for windows ( about 20gb ) can I install all apps/games in my USB 3.0 Flash drive ?

20Gb is enough for my case or not ? Because I don't want install anything on this partition all stuff will be installed on my flash memory.

That should work. Due to Apple not supporting the full EFI boot standard you can not boot a windows install from a USB device. But after windows is running, it would see a USB device as a drive so Apps could be loaded there IF the performance is high enough. As you have USB 3, I would think that would be OK. As noted a Thunderbolt HD would be the best way.