How to Install Windows on an SD Card [Detailed Guide]

Windows is one of the most versatile operating systems that can also be installed on an SD card. There are several reasons why you might consider installing Windows on an SD card, such as if you're a journalist, a business professional, a government official, or frequently travel and prefer not to use untrusted computers.

In this scenario, you can install Windows on an SD card, insert the SD card into the computer, boot into Windows using it, and safely remove it once finished. This ensures that your data remains inaccessible to others.

If this sounds exciting and you want to know how to install Windows on an SD card, keep reading!

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Install Windows on an SD Card [Step-by-Step Guide]

Ensure that the SD card has a decent IOPS value before installing Windows on it, and then you'll need to turn the SD card into a bootable one.

Here's how to proceed:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to the PC and format it to the NTFS file system using the Windows "Diskpart" or "Disk Management" utility.

Step 2. Visit the Microsoft website and download the Windows 10/11 Installation Media Creation Tool. Once downloaded, run the file.

Step 3. Choose the option "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC."

Step 4. Next, choose the language, your Windows architecture, and the edition of Windows.

Step 5. Select the option "USB flash drive" and choose your SD card.

Now, once you've turned your SD card into a bootable SD card, here's what you need to do to install Windows on it:

Step 1. Restart your PC and access the BIOS menu by pressing the BIOS key.

Step 2. In the firmware section, check whether "UEFI boot mode" is enabled or disabled. If it is enabled, disable it and then activate "legacy support/BIOS."

Step 3. Next, change the boot order and set your SD card as the first bootable device.

Step 4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS window.

Step 5. Restart your PC, and it will boot Windows from the SD card.

[Easy] Install Windows on a Portable USB with One Click

Installing Windows on an SD card involves multiple steps and requires a certain level of computer knowledge to complete the process. To simplify this, using a tool like **OS2Go** is highly recommended. This excellent utility aids in installing the Windows operating system on both verified and non-verified portable USB devices. It enables you to create a Windows To Go directly from an ISO file, with support for both BIOS and UEFI.

With this software, you can also clone the Windows OS to a portable USB drive, ranging from Windows 7 all the way up to Windows 11.

Utilize the OS2GO tools to swiftly install Windows on your portable USB without the inconvenience of downloading the Windows Creation Tool from Microsoft's website and subsequently enduring a lengthy installation process.

And if you wish to install Microsoft's latest Windows 11 on your SD card, you can easily accomplish this task using the tool OS2GO. You can create a Windows 11 installation USB drive that bypasses the Windows 11 system requirements.

Now, use it to install your Windows operating system on a portable USB so you can take and use it anywhere.

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

Step 2. OS2Go will warn you that the following action 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 an SSD as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

Step 4. OS2Go will then begin creating the portable USB drive. This process may take some time, 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 start your computer. Press the necessary key (F2, DEL, F10...) to access BIOS. Select to boot from the USB drive.

Note: Please ensure that the boot mode (either UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and your target computer are identical, or else you might not be able to boot.

Resolving issues preventing the installation of Windows on an SD card

Many users have reported that the Windows Creation Tool fails to detect their SD cards, and some have encountered issues where the BIOS does not recognize the SD card when attempting to change the boot order. A few users have also reported various other problems, but these are the most commonly reported ones.

The solution to the first problem is straightforward. Utilize the tool OS2GO to easily install Windows 11 on an SD card, or alternatively, clone your existing Windows onto an SD card.

Regarding the second issue, update your computer's BIOS, and it should recognize your SD card as a bootable device. Afterwards, you can select it within the BIOS and boot Windows from your SD card.

Conclusion

Unlike other operating systems, Windows is highly flexible and advanced, making it the most popular OS worldwide. You can install and boot Windows on standard hard drives and SSDs, as well as through unconventional means such as using an SD card or a portable USB with the help of tools like OS2Go. We hope this article has assisted you in successfully installing Windows on an SD card.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Windows on an SD Card

Do you have any other queries about installing Windows on an SD card? We address some of them below.

1. How do I install Windows 10 on my SD card for the Steam Deck?

The process is essentially straightforward: first, create a Windows ISO file, then download the Steam Deck's drivers. Next, use Rufus to install Windows onto your SD card. Insert the SD card into the Steam Deck and restart it. In the Steam Deck boot selection menu, choose your SD card, and allow it to boot into Windows. Once it starts up successfully, proceed with installing the drivers.

**2. How do I make my SD card bootable for Windows 10?**

You can make your SD card bootable for Windows 10 using Disk Management, Diskpart, and Explorer.