Parallel 7/Windows on External HDD

[ahsiao80]

Hi guys!

i have a question, is it possible to install Parallel 7/windows on a external HDD and boot it up on my retina macbook whenever i need and how to do it if it's possible?

Reason is because i have this retina macbook pro for awhile now and due to school starting in coming april, RP is forcing me to install them in-order to run the programme specially design for the school ._.

*Side-note: anyone have any idea how big would the total file be after installation? Because my retina macbook pro is only 128gb SSD

 

[EJB]

Yes. It can be done.

For a period of time I installed my Win7 Pro on a external HDD with VMWare.

The file size is about 10GB depending on what you install within the Windows OS.

Same issue as you, I was using a 120GB SSD and it wasn't enough so I resorted to this.

Make sure your cable is not loose, else you will 'crash' your Windows OS.

I've since upgraded to 256GB SSD so no issue with hosting the VMWare file on the main disk.

 

[kwok0037]

I got my parallel Window 7 inside one of these. Get either the 32/64gb and have it plug in your macbook all the time then you won't forget. But definitely not as fast as those you had inside your local ssd.

Cruzer Fit USB Flash Drive by SanDisk

 

[ahsiao80]

Yes. It can be done.

For a period of time I installed my Win7 Pro on a external HDD with VMWare.

The file size is about 10GB depending on what you install within the Windows OS.

Same issue as you, I was using a 120GB SSD and it wasn't enough so I resorted to this.

Make sure your cable is not loose, else you will 'crash' your Windows OS.

I've since upgraded to 256GB SSD so no issue with hosting the VMWare file on the main disk.

what does VMWare do? And just to confirm that window OS can be installed on a External HDD and boot-up whenever i need to right?

Lastly, how do i do it actually?

 

[crystalnox]

what does VMWare do? And just to confirm that window OS can be installed on a External HDD and boot-up whenever i need to right?

Lastly, how do i do it actually?

It does the same thing as parallels. I would stick to Parallels 9 though, more user friendly. Win7 without any software installed should take about 10gb. Go search YouTube, lots of videos showing how.