MS Windows boot via SATA III or USB 3

[stevech]

I recall that the reason windows still cannot boot from USB of any kind is that MS doesn't have USB drivers in the part of windows that initializes. It does have PATA/SATA. (though the BIOS might have a boot USB option).

So I wonder if this issue applies as well to SATA III? And USB 3?

Or am I wrong?

 

[Nothinman]

The USB drivers aren't initialized early enough in the boot sequence, AFAIK they're there but the OS just doesn't even attempt to do anything with them until later.

It will most likely apply to USB3, but not SATA III since it doesn't apply to SATA II. It's possible to make Windows boot from USB, look at PE discs, but it's not simple like it is with Linux.

 

[pcunite]

Windows has specific limitations to thwart piracy. It would be nothing for them to make the whole OS simply an application. Linux, on the other hand, does not have any inhibitions to sharing its software for free.

 

[Nothinman]

Windows has specific limitations to thwart piracy. It would be nothing for them to make the whole OS simply an application. Linux, on the other hand, does not have any inhibitions to sharing its software for free.

Licensing has nothing to do with it, BartPE shows that it can be done with a little bit of work. Windows just wasn't designed to be run from removable media so MS didn't take that into consideration. With Vista and up the installer is a mini version of Windows making it a lot easier to do but it's still extra work because it wasn't designed to be run like that for regular use, just the installer.

 

[pcunite]

Licensing has nothing to do with it, BartPE shows that it can be done with a little bit of work. Windows just wasn't designed to be run from removable media so MS didn't take that into consideration. With Vista and up the installer is a mini version of Windows making it a lot easier to do but it's still extra work because it wasn't designed to be run like that for regular use, just the installer.

And why do you think it is extra work? I'm not bashing Windows, just don't kid yourself as to why it is more work and not this way outta the box.

 

[Nothinman]

And why do you think it is extra work? I'm not bashing Windows, just don't kid yourself as to why it is more work and not this way outta the box.

As I said, because MS didn't take that usage into consideration when designing it; it's nothing more than that. "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

 

[SickBeast]

Windows 8 will apparently have this feature and will require a 16gb usb drive to do it.

 

[Nothinman]

Windows 8 will apparently have this feature and will require a 16gb usb drive to do it.

I'm surprised you could even come close to getting Win7 on a 16G drive...

 

[pcunite]

As I said, because MS didn't take that usage into consideration when designing it; it's nothing more than that.

Well, I welcome them adding this feature ... there are times I want to boot my system using a different image. With a fast USB3 usb stick I could easy do this from the front of the computer.

 

[Nothinman]

Well, I welcome them adding this feature ... there are times I want to boot my system using a different image. With a fast USB3 usb stick I could easy do this from the front of the computer.

I'm sure activation will still be an issue, but it's a small step forward. I'm glad I'm not limited by MS' random decisions at my house...