I carry Windows, Linux, and repair tools in my pocket: Here is how
I carry Windows, Linux, and repair tools in my pocket: Here is how
https://www.howtogeek.com/external-ssd-changed-how-i-use-pc/
Publish Date: 2026-01-29 15:30:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
Most of the time, you’re locked into just one operating system, and if you switch to a different computer, you can’t take your favorite programs with you. That limits what you can do, and if you experience a technical problem, you could be in trouble. One NVMe SSD and an inexpensive USB enclosure changed all of that for me.
I can boot from any operating system
Every operating system has its perks, quirks, and downsides, and you’re usually stuck with one, or maybe two if you went through the trouble of setting up your PC to dual boot.
However, with my external SSD, I can boot from as many operating systems I want with the push of a few buttons. Like Windows for the apps that are still exclusive to it? No problem. Like Linux for the customizability and privacy it offers? You can have that too.
Normally, when you boot your PC, the operating system is loaded from a storage drive physically located inside your PC. However, that isn’t strictly necessary—you can boot from an external device.
I used Ventoy to configure my external SSD so that I can boot from almost any operating system out there. Whenever I want to try a new operating system, all I need do is copy the operating system ISO file onto the drive. Normally, I keep ISOs for Windows 10 and 11, Kubuntu, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Kali on there at all times, so they’re available if I need or want them.
Corrupted operating system? No problem
One of the most aggravating problems you can run into is a corrupted operating system. Sometimes that can happen as a result of user error, other times it happens because of malware or an update.
Regardless of the cause, there is usually only one reliable fix: reinstall the operating system. If you’re lucky, the built-in tools can handle this for you automatically. Windows 10 and 11 are certainly more capable of fixing themselves than older versions of Windows were.
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