Macbook Tip: How to Install and Run Windows on an external USB Drive - Windows To Go

Prerequisites:
- Windows PC (virtualized PC might work too)

- USB Flash drive & adapters if needed

Other drives that are known to work in my testing:

See how it performs vs. a Windows laptop:

What happens if you unplug the SSD? See here:

VIDEO INDEX:
00:02 - Introduction
00:53 - Alternative to this method (Bootcamp / Virtualization)
02:24 - Prerequisites
04:41 - Windows 10 ISO download instructions
06:01 - Downloading Mac drivers for Windows from Apple
07:46 - Using Rufus to create the Windows To Go installation
10:42 - Copying Windows drivers to the SSD
11:26 - Prepping the Mac to boot Windows
12:09 - How to direct the Mac to boot from external drive
13:37 - Finishing the Windows installation on the Mac
14:10 - Licensing and activation
14:51 - Installing Windows drivers
17:24 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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[shelliarini]

I have tried this on Sandisk USB 128GB USB 3.0 to Macbook Air, and it works well. There are some warnings while running on rufus that the windows may freeze or something, but i jusk click ok to all. Till now there's no windows freeze and no error at all even installing big softwares. Thank You !

[josephmicali]

Catalina users or for people running a newer MBP with the Apple T2 Security Chip you will need to go into the Startup Utility in order to allow booting from an external drive.

1. Hold down Command-R
2. Click on your Account, you will then be prompted for your password.
3. On the top bar you will are Utilities select Startup Security Utility
4. Select No Security & Allow booting from external media

Hope it helps mitigate some frustration!!

Great video, easy to follow and works to perfection.

[ayoadebiyi]

Thanks, I had a few troubles but figured it out. If you're doing this in 2019, you need to change the scheme from GPT to MBR. The updated Rufus automatically sets it to GUI.

[shawndopwell]

This method still works perfectly in Sept of 2020... Worked on a 500gb 2.5 hard drive using a SATA USB cable and also using a USB external SSD.... Excellent Video!!!

[giotronics]

man I'm pretty addicted with this channel I've been watching the videos for an hour now

[duanmcinnes]

WORKS WITH 2TB HDD CONNECTED VIA USB 3: Writing this from my newly set up Win10 run from an old 2TB HDD connected with USB 3 w/USB C connector to my new MacBook Pro Touch Bar!!! Works perfectly and now have 2TB of Win10 at my disposal! Best way to run Windows on MacBook hands down. I am running all software including gaming ie BF3 & 4, Medal of Honor!! Thumbs up for this vid, has made life easy. Cheers

[thespector]

I just wanted to comment that I like how Google auto-generated subtitles have almost not rouble with understanding what you say. makes it easier for me to watch your videos when I forget my headphones in a library:p

[QuicksandDan]

This needs to get bumped to the top of the results when searching for this. I tried 2 other processes, both failures. This worked perfectly. Thank God for Rufus.

[shawnyboy]

After a week of several different trials this worked thank you so much!!!

[visheshchauhan]

this is 2021, yes I survived 2020, and this video answered so much more than what I searched on google and blogs and what not. Superbly put together. Thank you.

[joerigillissen]

Dang this video is well put together. This is EXACTLY what i was looking for! Thanks man!

[josephbelfiore]

You sir are a gentleman! First video in 3 days that actually worked. Used a Samsung 64G thumb drive and it runs smooth. My MacBook Air did NOT lose keyboard and trackpad functionality during install.

[jockosboy]

This video was strangely jagged for 1080p. Just an FYI. Great video as always.

[liamdullard]

Great tutorial and for those wondering you can partition the drive afterwards to exfat so you can still use the drive as storage for both Mac and Windows. I did it through Windows and works fine. Thanks Lon

[peytonlutz]

I used a USB 2.0 drive @ 9 MBPS
I regret life..

[demsteveseinsohn]

I used a Kingston 240GB SSD.My System : Mac Mini 2018 / i5 . I followed your instructions and it works perfect. Thank you so much Dude ! Greetings from Germany.

[Multicrafts]

“I only have 500+ GB on my Mac...” well I’ll go with my powerful 128 GB 😬

[lmnvl]

fanastic video, it helped me a lot, the only issue is that you to have to use windows 10 built 1803, it won't work with built 1809, when you choose to download the ISO, select the correct one.

[mendozajonathon]

This worked perfectly! Thank you so much!

[tomm-w]

Thanks, worked perfectly!

MacBook Air 2013, Mojave
SanDisk Extreme SSD
Windows May 2019 Update

A small tip: you don't need a second drive to transfer the setup files, just use the SSD and move them to the windows computer's HD!