Apple is trying to get us to dongle attach 'all the things' but what happens when that philosophy doesn't jive with all of your computing needs? One such situation is when wanting to run Windows 10 natively on your Mac (in my case my Mac mini). The 'normal' method would be to use Boot Camp to repartition your internal hard drive to make room for Windows 10. However, in some instances, repartitioning may not be an option. For example due to disk size limitations. Attaching a Thunderbolt 3 connected drive is the obvious solution but Windows 10 does NOT like to be installed onto detachable devices. Here's how to force the install of Windows 10 onto your externally attached drive!
What you'll need
Hardware
- I was able to make a macOS Sierra external USB boot disk in a few minutes, and the installation worked without a hitch. Also works with older versions of OS X. Diskmaker X is a popular app.
- Nov 17, 2019 This article shows you two ways to boot Mac from external USB stick, as well as some troubleshooting tips in case Mac won't boot from the target USB. Boot Mac from USB Option l: Startup Manager. If your Mac won't boot up normally, you can set it to boot from a different drive, such as a USB stick containing macOS installation files in bootable.
Of course you'll need an externally connected drive. I went with a 240GB SATA SSD ($30) that I placed into Thunderbolt 3 capable external SATA enclosure ($9).
Software
First up we'll need an ISO copy of Windows 10.
- Navigate to the Windows 10 Download site.
- Select Windows 10 as the edition.
- Click Confirm.
- Select the Language you want.
- Click Confirm.
- Click the 64-bit Download.
- And the download will now begin.
Apr 18, 2020 By default, your Mac starts up from its built-in hard disk, but a startup disk can be any storage device that contains an operating system compatible with your Mac. For example, if you install macOS on an internal or external drive, your Mac can recognise that drive as a startup disk. You can then follow the steps in this article to start up. Today we’ll be installing MacOS Sierra 10.12.6 on An External Hard Drive or Solid State Drive and boot it on any Laptop or PC running on the latest 7th Gen Kaby Lake or even previous generation processors. Also, we don’t need a MacBook for this. So if you have a Windows Laptop, proceed with this tutorial. It’s like a portable OS disk which can be booted on any compatible Laptop or PC. Mar 20, 2019 Navigate to the Boot Camp E: drive. Move the files onto the Boot Camp E: drive. Finally, shut down VMware Fusion. Select Virtual Machine Shut Down. Mac OS changes. Now we can set the boot order to boot from the external drive. Open System Preferences. Select Startup Disk. Click the Lock. Enter your Password. Select Boot Camp Windows.
Next, you can download the 30 day free trial of VMware Fusion.
- Navigate to the VMware Fusion download site.
- Click Download Now.
- Allow the download to complete.
Next, we'll need to get a Windows utility called Win-to-USB. Although there is a free version, installing Windows latest 1809 October update will require use to but the non-free version ($30). You are free to use the free version for older Windows 10 ISO's suck as 1803.
- Navigate to the Win-to-USB site.
- Select Upgrade to buy a license. (or if using an older Windows 10 ISO simply click Download for the free version).
- Click Download to get the software.
Finally, we'll need the Boot Camp Windows support files.
- Start Boot Camp Assistant from Spotlight.
- From the menu bar at the top of your screen click Action.
- Select Download support software. Mac os x yosemite download google drive.
- Choose a Download location and click Save.
The setup
The external drive
![Boot Boot](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bc/Boot-from-an-External-Hard-Drive-Step-27-Version-2.jpg/aid5825779-v4-1200px-Boot-from-an-External-Hard-Drive-Step-27-Version-2.jpg)
- Attach your external drive to your Mac.
- Start Disk Utility from Spotlight.
- Select your external drive.
- Click Erase.
- Rename the drive to Boot Camp.
- Ensure that the Format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Ensure the Scheme is set to GUID Partition Map.
- Click Erase.
VMware Fusion
- Install the VMware Fusion software we downloaded earlier by double clicking the DMG file.
