How Can I Install Windows 11 on External Hard Drive or SSD?

To install Windows 11 on an external hard drive. I’ve dabbled with setting up Windows on external drives—especially when I needed that flexibility for school or travel. The first time I did it with a standard install (not using Windows To Go), it felt like trying to push a square peg into a round hole. Boot configs were messy, drivers were all over the place—it turned into a bit of a headache. But using Windows To Go? A game-changer!

Sadly, Microsoft discontinued official support for Windows To Go in Windows 10 version 1903 and above, so it's not natively available for Windows 11. That said, while you could still use third-party tools to achieve a similar outcome, it might not have the same level of support and functionality you'd expect.

If you really want to set up something portable for Windows 11, consider using tools like WinToUSB or Rufus, both of which can help create a bootable Windows installation on an external drive. Just keep in mind the potential quirks that come with using unofficial methods.