Install Windows on external drive for Macbook

• Apple official documentation.
• Gist guide.
• Sven Kirsimae article on Medium.
• Rocket Yard blog.

Prepare drives

• Format USB flash drive:
• MS-DOS (FAT)

• Master Boot Record

• Format external drive:

• MS-DOS (FAT)
• GUID Partition Map

Note

GUID Partition Map is used by Intel-based Mac computers and will make sure the drive will be recognized and able to boot.

Install Windows with virtualbox

• Download and install Virtualbox.
• Download official Windows image.
• Insert external drive and get id (/dev/disk2) with the following command:

diskutil list

• Create virtual disk for virtualbox instance. Eject the disk via Finder and run the following command:

sudo VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename bootcamp.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/disk2

• Create new virtual machine with the following settings:
• System:
  • Enable I/O APIC
  • Enable EFI (special OSes only)
• Storage:
  • Use Host I/O Cache
• Install windows from optical disk.

Warning

Prevent automatic reboot after installation! Close the virtualbox window and select Power off the machine.

Download and install Apple Drivers

• On Macbook open Boot Camp Assistant and select Actions -> Download Windows support software.
• Save files on prepared USB-drive.
• Reboot Macbook and hold option button during loading process. Select drive with Windows and wait until installation completes.
• Insert USB-drive with Apple drivers and run setup.exe.

Update drivers

Check information about about your Macbook and download graphics drivers from manufacturer.

Macbook Pro 2017, 13 inch - Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 1536Mb.