Windows 10: Can I use an external HD like a usb flash drive to use the media installation tool?

an I use an external HD like a usb flash drive to use the media installation tool?

:)

 

Can't install update on external hard drive?

Thank you for that information Laura.

Since the Update Assistant is still not offering the option to install updates in external drive, I suggest that you create a bootable media using a USB flash drive and another one where we will install the updates. See

Create Windows 10 installation media and follow the steps under "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)" to learn how.

Afterwards, follow the steps below on how to install updates :

• Connect both the USB flash drive with Windows 10 installation files
  and the other empty USB flash drive.
• Double-click the Setup.exe file to launch the Windows 10 installation from the USB flash drive.
• Select the Keep personal files and apps option to update your computer.
  
• If you get the "Windows needs more space" option, click the
  Choose another drive or attach an external drive with 10GB available link.
• Click Install
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process as necessary.

We appreciate your patience Laura. Don't hesitate to post back if you need more help.

 

Failed Media Creation Tool attempt at bootable USB flash drive


Shawn, these are the steps being referred to that NavyLCDR posted. They work for both UEFI and MBR.

Here are the steps to create a standard Windows 10 USB flash drive:

1. Use the Media Creation Tool to download and save the ISO file to your hard drive.
2. Insert the USB flash drive.
3. Open a Administrator Command Prompt and enter: diskpart (if it isn't an administrator command prompt, it will ask for administrator permission).
4. list disk
5. select disk # <- replace # with the actual disk number of the USB flash drive
6. clean <- this will erase the disk selected above, make sure you selected the USB flash drive!
7. create part pri
8. format fs=fat32 quick
9. active
10. exit
11. exit - and if the first Command Prompt was not an Administrator Command Prompt, exit that one too.
11. Mount the ISO file saved by the Media Creation Tool. If you are using Windows 8 or 10, you only have to right click on it and click on mount. If you are using Windows 7, then you must use a program like WinCDEmu to mount the ISO file:
WinCDEmu - the easiest way to mount an ISO. And more...
12. Copy all the files and folders from the mounted ISO file to the USB flash drive.

That's as simple as it gets. Between steps 7 and 8 you can enter: "select part 1" without quotes - but it should not be necessary.
Between steps 8 and 9 you can enter: "assign" without quotes - but it should not be necessary.

 

How to install Windows 10 Version 1709 update on external hard disk

Hi Janis,

If the Update assistant is not presenting an option to install the 1709 update in an external drive, here's a workaround on how to install the update using an empty USB flash drives.

Before we proceed, you'll need a few things:

• Two empty USB flash drives, each with at least 16GB in size.
• Two free USB ports on your device.

Now, to create Windows 10 installation media using a USB flash drive, click
here.

Click the Download Tool Now and follow the steps under "Using the tool to create installation media".

To install a Windows 10 update from a flash drive, follow the steps below:

• Connect both the USB flash drive with the Windows 10 installation files and the other empty USB flash drive.
• Double-click the Setup.exe file to open the Windows 10 installation from the USB flash drive.
• Choose the Keep personal files and apps option to only update your PC.
• If you get the "Windows needs more space" option, click the
  Choose another drive or attach an external drive with 10GB available link.
• Select your empty USB flash drive to serve as temporary storage.
• Click Refresh.
• Click Install.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process as necessary.

In any case that the suggested workaround didn't work, you can submit a report using the Feedback Hub that lets you tell Microsoft about any problems you run in to while using Windows 10 and send suggestions
to help us improve your Windows experience.

Let us know how it goes.