- Double click the Installer.
- Enter your Password.
- Agree to the user agreement and select *try VMware Fusion for 30 days**.
- Create a New Virtual Machine.
- Drag and drop the Windows ISO file you downloaded earlier onto the VMware Fusion Window.
- Click Continue.
- Select your Windows Version to install. I use Windows 10 Home.
- Click Continue.
- Click Continue without key.
- Select More isolated.
- Click Continue.
- Click Finish.
- Click Save to allow the software to install Windows 10 in a virtual machine.
- Allow the Virtual Machine to boot into a Windows 10 desktop.
Windows 10 VM
Your Windows 10 VM should now be up and running. We will now prepare the external drive and put a basic installation of Window s10 on it.
- Click the Wrench Icon to start VM Settings.
- Click USB & Bluetooth.
- Check your external drive (here called Boot Camp).
- Click OK.
- Right-click the Windows Icon.
- Select Disk Management.
- Right-Click the Primary Partition of the attached drive.
- Select Delete Volume.
- Click Yes.
- Right-Click on the new Unallocated disk partition.
- Select New Simple Volume.
- Click Next.
- Click Next again.
- Again click Next.
- Change the Volume Label to Boot Camp.
- Click Next.
- Click Finish.
Next, we need to attach our Windows ISO to the Windows 10 VM.
- From the menu bar select Virtual Machine > CD/DVD SATA > Choose Disk or Disk Image.
- Select the Windows 10 ISO we downloaded.
- Click Open.
- From the menu bar select Virtual Machine > CD/DVD SATA > Connect CD/DVD.
Move files into the VM
- Drag and drop the WinToUSB_Free.exe file we downloaded earlier into the Windows 10 VM window.
- Drag and drop the WindowsSupport file we downloaded from Boot Camp earlier into the Windows 10 VM window.
![Mac Mac](https://i.stack.imgur.com/PzjcY.jpg)
Install Win-to-USB in the Windows 10 VM
- Double-Click the WinToUSBFree.exe in Windows.
- Install Win-to-USB with all of the defaults in your selected language.
Next, we run Win-to-USB.
- Double-Click the desktop Icon for Win-to-USB.
- If you bought a License to install 1809 October update, click Upgrade now.
- Enter your license key and click Register.
- Restart Win-to-USB.
- Select the CD/DVD icon.
- From the drop down list select your attached Windows 10 ISO.
- Select the version of Windows 10 you wish to install.
- Click Next.
- From the drop down list select your attached drive.
- Select the EFI partition (The smaller partition).
- Select the boot partition (The larger partition).
- Click Next.
- Allow the installation to complete.
- Click Exit.
Copy the WindowsSupport files from Boot Camp onto the newly updated windows partition on your externally attached drive.
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the Boot Camp E
:
drive. - Move the files onto the Boot Camp E
:
drive.
Finally, shut down VMware Fusion.
- Select Virtual Machine > Shut Down.
Mac OS changes
Now we can set the boot order to boot from the external drive.
- Open System Preferences.
- Select Startup Disk.
- Click the Lock.
- Enter your Password.
- Select Boot Camp Windows.
- Click Restart.
Finishing up
That's it! Once the machine reboots you'll be presented with a Windows 10 install sequence. Follow the prompts like you normally would and you'll be able to run Windows 10 natively on your Mac. Here are some notes to follow up on.
- Once your windows installation is complete, remember to navigate into file explorer and install the Boot Camp drivers for your machine. That will setup your network card, display, and other Apple-centric devices. This will also install the Boot Camp program to help you reboot into macOS.
- If for some reason you have troubles, power down your Mac and simply detach your external drive. You should be able to simply reboot into macOS.
- If that fails, hold Command-Option-P-R all at once and wait until you hear two chimes. Once done, you'll be able to boot back into macOS.
Final comments
Now you can run native Windows 10 and native macOS Mojave. The best of both worlds with little compromise. If you have any tips on getting this working in a better or faster way. Please let us know in the comments!
