install windows to SD card

Windows Vista is specifically designed not to be able to install on a SD card, or an external USB drive.

You can install Windows on an internal hard drive.

Installing Vista:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-Vista

Can I assume that Windows XP would allow installation to the SD card?

What about windows 8.1 on a Hp Stream notebook 11 will it work with a SD card to do the windows recovery for it ive tried everything and its just NOT working and im going nuts it stuck in a reboot menu and nothing Ive done has helped 1 bit and the error code thats giving me so much trouble is error 0xc0000001 please help me.

If the key is on the computer case then Windows was preinstalled, and the OEM computer manufacturer is responsible for replacing your product key.

How To Obtain A Replacement Product Key

Windows Preinstalled:

If you have a lost or unreadable product key for Microsoft software that came with your computer, please contact the manufacturer of your computer to obtain a replacement. Contact information for the manufacturer of your computer can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/oemphone/

To reinstall Windows:

Reinstall Windows Preinstalled On Netbook

When Windows comes installed with the computer, OEM computer manufacturers are required to provide at least one way for you to reinstall Windows - your computer should have included either a restore partition on your hard drive, or Windows install/restore disks (you would need an external DVD drive if you have a netbook).

If the restore partition is still there and was not removed, it will reinstall Windows. There is usually a prompt when you first start the computer telling you what key to press to start the restore - check your manual if you're not sure how to.

If you restore it to factory condition, it will be like it was when you first bought it - all preinstalled programs will be installed. Anything you installed after buying it must be reinstalled. This will remove any personal files on the computer, back them up first.

If you don't have the recovery partition or install media:

Contact the OEM computer manufacturer and ask them how to reinstall Windows. If they agree to send you something, DVD or USB, they may charge a small fee. Contact information for the manufacturer of your computer can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/oemphone/

Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 are designed not to be able to install on a SD card, or an external USB drive.

They are meant to be installed on an internal hard drive.

Windows Vista Downgrade To XP On Internal Hard Drive

If it's a newer computer it might not have drivers for the older Windows system, meaning it will not work correctly.  First you would need to check with the computer manufacturer if they have XP drivers for your computer - you can go to their support website and see if they have drivers for your model.

Then you would need to use an available XP license you have, or buy a new one and install it on your computer. Insert the install disk into the computer, reboot, and start the install. During the install process you can format the Windows Vista partition then continue installing Windows. You'll have to backup your files and reinstall all your programs.

You can not use a Windows Vista key to activate XP.

Installing XP (Note - XP will only be supported until 2014):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307