Question installing Windows 11 on 2.5" 1TB SATA SSD hooked up to WYSE 5070 thin client PC

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I have a Dell Wyse 5070 that has an internal m.2 ssd slot that ONLY supports the SATA version. I have a spare 2.5"" SATA SSD, and I hooked this up to a SATA to USB adapter. I am able to see and access the drive when I hook it up to my main tower PC.


However, when I hooked it up to a rear USB on the WYSE 5070, it starts to do the install to the drive, and then I get a message about it not being able to install windows on an external USB drive.

Now I'm wondering where I went wrong. Do I absolutely HAVE to go out and buy an m.2 SATA SSD for this thing? Do I need to get some sort of adapter to hook the 2.5" SATA SSD up directly to the m.2 SATA internal connector? I didn't realize that Windows didn't like being installed to an external drive.....

The thin client doesn't have a traditional SATA data or power connector, if you're wondering why I don't just hook up to that.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I didn't realize that Windows didn't like being installed to an external drive

Well, now you know! This has always been true, as far as I can remember.

 

[TheELF]

Search google for windows to go, you can install windows to a usb device, it gets installed to a virtual hard drive so there will be a bit of loss in drive speed but as long as you don't run any disk benchmarks you won't notice.

Also linux is always an option and has more native ways of running from a usb drive.

 

[taisingera]

I have Win10 installed on an external 2.5" ssd and plug it in only when needed. I used Rufus to get it installed onto the drive using Windows to Go, and the performance is good enough. I even have it booting with Secure Boot on a Dell Latitude. Only when it updates, you have to make sure to hit F12 or whatever for the boot menu and select the drive. The other thing I ran into with this setup, I initially had 21H2 on it, but didn't realize that I never got 22H2 update, and it wouldn't work because of the external install, so I had to fresh install 22H2. Last version of Win10 anyway, so I don't care now, but still get security updates.