Have you ever had to wait a long time for your computer to start up? Do you stare at the loading screen with no idea what to do? You’re not the only one if so. In today’s fast-paced world, every second counts, and a slow boot process can really slow down your work.
Fortunately, there is a simple but very effective way to give your old system new life or even speed up a newer one: using an external SSD as your boot drive
Yes, you read that right. That portable storage device you might use to back up files or move them around can actually be the thing that starts your operating system and apps up at lightning speed. In this in-depth guide, we’ll go over how to use an external SSD as a boot drive, which will give your computer a big speed boost.
Why use an external SSD as your boot drive?
Let’s look at the “why” before we get into the “how.” Why would you even think about using a external SSD as your main boot drive? The benefits are numerous and compelling:
Very Fast Performance: This is the best thing about it. Unlike traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), which have spinning platters, Solid State Drives (SSDs) use flash memory to store data. This basic difference leads to read and write speeds that are much faster. You can cut boot times from minutes to seconds, and apps will start up almost right away.
Portability and Flexibility: An external SSD is the most flexible option. You can easily unplug it and plug it into another system that works with it. This is very helpful if you use more than one computer or need a portable workstation. Picture having your whole operating system and work space on a small device!
Simple to Upgrade: Upgrading an internal drive can be hard because you usually have to open your computer and deal with fragile parts. Using a external SSD as a boot drive makes this process a lot easier. This is a plug-and-play solution that doesn’t need much technical know-how.
Bring Back Old Systems: Do you have an old laptop or desktop that is getting really slow? An external SSD can make it work like new again. You can avoid the slow internal HDD and get a big performance boost by booting from a fast external drive. You won’t need to make any complicated internal upgrades.
Flashing contributions made easy: Together An external SSD makes it very easy to set up a dual-boot system with two different operating systems. You can put one operating system on your internal drive and another on your external SSD. When you start your computer, you can choose which one to boot into.
What You Need
Are you ready to go on this trip to get faster? To use an external SSD as a boot drive, you will need the following:
An External SSD: This is the most important part. Pick a SSD that has enough space to store your operating system, important apps, and files. Think about how much space your current internal drive needs and choose a size that gives you some extra space.
Some well-known brands are Samsung (Backlink to Samsung SSDs: https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/ssd/portable/, SanDisk (Backlink to SanDisk Portable SSDs: https://www.westerndigital.com/products/external-drives/sandisk-portable-ssd
SanDisk ( SanDisk Portable SSDs: [https://www.westerndigital.com/products/external-drives/sandisk-portable-ssd]),
Crucial : [https://www.crucial.com/products/external-ssd and WD https://www.westerndigital.com/products/external-drives/wd-portable-ssd.
A USB cable: Most external SSDs come with a USB cable that works with them. Make sure it’s in good shape. For optimal performance, use a USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 (Gen 1 or Gen 2) cable and port, as these offer significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0.
Your Computer: Of course! Check to see if your computer has a USB port.
**The media you need to install your operating system: You will need a USB drive or DVD with the installation files for the operating system you want to use (Windows, macOS, or Linux). You can usually make this from the website of the company that makes the operating system (for example, Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool [Source: Microsoft Media Creation Tool Link]).
A Step-by-Step Guide to Booting from an External SSD
Now for the most important part: how to use an external SSD to boot your computer. These are the steps that usually make up the process:
H3: Step 1: Prepare Your External SSD
Connect the External SSD: Use a USB port on your computer to connect your external SSD.
Initialize and Format (If Necessary): You may need to initialize and format your SSD if it is brand new or has been used before.
Windows: Look for Disk Management in the Start Menu and open it. If the SSD isn’t set up yet, you’ll be asked to do so. For newer systems, pick GPT (GUID Partition Table). After that, right-click on the empty space, choose “New Simple Volume,” and follow the instructions in the wizard. Pick a drive letter and use NTFS to format it.
macOS: Go to Applications > Utilities and open Disk Utility. In the sidebar, choose your “external SSD,” click “Erase,” give it a name, choose APFS or macOS Extended (Journaled) as the format, and GUID Partition Map as the scheme.
Linux: Depending on your distribution, the process may be different, but it usually involves using tools like fdisk or parted to make partitions and then formatting them with a file system like ext4.
Step 2: Put your operating system on the external SSD
This step takes the most time, but it’s very important.
