Run macOS Sierra & Win 10 on external SSD same time

[rikscha]

Hi,

I managed to install a boot camp partition on an external SSD with Win 10 Pro. Great solution, I could plug this into any Mac and use Windows when required.

When I then tried to install Mac on its own partition on the same external drive, I obviously failed to do so. The Mac requires to have GUID partition scheme in place which the drive then doesn't have as it had been set up to run Windows.

I then tried it the other way around, installing Mac on the drive first, run this externally and then run the Boot Camp Assistant. This doesn't work either as the assistant insist on installing Boot Camp on the internal drive although it shouldn't make a difference to the Mac as the external drive now becomes the primary startup disk for the Mac.

Since you can do this internally, isn't there a way to have this set up on an external drive?

Thanks.

 

[rikscha]

No one ever thought about this?

Just to add to my first post. I am travelling around to different places quite a lot using my work MacBook Air or other Macs available on-site.

It would be great if I could just plug-in my external SSD and use my personal Mac installation from home when I am not working or use Windows when I need it for personal or work related things.

I am even thinking now to sell my Mac at home and simply use an SSD connected to my work Mac to replace my machine at home. There is no point having two machines basically. I do require a portable Windows Boot Camp installation though and was hoping I could have both systems on the same drive.

Thanks again.

 

[flyinmac]

No one ever thought about this?

Just to add to my first post. I am travelling around to different places quite a lot using my work MacBook Air or other Macs available on-site.

It would be great if I could just plug-in my external SSD and use my personal Mac installation from home when I am not working or use Windows when I need it for personal or work related things.

I am even thinking now to sell my Mac at home and simply use an SSD connected to my work Mac to replace my machine at home. There is no point having two machines basically. I do require a portable Windows Boot Camp installation though and was hoping I could have both systems on the same drive.

Thanks again.

While MacOS will run on any Mac compatible with that version, Windows will deactivate itself if you try to run the same copy of Windows on more than one machine.

If you want a portable version of Windows, google for "Windows To Go". That is a bootable USB stick version of Windows that can run on multiple machines.

As for Macs, it is generally required to run Windows on the Macs internal hard drive. And that's Apple.

 

[rikscha]

While MacOS will run on any Mac compatible with that version, Windows will deactivate itself if you try to run the same copy of Windows on more than one machine.

If you want a portable version of Windows, google for "Windows To Go". That is a bootable USB stick version of Windows that can run on multiple machines.

As for Macs, it is generally required to run Windows on the Macs internal hard drive. And that's Apple.

Thanks for your help. I will look into the suggested USB stick solution.

At first I was thinking of creating an internal boot camp partition and move it to an external drive using a clone software but I don't think I have to go down this route anymore.

 

[flyinmac]

Thanks for your help. I will look into the suggested USB stick solution.

At first I was thinking of creating an internal boot camp partition and move it to an external drive using a clone software but I don't think I have to go down this route anymore.

You're welcome. Hope it works for you.

 

[rikscha]

You're welcome. Hope it works for you.

It didn't work unfortunately.

Windows to Go is an enterprise only function and I'm using windows pro.

I then found a tool called WintoUSB which does exactly the same thing and it looked like it worked but then failed. The installation starts but then fails right after choosing the 'express setting' option.

An error comes up saying I need to run the installation again.

Perhaps Windows to Go is not working with Macs? Thanks again.

 

[flyinmac]

It didn't work unfortunately.

Windows to Go is an enterprise only function and I'm using windows pro.

I then found a tool called WintoUSB which does exactly the same thing and it looked like it worked but then failed. The installation starts but then fails right after choosing the 'express setting' option.

An error comes up saying I need to run the installation again.

Perhaps Windows to Go is not working with Macs? Thanks again.

Might need to get the drivers into your USB boot drive.

Take a look here for a few pointers

http://www.morepackets.com/blog/2012/12/2/windows-to-go-running-on-a-macbook-air-mid-2012.html

Note that I haven't personally tried it on a Mac.

 

[rikscha]

Might need to get the drivers into your USB boot drive.

Take a look here for a few pointers

http://www.morepackets.com/blog/2012/12/2/windows-to-go-running-on-a-macbook-air-mid-2012.html

Note that I haven't personally tried it on a Mac.

Thanks, I'll try that and see if that works.
I had a feeling that it was a driver issue
[doublepost=1486588031][/doublepost]

Thanks, I'll try that and see if that works.
I had a feeling that it was a driver issue

I now hopefully successfully injected the Boot Camp Drivers into the USB stick using the DISM function.

I will try to boot the stick now and let you know.
[doublepost=1486588562][/doublepost]

Thanks, I'll try that and see if that works.
I had a feeling that it was a driver issue
[doublepost=1486588031][/doublepost]

I now hopefully successfully injected the Boot Camp Drivers into the USB stick using the DISM function.

I will try to boot the stick now and let you know.

It loads now longer than before but then same error comes up. What a shame!

 

[flyinmac]

Sounds like some progress.

I'm sure there's a tweak somewhere. Just gotta find the hidden trick.

Macs do take a little coaxing when you try things that Apple either didn't think about, or that they thought to block.

 

[rikscha]

Thanks, I'll try that and see if that works.
I had a feeling that it was a driver issue
[doublepost=1486588031][/doublepost]

I now hopefully successfully injected the Boot Camp Drivers into the USB stick using the DISM function.

I will try to boot the stick now and let you know.
[doublepost=1486588562][/doublepost]

It loads now longer than before but then same error comes up. What a shame!

So found another solution and did this:

"When prompted with error unable to complete installation:

Hit SHIFT-F10 to bring up command prompt.

type MMC

Click File -> Add/Remove Snap-in... (Or CTRL+M)

Select Computer Management (Double click and Finish on Local Computer)

Click OK

Double click Computer Management (Local) -> System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Users -> Double Click Administrator -> Uncheck Account is disabled -> OK

Now right click Administrator -> Set Password... -> Set a decent password to get started.
Now, restart. Should be good to go."


I then get pass the error at the beginning but it will then eventually have a problem logging me into the user. I am giving up at this point.
There are other things that I could try but I don't think it will work. Too much hassle, especially if I have to do this again at some point. Not sure why you can't install Windows simply on a USB stick - you can easily do it on an external hard drive.

Thanks for your help again.

 

[flyinmac]

I'm curious if the experiment would be easier on a PC. The obstacle may be the Mac.

But yes, it may be more trouble than it's worth for your use.