How to Install Software to an External Hard Drive

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
External hard drive

You can save space on a computer hard drive by installing software on an external hard drive instead of the PC's hard drive and accessing it from the external hard drive.
While this is an effective way to save space on a hard drive, do not assume that software installed on an external hard drive will be portable. Some simple programs may be able to be transferred to other systems this way, but a more complex program will have certain components installed on the main PC and will not be recognized on other systems.

Advertisement

Step 1

Connect the external hard drive to the PC via USB connection. Turn the external hard drive on.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Begin the installation process for the software and follow the installation prompts.

Advertisement

Step 3

Choose a destination drive to install the program onto when prompted. Select the drive that corresponds to the external hard drive.

Step 4

Continue the installation process, and the software should install on the external hard drive without problems.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 5

Never attempt to disconnect the external hard drive from the PC while programs are running that are installed on the external hard drive. This will result in numerous errors.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...