How to Install Windows on an SD Card and Make it Bootable

Installing Windows on an SD card can be a game-changer, especially if you have a readily available slot on your laptop. Make sure that you have an SD card with a reasonable IOPS value. In other words, it has to have a decent read/write speed. Of course, it also need to have the right necessary storage space for the OS you choose (at least 16 GB, 32 GB recommended).

How do I install a bootable Windows on an SD card?

1. Format the SD card

1. Connect the SD card to your computer.
2. Open the Disk Management tool by right-clicking on This PC or My Computer, selecting Manage, and then choosing Disk Management.
3. Locate your SD card, right-click on it, and choose Format.
4. Select the NTFS file system and click OK.

Formatting the SD card ensures it is ready for the Windows installation process.

2. Download Windows Installation Media

1. Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool.
2. Run the tool and choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.

The Media Creation Tool will prepare the necessary files to install Windows. The example is for Windows 11, but you can also get the one for Windows 10.

3. Create the bootable SD card and change the boot order in BIOS

1. Select the language, Windows version, and architecture you need.
2. Choose USB flash drive and select your SD card from the list.
3. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing a key like F2, DEL, or ESC during boot).
4. Disable UEFI boot mode and enable Legacy Support/BIOS.
5. Change the boot order to prioritize the SD card.
6. Save the BIOS settings and exit.

Changing the boot order ensures the computer boots from the SD card first.

4. Install Windows

Your computer will restart and boot from the SD card, starting the Windows installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows installation.

This step-by-step guide helps you turn your SD card into a bootable device and install Windows on it, making it a portable operating system you can use on various computers.

Basically, there is no notable difference from making a bootable SD card or a bootable USB flash drive.

After installing Windows on your system, don’t forget to change back the boot order in BIOS.

Using a third-party tool to install Windows on an SD card

There are lot of tools out there such as EaseUS OS2Go, AOMEI Partition Assistant, or Rufus that can help you create a bootable Windows SD card. They guide you through the whole process a bit easier, but you still need to enter BIOS and change the boot order by yourself.

We also have a list of the best tools to create multi-boot drives and install multiple OSes.

How do I install Windows on a MicroSD card for Steam Deck?

1. Format the MicroSD card to NTFS using the Diskpart tool or Disk Management.
2. Download Windows ISO and Steam Deck drivers. Click on the highlighted links for the appropriate guides if you don’t know how to perform the operations.
3. Use a tool like Rufus to burn the Windows ISO to the MicroSD card.
4. Select the MicroSD card as the device, choose the ISO file, and click Start.
5. Rufus simplifies creating bootable media, which is necessary for installation.
6. Insert the MicroSD card into the Steam Deck.
7. Restart the Steam Deck and access the boot selection menu (usually by pressing a button during startup).
8. Select the MicroSD card as the boot device and install Windows.

Following these steps, you can successfully install and run Windows on your Steam Deck via a microSD card. This method lets you easily switch between SteamOS and Windows on your Steam Deck, providing flexibility for gaming and other tasks. We also have a complete guide on how to install Windows on Steam Deck if you need more information.

Troubleshooting common issues

1. SD card not recognized by Windows Creation Tool – Try using a dedicated tool to create the bootable Windows SD card. For instance, EaseUS OS2Go provides an alternative method when the standard Windows creation tool fails.
2. BIOS doesn’t recognize the SD card – Update your computer’s BIOS to the latest version. Also, ensure the SD card is properly inserted and compatible.

By following these steps, you can address common problems and ensure a smooth installation process for Windows on an SD card.

Each solution offers a detailed, user-friendly approach to installing Windows on an SD card, catering to different needs and technical proficiencies. To avoid future issues, always ensure your SD card is compatible with your device and keep your BIOS updated.