Mid-2011 iMac booting Windows from external USB2 HD

[vkd]

Kingpins, I have searched the site, searched the Forums, searched the internet but cannot find a solution, I haven't lost hope yet, but YOU are my last hope! If anyone with experience can say for sure whether my particular combination works or not, I appreciate it.

Mid-2011 iMac 27"
64bit Windows 7 or above
Samsung USB2 External 1TB HD

 

[presenta]

I have not tested your exact environment, but working from USB 2 device is possible, although the speed you will get may not be practical (especially for Windows). If you boot Linux (i.e. Ubuntu 8.0.4) and may be OS X (i.e. Snow Leopard), then you may not notice huge difference in speed. Of course, a bootable SSD in USB 3 case is even faster than the internal HDD (tested with El Capitan). Unfortunately, your iMac supports USB 2 only, but you may try a Firewire 800 case.

The problem with Windows is that they don't support installing it on external USB drive (except for Windows To Go enterprise feature in Windows 8). However, there is a paid WinToUSB app that may help you achieve what you want.

 

[vkd]

I have not tested your exact environment, but working from USB 2 device is possible, although the speed you will get may not be practical (especially for Windows). If you boot Linux (i.e. Ubuntu 8.0.4) and may be OS X (i.e. Snow Leopard), then you may not notice huge difference in speed. Of course, a bootable SSD in USB 3 case is even faster than the internal HDD (tested with El Capitan). Unfortunately, your iMac supports USB 2 only, but you may try a Firewire 800 case.

The problem with Windows is that they doesn't support installing it on external USB drive (except for Windows To Go enterprise feature in Windows 8). However, there is a paid WinToUSB app that may help you achieve what you want.

Thanks for your reply. I did manage to get Windows 10 working without too much difficulty but unfortunately it is not supported on 2011 iMacs, which may go some way to explaining why I could not get the sound to work. It seemed quite snappy though, all being said. I even managed to install Rise Of The Tomb Raider and get that working but again, without sound its a non-starter.

Windows 8.1 seemed to install OK, quicker too as it is most likely a bit smaller than W10 but even after various tweaked attempts could not overcome the annoyance of the new unique user account created having some bug in it that prevented it from being opened. End result: a waste of time as cannot even log in. Could not enter Safe Mode to fix it either.