How to Install/Run Applications from an External Hard Drive

When your C drive is out of space, or you simply want to store some applications on an external device, Windows has got you covered. You can set up all new programs to be installed on an external device or a secondary internal drive using the built-in settings. Here's how to install/run Windows 10 Apps on an external hard drive or a second drive.

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Part 1. Move and Run Applications from an External Hard Drive

How do you转移已安装的应用程序到外部硬盘或第二驱动器而不出现任何问题？在这一部分之后，你将学习如何移动并从外部硬盘运行应用程序。

• Tools: An empty external hard drive, Windows Easy Transfer software, a健康的Windows PC with the software installed.
• Notice: Be aware of the storage capacity of your external hard drive and the total size of the target installed software and programs.

Todo PCTrans Tool, with its App Migration function, is highly reliable for both Windows beginners and tech-savvy users to efficiently transfer apps and programs in bulk to an external hard drive without encountering any boot problems. Simply download this tool and follow the guidance provided here for assistance:

Tip: You can perform a large-scale transfer of the executable application from a Windows machine to the external storage, unless the drive is incapable of holding the file(s).

First, move your apps to the external hard drive.

Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer. Launch the Todo PCTrans tool and select "App Migration > Start".

Step 2. Locate and select the apps (labeled as "Yes") that you wish to transfer. You can choose multiple apps.

Click the triangle icon and choose your external hard drive as the location to save the apps.

Step 3. Next, click "Transfer" to move your programs to an external hard drive.

< strong > Second, plug the external drive back into your computer. < /strong >

The application location has been modified. It is no longer located on the local disks of your computer. On the day you intend to use the application, ensure you have the drive with you and reconnect it.

Important: The transferred software can run only on your source PC from the external hard drive.

Third, get ready to run the application from the external drive.

1. Open Windows File Explorer and access the external storage device. 2. Double-click on the "application.exe" file. 3. You will notice the application starts preparing for installation. 4. Enjoy. You can now run the application from the external hard drive just as you would from the local hard disk.

If you find the suggested method useful for transferring installed Windows software to an external hard drive, please share it to assist more of your friends online with similar needs:

Part 2. Install Windows 10 Apps on an External or Second Drive

Connect your external hard drive to your PC. Follow the instructions below to install new programs on an external hard drive.

• Tools: An empty external hard drive, Windows settings, a healthy Windows PC with software installed.
• Notice: Be cautious when following these steps, especially for Windows beginners.

Step 1. Click on the Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon).

Step 2. Choose "System > Storage > Change where new content is saved."

Step 3. Use the "New apps will save to" dropdown menu to select your external drive.

Following this, restart your PC, and then download a new software to check if the application has been installed on the new external disk.

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Conclusion

That's everything you need to know about installing and running apps from an external hard drive. If you want to free up space and alter the installation location of your existing software, refer to Part 1. If you'd like to manually install applications on an external hard drive, consult Part 2.

For a comprehensive and reliable application transfer tool, you can always trust Todo PCTrans. It securely迁移您的程序到外部硬盘驱动器，甚至是第二个硬盘/SSD，而不会引起任何软件启动问题。

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Software on an External Hard Drive

Here, we also compile a list of popular topics related to this issue. If you're interested, explore further and find the answers here:

< strong >1. Is it possible to install software on an external hard drive? Yes, it is generally possible to install software on an external hard drive. However, the process might vary depending on the operating system you're using (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Some programs may not support being installed on external drives, but many do. Here's a brief overview: - **Windows:** You can create a portable application by installing it on the external drive, but not all apps support this. Alternatively, use tools like PortableApps.com to create portable versions of supported software. - **macOS:** Installing applications directly to an external hard drive is less common and might require modifying permissions or using a third-party tool. It's usually easier to keep the apps on the internal drive and store data on the external drive. - **Linux:** Linux distributions often allow installing software on external drives, but it might be more suitable for advanced users due to potential system configuration complexities. Keep in mind that running software from an external hard drive might be slower than from an internal one, and the drive must be connected whenever you want to use the software.

Yes, of course. You can download and install software on an external hard drive rather than on an internal hard drive. To accomplish this, you would need to:

1. First, connect the external hard drive to the PC. 2. Open Windows settings, and under the Storage section, select 'Change where new content is saved.' 3. Then, set the external hard drive as the save location and restart the PC.

< strong > 2. Can I run applications from an external hard drive on a Mac?

Of course, you can. Similar to changing the app installation location on a Windows PC, you'll need to configure your Mac to achieve this goal. Follow these steps:

Translate the following text into English: - Connect the external hard drive to your Mac and format it to APFS. - For installed programs: In Finder, open the Applications folder, locate the desired apps, and then drag and drop them onto your external hard drive. - For new software: When running the installation file, drag the application icons into the external disk on your Mac.

3. How do I install Windows 10 on an external hard drive?

To accomplish this, you'll have two approaches to attempt:

1. Prepare an external hard drive and create a Windows portable USB to make Windows bootable from the disk. 2. Use the Windows To Go feature to transfer the Windows ISO to an external hard drive.

For a detailed guide, please refer to this page: How to Install Windows 10 on External Hard Drive.