Can I boot windows 7 from an ssd on a usb hard drive dock?

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abyss aside

PCHF Member
Mar 13, 2021
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I have a lenovo 100s chromebook, and a gateway pc with only ubuntu installed, I have an old copy of windows 7 and would like to install it along with the ubuntu on my pc. I do not have a large enough usb stick to store the iso file for my windows 7, and also my writable dvds dont have enough storage. I have a usb hard drive dock, and was hoping I could put the windows iso on the ssd and boot from it on my pc if i was to harvest the ssd I have in the chromebook since i havent used it since college. I know the obvious answer is to go out and buy a suitable usb stick or dual layer dvd, but i have no money to spare right now, and I would like to make use of at least some of the old chromebook. Is this possible?
If so could anyone give me any important pointers for he process or direct me to a source of information that might help on the topic?

I apologize if I broke any rules of this forum or placed my question in the wrong spot, I do not normally use forums and am not very experienced with this sort of thing. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
 
I have an old copy of windows 7

What do you mean by you have an old copy, two reasons why this is important we know.

You cannot use an OS that has been installed on another computer as the drivers, settings and Windows configurations will not be compatible and you will get a blue or black screen on boot.

Windows 7 may be obsolete but it it is still licenced and Microsoft still expect to be paid for the product key that you will need.
 
I have to add that it is unlikely the SSD in the Chromebook can be removed, as most likely is an eMMC soldered onto the motherboard.
You can verify it by

  1. Pressing ctrl + alt + t keys to open crosh. ...
  2. Type storage_test_1 into crosh, and then press enter. ..
If the test starts, then there is an SSD in (VERY old Chromebooks may still have them).
If a message "Command not found" is displayed no SSD exists.
 
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