How to Install Windows 10 on an External Hard Drive for Mac

It would be fantastic if we could enjoy the best of both macOS and Windows on a single system. This idea might seem like a pipe dream to some; others might even dismiss it as fake or doubt its feasibility. However, it's worth examining the possibility. If achievable, we could have the benefits of both Windows and MacBook on one computer. Each operating system has its own set of pros and cons, and both are highly popular among their respective user communities. Just picture the desire of a user who has just gotten a new MacBook but misses their old Windows system.

Can You Install Windows 10 on a Mac?

We've heard about installing various Linux distributions from within Windows, but the big question is, can we also install Windows 10 on a Mac? Technically, yes, we can install Windows 10 on a Mac. This article will delve into how we can accomplish this task.

There are two ways to achieve this. Firstly, you can use BootCamp Assistant to install Windows 10 on your Mac, allowing you to effortlessly switch between macOS and Windows. Secondly, you can have a portable version of Windows 10 installed via tools like OS2Go. In the following sections, we'll examine both of these options in detail.

How to install Windows 10 on a Mac?

Method 1: Create a Portable Windows USB Drive with OS2Go

Let's start with the simpler one. OS2Go tools is a portable option that lets you take your Windows 10 with you wherever you go. In this case, the system will be stored and installed on a USB drive, and it will, by default, utilize the peripherals connected to the host system. This could probably be the most suitable solution when your system is affected by a boot failure. Most importantly, this is the easiest method for novice users.

Key Features of OS2Go: 主要特点 of OS2Go:

• Enables access to Windows 10 from any device, wherever the USB is connected.
• No need for free space on your Mac.
• A cost-effective portable solution that can be easily carried around.
• Suitable for installing Windows 11 on an old PC or a Mac computer.
• Gaming-friendly, allowing users to play Windows-exclusive games on their Mac computers.

Step 1. Install OS2Go on your Windows computer, which will show the used space on your system drive. Insert a USB drive with a capacity larger than the used space on your system drive. Select the target USB drive and click Next to proceed.

Step 2. OS2Go will warn you that this process will erase all data on your drive. Make sure you've backed up all important data. Click Continue to proceed.

Step 3. Adjust disk layout. The default disk layout on the target drive will be identical to the source drive. You can also edit the layout to suit your needs. Check the option if you're using a Solid State Drive as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

Step 4. Then, OS2Go will begin creating the portable USB drive. This process may take a while, depending on your operating system and network conditions. Once the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable.

Step 5. Insert the portable Windows USB and turn on your Mac. Press the Option/Alt key. Select the yellow EFI Boot icon to boot from the USB drive. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to boot your Mac.

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Method 2: Install Windows 10 on Mac using BootCamp

If you're using a Mac, there's an official utility for users to install Windows 10 on a Mac. The BootCamp Assistant facilitates switching between macOS and Windows 10 whenever the system restarts. Essentially, you can consider it like any other boot partition tool that allows dual-booting.

BootCamp is typically included in the latest Mac updates by default. Before beginning the installation, make sure your Mac device has at least 128 GB of free space for optimal performance. Additionally, you'll need a 16GB flash drive and the Windows 10 ISO file. Once all these prerequisites are fulfilled, you can proceed with the setup.

Step 1. Change the Secure Boot setting to "Full Security." To do this, you'll need to start your Mac in macOS Recovery. Log in with the appropriate user credentials, and proceed to the macOS Utilities window. From there, navigate to Utilities > Startup Security Utility. Select "Full Security" from the available options.

Step 2. Go to Finder, and type "Boot Camp Assistant."

Step 3. After clicking Continue, a slider will appear, allowing you to select the installation space. You can drag the slider according to your space requirements. Once you've chosen the desired space, select the Windows 10 ISO file from the "Choose a Windows 10 ISO file" option.

Step 4. After selecting the ISO, click on the install button. This will launch the Windows installer, which will prompt you to choose the partition for installation.

Step 5. After selecting the partition, follow any on-screen instructions that appear. Then, the Windows installation process will begin.

Step 6. After the Windows installation is complete, your MAC will restart into Windows and open the "Boot Camp Installer." Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing the drivers. The MAC will then restart to finalize the setup.

Switching between Windows and Mac OS is quite straightforward. Restart your Mac system, and while it's starting up, press and hold the "Option" key. This will give you the option to choose between Windows 10 and Mac.

Conclusion

BootCamp Assistant is a secure option for Mac users to install Windows, functioning like an actual operating system on the device. It offers all the features that the native Windows OS would have, making it ideal for extended use. However, it demands a higher level of computer literacy and requires more substantial disk space.

Creating a portable Windows USB drive is a more cost-effective approach. It's straightforward, convenient, and doesn't demand much from your Mac computer. If you lack sufficient free space, utilizing tools like OS2Go is the ideal option.