How to Install the Windows 7 OS on a Portable Hard Drive

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This article will explain on how to install the Windows 7 OS system on your portable hard drive.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing for Installation

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-1.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Type in 'cmd', then right click cmd, click 'Run as administrator' and enter the password if prompted.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-2.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-3.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-4.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find which one it is by checking the size of its hard drive and matching it up with one on the list.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-5.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-6.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-7.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-8.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-9.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-10.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-11.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    12. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Installing Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-12.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Extract it to your desktop or somewhere where you can find it.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-13.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click on the folder Windows Easy Install, then folder NT6.x_fast_installer, then finally click on the folder Windows 7.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-14.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enter the admin password if prompted. A green command window should open up. Press enter.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-15.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open your Windows 7 Installer USB or CD. When it is opened, click on sources.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-16.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click on it then open it. There should be a list of Windows 7 versions, select one.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-17.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Simply select your portable drive number.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-18.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enter your portable drive where you will be installing Windows' number
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-19.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you want to use another drive letter, put it in then press enter.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-21.jpg\/aid6738821-v4-728px-Install-the-Windows-7-OS-on-a-Portable-Hard-Drive-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When it's done, boot it up from your portable drive.
    11. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need


      You Might Also Like

      How to Check if a Hard Drive is an SSD or HDD on a Windows PC
      How to Check Free Hard Disc Space on PCs, Macs, iPhones & Androids
      How to Install a Hard Drive: HDD, SSD, and M.2
      How to
      Destroy a Hard Drive
      How to
      Clean Drive C for More Space
      How to Remove a Hard Drive
      How to
      Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop
      How to Reformat an External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac
      How to Tell if a USB Cable Supports Hi Speed & Fast Charging
      How to
      Fix a Physically Broken Hard Drive
      How to
      Unpartition a Hard Drive
      How to Open a Seagate External Hard Drive
      How to
      Convert an Internal Hard Drive to External Via HD Enclosure
      How to
      Take a Hard Drive Out of a Laptop
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 49,277 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement