📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses the challenge of creating a bootable hard drive capable of installing both 64-bit and 32-bit Windows on any machine. The original poster seeks a method to set up such a drive, as traditional tools like the media creation tool only support USB drives, and compatibility issues prevent straightforward installation or booting from the hard drive. Several users suggest alternative approaches, including using multiple drives or attempting to make a bootable external hard drive with tools like Rufus, with some confirming Rufus's capability. The overall tone indicates frustration with the complexity of the task but provides some potential solutions and encouragement.
LawH

LawH

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Thread Author #1
How can make a hard drive that allows me to install both 64-bit and 32-bit windows into any machine if I plug it into. I don't mean a USB stick, or external hard drive, I mean an actual hard drive. This is my only option right now.

I tried the media creation tool but it only allows me to use USB flash drives. I tried to install a 32 bit windows to the hard drive, but my 64-bit system won't allow it. I tried force installing it, but it still wouldn't allow me to install due to different BIOS types.

I just want to create a hard drive, that works like a USB stick, so I can plug it into my 32-bit computer, install windows, and be done with this.
 

livix07

livix07

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#2
You can always use 2 HDDs/SSDs (one version of Windows on each) if it's not possible to have both on the same disk.
 

LawH

LawH

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But how do I get it on the disk? There's no option to put the windows boot on the hard drive, only on USB using the media creation tool, and the ISO file tries to install windows on the hard drive, but won't make it so that I can boot it from it.

I want to have a hard drive, that allows me to install any windows, or at least the 32-bit version of it, by plugging it into a pc.

I swear my IQ has taken a nosedive after spending a day on this, and I really just want this to be over with. So if you know how to do this, can you give me step by step instructions.
 

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LawH

LawH

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Thread Author #5
Same here. I was surprised at how complicated it was. I would have imagined that creating a partition on a disk, or in my case just using the entire disk to create a boot device would have been simple.

I downloaded Rufus but it didn't give me any options to work with unfortunately. I have Ubuntu on my other PC, and nothing works on it, so this has to happen one way or the other. If you happen to come across some information on this, please do let me know if you have the time.
 

nmsuk

nmsuk

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#7
livix07 said:
I am not sure if RUFUS can make a bootable HDD.
Maybe this tutorial can help you:
Make a Bootable External Hard Drive and Install Windows 7/8 - Bootable USB
I have never tried to make a bootable HDD. I always use a USB drive or a DVD.
Click to expand...

Rufus can, it's in advanced drive properties

An image from 'Installation Problems'. Rufus software interface for creating bootable USB drives with no device selected.
 

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J

Johnclark01

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#8
I too have faced the same problem with my computer but it did not work even though after trying for many times. After that I have gone through this blog for some suggestion then my problem has been solved now I am using it smoothly.
 

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