can you install and run an operating system or any other kind of software off of this drive?
2041836
Linux, Unix, & some other efficient OS's yes. You can even run versions of Linux off a thumb drive, CD, or DVD. Windows or Mac OS's, no. For maximum speed & performance, you're better off putting the OS on a smaller internal drive (or on a separate patition of the internal drive), & using the larger internal or external drive for storage & back-up. The internal drive will run & transfer data much faster than a USB one. Write times would be painfully slow running an OS from a USB device or disk, read times not too bad, but still slower than an internal drive.
2041837
That would depend on whether or not your system bios supports using a usb drive as the systems primary drive or if you have a utility installed on your primary drive that will let you select between multiple operating systems and supports usb drives. Chances for both are likely to be no, but this is for all usb drives, not just this one.
689382
You will need to install an OS and drivers, but you are able to run right out of the box.
1416195
there is no operating system installed in this model. I use Win7 and works great
1013603
Maybe. The form factor is ok, but I don't know, if this system can use the drive.
2030881
Sure. it just a HDD with some free software from WD. No need to install this software or keep it on a HDD ;)
110599
No, it's an unformatted drive with no software loaded. You will need your own software to load.
1107597
As long as it is 5.25 inch, yes you can. You can install up to 3 of those drives. You can also install your OS using a USB drive.
258071
U can use a cloning software... I use Acronis backup... or if u r doing a clean install u will need ur original disks and take out ur old drive and put that one in and run the install of ur OS
639799
Yes it can. In fact it came without any operating systems so I had to download everything myself.
168283
no you dont...just use your preexisting disc, or software. if you have the software, you can burn it on a disc or put it in a bootable usb drive.make sure you back up everything on your hard drive, cos the system will delete everything so it can be installed on the hard drive.ive had the problems many times, but for some reason, one day, my hard drive was able to have windows on it...
1481696
Pete is absolutely wrong. YES you can upgrade the operating system. You will have to back up all of your data that you do not want to loose. You will have to create a bootable install disk or USB. You can even install windows on the system if you like, which is what I would do.
373289
No, that is a hitch. It comes without an operating system. If you can get your hands on W7 / W8 disc then you just get an external DVD drive, install for me was a breeze.
1124565
I don't think it uses any specific operating system as there is no need to install it. I have Windows 7 and all I had to do was just hook it up.
850391
If this is a relatively new computer with an up to date operating system, nothing other than using any disc that came with the drive and an open slot in the case for mounting. Windows should do the rest.
621741
I purchased one of these, and it came with Windows XP professional installed. You could, of course, install any operating system you choose....Windows, Linux, or MS-DOS if you wanted....It's your hardware!
1038705
Yes. I am running my OS on this drive. I had to switch to legacy boot mode to get it to work.
1735840
yes, all it is an external drive, so it would not run an operation system, but you can retrieve data off of it like a usb tumb drive and use it as extra storage for acomputer.