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- 1. Mac Files Tips
- 2. Mac Software
- 3. Mac Storage Tips
- 4. Mac Troubleshooting
- 5. Mac OS
by Jenefey AaronUpdated on 2020-01-10 / Update for OS X
You may need to boot up your Mac using an external drive or boot volume once in a while, rather than using a start up disk. Booting with an external disk has a lot of significance. Maybe you want to troubleshoot some problems, repair the disk, do partitions, format the entire disk, update, and install OS X etc. All these are executed perfectly when you use an external boot volume to boot up your Mac. In this article, we are here with the detailed step by step guide on how to boot Mac from external hard drive easily. So, let's get started…
Part 1: How to Boot Mac from USB Drive/CD/DVD
Actually, it is possible to boot Mac from external drive or a hard drive, but there are a few specific requirements needed for your Mac to become eligible for that process.
- First, you have to have an Intel-Based Mac.
- Second, the CD or DVD you are using to boot must contain Apple’s Super Drive or if you are using a USB drive then it should be formatted with GUID Partition, and you are also required to install OS X installer. Apple is against booting Mac from an external storage device, because you may install an older version of OS X than the one you were using.
Boot from CD or DVD:
If you want to boot your MacBook/Air/Pro/iMac from an optical media like CD or DVD you need to follow the steps below:
1. Open your Mac or restart the device if you were already using it.
2. When the startup music is playing press and hold the “C” key from the keyboard.
3. This will start the OS X installer from the CD/DVD on your Mac.
So, it is not too complicated to Mac boot from CD/DVD. You can easily burn a bootable image of OS X on a DVD by using Disk Utility.
Boot from External USB:
Using your USB drive to boot Mac is not as simple as you think. You need to prepare your USB drive beforehand for this specific purpose. You have to format the USB drive and insert the proper Operating System, which is OS X.
1. Turn on your Mac.
2. As soon as the startup music begins you need to press and keep holding the 'Option' key.
3. After that release that key, the Startup manager will be launched.
4. Startup Manager will begin scanning your device and you will be provided with a list of devices that are connected to your Mac.
5. Now, select the drive you want to use with your mouse.
6. Finally, press 'Return' key on the selected option to boot Mac.
Boot Mac From External Hd
This way you can boot your Mac with an external USB drive, but the most critical part is to prepare the USB drive. If you have multiple USB drives connected, then the Startup Manager shall list the drives with the bootable OS. So, this is how to boot Mac from USB drive.
Part 2: Common Problems and Fixes When Boot Mac from External Drive
You may face several issues during MacBook Pro Boot from USB or any external drive. So, a few FAQs are mentioned below which may help you when you are facing any difficulties.
- 1. Have you tried connecting to a different USB port?
- 2. Have you formatted the USB drive with GUID partition?
- 3. Is your Mac shutting down after connecting the disk?
- 4. Is your Disk needs repair?
- 5. Have you connected the USB drive properly?
If you are unable to startup the installer after connecting the USB drive to your Mac, then first you should try connecting it to a different USB port. It may fix the problem.
If you are having problems with your USB storage device then you need to make sure that if you have properly formatted the drive with GUID partition. You have to do it properly otherwise the Intel-Based Mac won't start.
Actually, the MacBook contains a preventive measure and because of that computer shuts down automatically when a damaged USB drive is connected or if the USB port itself is damaged.
If your Mac fails to boot from an external drive even though you have properly installed the OS X installer, then maybe your disk is damaged. You should open Disk Utility and ask permission to repair disk.
There are two types of Apple keyboards, Wired and Wireless. There are also some keyboards with inbuilt USB ports but they may not have enough power to run the drive.
Mac Os Boot Windows From External Drive Free
So, this is how to startup Mac from external drive. Follow the frequently asked questions to clear any doubts that you have while booting from external hard drive Mac.
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