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Help installing Ubuntu on external ssd without dual boot

gd flag

I want to install Ubuntu on an external ssd that is plugged in through usb. I read about a bug that installs the boot on the windows 10 drive and I dont want that. I want to boot into Ubuntu when the external ssd is connected and into Windows when its disconnected. I read about some ways to work around this, but I am not sure which way that will be best.

Thanks, Jimmy

sudodus avatar
jp flag
I recommend that you unplug the internal drive. Then the install process cannot tamper with it. Instead it will [install everything, including the bootloader, into the external SSD](https://askubuntu.com/questions/16988/how-do-i-install-ubuntu-to-a-usb-key-without-using-startup-disk-creator/942312#942312). - A quick and easy alternative without unplugging is to [extract a cloned (and compressed) image](https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/UEFI-and-BIOS) of an installed Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system directly into the external SSD, but then you must trust me (who made the image).
kokoskorven avatar
gd flag
Yeah, I was thinking about that too. So I opened up my pc and discovered its a M2 ssd and I dont know how to take that out. Will check your link.
sudodus avatar
jp flag
There is usually one screw that is fixing an M2 stick. It is not too difficult to unplug and plug back. I think you can find good tutorials via the internet about it. Of course be careful and avoid static electricity. But you may still want to avoid it.
cc flag
Check your UEFI Settings/BIOS too, you may be able to disable the internal disk there without disconnecting anything (but you have to trust the firmware then!).
kokoskorven avatar
gd flag
Thanks all for the help. I tried to install through mkusb, but it says there is no suitable drive. Is it because I am on Ubuntu through virtual box?
sudodus avatar
jp flag
Yes I think so. It can be tricky to get access to USB drives from VirtualBox. You should run Ubuntu from a separate physical drive. You can install mkusb into a live USB pendrive (live-only cloned drive or a persistent live drive). You can use [Rufus](https://rufus.ie) in Windows to create a live Ubuntu system in a USB pendrive.
oldfred avatar
cn flag
My M.2 is underneath screwed in motherboard & back panel of case is not easily removed. But I do have a setting to "disable" a drive, which is like unplugging it. But some other work arounds. Remove esp flag from Windows before install to second or external drive - Tim Richardson https://askubuntu.com/questions/16988/how-do-i-install-ubuntu-to-a-usb-key-without-using-startup-disk-creator/1056079#1056079 Posted work around to manually unmount & mount correct ESP during install #55 or( #23 & #26) https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+bug/1396379 Do partition in advance with ESP.
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