Dual boot using expansion card - issues to anticipate

Hi: I’m new to the community and and not 100% confident navigating the forum. Apologies if I’ve asked the same question as someone else. My Framework computer has been flawless. All I did was take the SSD out of my previous laptop and booted up. It helps that I run Linux Mint. It was so easy that the computer name is still HP-Laptop. I should change that.

I’m about to order some expansion cards from the Marketplace and I was wondering if I could install Windows on the expansion drive. I want to save on shipping so I’m going to order more cards than I need now. Anyhow, it seems from other posts that is indeed possible though one user is did the opposite of what I want. With my desktop, what I did was install Mint on one SSD and Windows on the other. I removed the Windows SSD when I installed Mint so I select Windows from the BIOS if I want it, otherwise it just boots Linux.

Could I do the same thing or similar like booking of the internal SSD if the expansion port ssd is not there and off the expansion port if it is?

Thanks, and I love this computer.

Jenn

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Thanks! That makes it as easy as I hoped. An order will be placed early next week

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Please be careful with untested advice. Windows 11 refused to install on the expansion drive because it was a USB-connected drive. It’s an artificial limitiation, typical of Windows. Way to drive customers away, Redmond. I mean, who owns the device?

Now I’m stuck with a Windows licence and expansion drive that I can’t use. I’m not giving Windows space on the SSD for an occasional use.

Jenn

You can install Windows on removable drives, but it’s more complicated than just doing a standard installation.

See here for example: Guide: How to install Windows 10 onto storage expansion card

No worries, it was my error. I felt misled because I was trying to do some research before making a purchase and mistook your thoughts for experience. Ultimately, I did not see that you didn’t answer the question that I asked. Like I said, it’s on me. I wanted easy and was impulsive.

With every iteration of Windows, I find it more and more unusable. I’m fine without it. I suppose that I can purchase an SSD and install it there.

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