Start from the Installation Media: Turn your computer back on and go to the BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to get into BIOS/UEFI depends on the brand of your motherboard. It could be Del, F2, F12, or Esc. Find the settings for the boot order and make sure that your USB drive or DVD with the OS installation files is the first thing to boot. If you’re not sure, look at the manual for your motherboard.
Start the Installation Process: When you boot from the installation media, the setup for the operating system will start. Carefully read the instructions on the screen.
Select the External SSD as the Installation Location: When you install the operating system, you’ll be asked where you want to put it. Make sure to choose your external SSD as the target drive. Make sure you choose the right drive so you don’t accidentally overwrite data on your internal drive.
Finish the Installation: Let the installation finish on its own. Your computer might need to restart a few times.
Step 3: Set the Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI
You need to tell your computer to boot from the external SSD after the operating system is installed on it.
Restart Your Computer and Go Back to BIOS/UEFI: Use the same key you used in Step 2.
Look for the Boot Order Settings: Go to the part that says “boot order” or “boot priority.”
Make the External SSD a Priority: Find an entry that lists your external SSD. It could be listed by the name of the brand and model. Put this entry at the top of the boot order list.
Exit and Save Changes: Exit and save the changes you made to the BIOS/UEFI settings. Your computer should now try to start up from the external SSD.
Step 4: Enjoy the Speed!
If everything went as planned, your computer should now start up with the operating system that is on your external SSD. You should see a big difference in how quickly your computer boots up and how quickly apps load right away.
Useful Tips for Everyday Life
Using an external SSD as your boot drive can make your computer work much better. Here are some useful things to remember:
Keep the Connection Stable: Make sure that the USB cable that connects your external SSD is securely plugged into both the SSD and your computer. A connection that isn’t tight can cause problems with performance or even loss of data.
Get a Good Cable: For the best performance, you need a USB 3.0 or higher cable that is of good quality. Do not use cables that are cheap or broken.
Think about using a dedicated USB port: If you can, connect your external SSD to a USB port that isn’t used by other high-speed devices.
Be Careful with: SSDs are stronger than HDDs, but you should still not drop your external SSD or put it through extreme temperatures or physical stress.
Backups on a regular basis: It’s important to back up your data often, just like with any other storage device. For this purpose, think about using cloud backup services or an extra external hard drive (link to a blog post about data backup strategies).
Think About the USB Standard: For the fastest data transfer speeds, make sure that your computer’s USB port and the external SSD both support the same USB standard (for example, USB 3.0 or USB 3.1). If your hardware can handle it, USB 3.2 and Thunderbolt are even faster.
Look into docking stations or hubs: A docking station or a high-quality powered USB hub can make it easier to connect and disconnect your external SSD often. They can also help your computer’s USB ports last longer.
Possible Things to Think About and Fix
Using an external SSD as a boot drive is usually easy, but here are some things to think about and ways to fix problems:
Works with BIOS/UEFI: Older computers may not be able to boot from USB drives completely or may have some issues. Check the manual for your motherboard or the settings in your BIOS or UEFI to see if they work together.
Problems with the driver: When you boot from a external SSD, you might run into driver compatibility problems, but this is very rare. Make sure your USB controller has the most up-to-date drivers.
Changes in Performance: While you’ll likely see a significant improvement, the exact performance gains can vary depending on the speed of your external SSD, your computer’s USB port, and other system factors.
Accidental Disconnection: Be careful not to accidentally disconnect the external SSD while your computer is on. This could cause data loss or make your system unstable. Before unplugging the drive, make sure to safely eject it from your operating system.
Updates to the Firmware: Make sure the firmware on your external SSD is always up to date. Firmware updates that can make things run better and more reliably are often released by manufacturers. Visit the manufacturer’s website to see if there are any updates.
Conclusion: Speed Up Your Computer with an External SSD
Learning how to use an external SSD as a boot drive can make a big difference in how well your computer works. This upgrade is pretty easy to do and can make a big difference. It can give older systems new life and make newer ones run faster. An external SSD makes your computer experience even more convenient because it is portable and flexible. If you’re sick of slow boot times and slow application loading, you should think about booting from an external SSD. You’ll be glad you did!
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Sources:
- Samsung SSDs: https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/ssd/portable/
- SanDisk Portable SSDs: https://www.westerndigital.com/products/external-drives/sandisk-portable-ssd
- Crucial External SSDs: https://www.crucial.com/products/external-ssd
- WD External SSDs: https://www.westerndigital.com/products/external-drives/wd-portable-ssd