Is WinToUsb appropriate to build Windows 10 on external drive before installing in PC

[admin]

Hi,

I bought a 2TB SHDD to replace my 500MG SSD with is running out of space.  My plan is to do a fresh install of Windows 10 64bit and all my programs and then move all my user data over on the new drive mounted externally... when all is done I would then swap the old drive with the new install.  This would minimize the downtime and make sure I have a light and clean initial system on this new drive ready before installing it.

Is WinToUsb appropriate to build Windows 10 on my external drive before installing it in PC?  Would the old drive be bootable to once it is installed on the same external usb3 enclosure in case I need to run program there later?

If there cons to doing this, I would then use my usual approach, bootable WIndows10 instal thumb drive (using Rufus) and install new drive in the laptop and apply a clean install to it.  Carry with the same as above.

Thank you,
Donat

Directly connecting a Windows installation disk created by WinToUSB as an internal disk is not guaranteed to start properly. You have to convert it to a local installation before connecting as an internal diskplease refer to the link below:
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/faq/en...-Disk.html

If you want to convert an internal disk to portable Windows, you have to do the following:
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/faq/en...To-Go.html

Thank you for clarifying,

In that case, I will install the new HDD in the laptop and install OS and programs and convert the OLd HDD to be my Windows on the Go.  Not that My new OS is Windows 10 Pro but my old disk has Windows Home edition.  Both are used for Home.  Will both the Version of Windows be handled properly by WinToUSB free?

In summary, I'll only need to convert Windows Home with WInToUSB free installed on Windows 10 Pro on the same home laptop.

Yes, of course, the free edition of WinToUSB can help you do what you want to do.