SDXC Boot Windows 8.1 on rMBP 13, late 2015

[murdock1234]

Hi,

I got my new Retina Macbook Pro 13, but with only 128 GB SSD. So I decided to put Windows 8.1 on a 64 GB SDXC card (PNY StorEdge) . I don't need Windows very often, so the speed is ok for me.

The thing is, to have a full working Windows 8.1 to go, you need to format the SDXC Card using NTFS. But then the rMBP doesn't see the SDXC Card as a boot device (pressing ALT during boot).

Only if I format the SDXC Card with exfat or FAT32, then I can see the SDXC card during boot. The problem is, that Windows 8.1 does not install correctly or does not boot from FAT32 or exfat.

If I insert the SDXC card (using VHD and NTFS), I can boot Windows 8.1 on my DELL notebook without any issue, so the card is fine.

How can I tell my rMBP to boot from an external NTFS drive?

Thanks!

 

[simon lefisch]

Download VirtualBox (it's free) and install Windows as a VM, then move the Windows file to an external drive. That way you save space on your internal SSD. Just make sure to have your external plugged in before running VB.

 

[murdock1234]

Download VirtualBox (it's free) and install Windows as a VM, then move the Windows file to an external drive. That way you save space on your internal SSD. Just make sure to have your external plugged in before running VB.

I know, I have VMWare Fusion. But I like to use it the other way ;-)

Is this possible or not?

 

[mlts22]

I have read that it is possible, but you will need to jump through a number of hoops to get it working. Then the fun begins of activating that instance of Windows.

I can see where it is useful though. Some multiplayer games will permaban you if they sense they are running in a VM.

 

[murdock1234]

Do you have any links? I would like check it

Thanks