Create a Portable Windows 11/10/8/7 USB Drive in Two Ways

What is a Portable Windows 11/10/8/7?

Making Windows portable refers to the process of installing Windows on a portable storage device, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard drive. By doing this, you essentially create a portable version of Windows that can be used on different computers. So, how can you create a portable Windows USB? You can either utilize the built-in Windows tool called "Windows To Go" or employ a third-party portable Windows creation software.

Advantages of Creating a Portable Windows 11/10/8/7: 1. Flexibility: A portable version of Windows allows you to run the operating system on any compatible device without the need for installation. This means you can carry your personalized Windows environment with you on a USB drive and use it on different computers, making it perfect for people who frequently switch between devices. 2. No System Modifications: Installing Windows on a traditional manner involves modifying the target computer's hard drive. With a portable version, there is no risk of altering the host system's files or settings, ensuring that you don't leave any trace behind and don't disrupt the original OS. 3. Quick Boot-up: Since the operating system is stored on an external drive, booting up a portable Windows is generally faster than a full installation, especially if the USB drive is fast and has good read/write speeds. 4. Data Security: By keeping your personal files, applications, and settings on a portable drive, you have better control over your data security. You can easily disconnect the drive when not in use, reducing the chances of unauthorized access or data breaches. 5. Disaster Recovery: In case of a system crash or malware attack, having a portable Windows can be a lifesaver. You can quickly boot from the USB drive to troubleshoot, recover data, or perform maintenance tasks without affecting the compromised system. 6. Testing and Demonstration: IT professionals, developers, and enthusiasts can use a portable Windows to test software, updates, or configurations without potentially harming their main system. It's also useful for demonstrating the OS to clients or colleagues without installing it on their machines. 7. Save Disk Space: If you're running low on storage space on your primary computer, a portable Windows lets you avoid taking up valuable disk space. The operating system resides on the USB drive, leaving more room for other files and programs on your computer. 8. Privacy: When using public or shared computers, a portable Windows ensures that your browsing history, documents, and settings remain private. You can simply unplug the USB drive once you're done, leaving no personal information behind. 9. Compatibility: Most modern computers support booting from USB devices, so a portable Windows should work on a wide range of hardware, provided it meets the minimum system requirements. 10. Convenience: Having a portable Windows at hand is incredibly convenient, especially for those who work in multiple locations or need to access their personalized environment on different devices without the hassle of setting up each one individually.

The biggest perk you'll get is being able to use your customized Windows on any computer just by plugging in your USB drive. Your productivity won't miss a beat, no matter the time or place, 'cause you can take your OS with you wherever you go. So, a portable Windows 10 guarantees a seamless work, study, or leisure experience across different devices.

Moreover, a portable Windows comes in handy when your computer fails to boot. With a portable Windows at your disposal, you can successfully boot the computer and retrieve your files.

Moreover, creating a portable version of Windows is akin to making a backup of your operating system. In the event of a system crash, boot failure, corruption, or similar issues, having an exact replica of your original OS will undoubtedly provide much-needed reassurance.

Two Methods to Create Portable Windows 11/10/8/7

To create a portable version of Windows 10/8/7, you will need:

- A USB drive: USB flash drive, pen drive, or external hard drive - A functional computer

There are typically two methods: using the built-in Windows tool - Windows To Go, or a third-party software. However, there's a significant limitation on the supported Windows version with Windows To Go, which I'll explain later. Considering this, it's highly recommended to create a portable Windows 10/8/7 using a third-party software - OS2Go tools.

Method 1: Utilize the tool OS2Go

OS2Go is a portable Windows creation tool. It enables Windows to become portable by cloning your entire system (including all content on the system partition) onto a USB drive. This means you can carry your system, along with files and applications on the system partitions, using the USB drive. Unlike Windows To Go, OS2Go allows you to create a portable Windows installation regardless of the edition. This makes it a more suitable option for users of older Windows versions and those who are not using Windows Enterprise or Education editions.

How to Create Windows To Go USB Without Enterprise Edition

Using the alternative tool OS2Go, you can create a Windows To Go USB for Windows 11/10/8/7 without needing the Enterprise edition.

Download the tool OS2Go now.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Portable Windows on a USB Drive: 1. Choose a suitable USB drive: First, make sure you have a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage capacity, as the Windows operating system requires significant space. It's recommended to use a USB 3.0 or higher for faster performance. 2. Backup your USB drive: Before proceeding, back up any important data on the USB drive, as the process will erase all existing files. 3. Download the Windows ISO file: Visit the official Microsoft website and download the desired version of Windows (Windows 10, 11, etc.) in ISO format. You'll need a valid product key to activate it later. 4. Install Rufus: Download and install Rufus, a popular and reliable tool for creating bootable USB drives. You can get it from the official website (https://rufus.ie/). 5. Launch Rufus: Connect the USB drive to your computer and open Rufus. It should automatically detect the drive. Make sure the "Device" dropdown menu shows your USB drive. 6. Configure Rufus settings: - Under "Boot selection," click the CD/DVD icon and select the downloaded Windows ISO file. - For "Partition scheme," choose either MBR (for older systems) or GPT (for newer UEFI-based systems). - For "File system," select "FAT32" or "NTFS," depending on your preference. FAT32 is more compatible but has a 4GB file size limit. - Leave other settings at their default values. 7. Start the creation process: Click the "Start" button, then confirm the warning message that appears. Rufus will now create a bootable Windows USB drive. This process may take some time, depending on your USB drive speed. 8. Boot from the USB drive: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the relevant key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del, depending on your system). Set the USB drive as the first boot device, then save and exit. 9. Install Windows: Your computer should now boot from the USB drive, and you'll see the Windows setup screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on your computer. Note that this will not affect your current operating system if you're using a separate partition or a virtual machine. 10. Activate Windows: Once the installation is complete, you'll need to activate Windows using your product key. You can do this through the Settings app or by contacting Microsoft support. Now, you have a portable Windows installation on your USB drive, which you can use on any compatible computer by following steps 8 and 9.

Step 1. Install the OS2Go tool on your Windows computer, which will display the used space on your system drive. Insert a USB drive with a capacity larger than the system drive's used space. Select the target USB drive and click Next to proceed.

Step 2. OS2Go will warn you that the following operation will delete all data on your drive. Make sure you've backed up all important data. Click Continue to proceed.

Step 3. Adjust disk layout. The default disk layout on the target drive will be identical to the source drive. You can also customize the layout to suit your needs. Check the option provided if you're using an SSD as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

Step 4. OS2Go will then begin creating the portable USB drive. This process may take a while, depending on your operating system and network conditions. Once the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive will be bootable.

Step 5. Insert the portable Windows USB and start your computer. Press the necessary key (F2, DEL, F10...) to enter BIOS. Select to boot from the USB drive.

Note: Please ensure that the boot mode (either UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and the target computer are identical, or else you may not be able to boot from it.

Now you've successfully created a portable Windows on your USB drive, and you can use it to run your system on any available computer. If you ever need to perform an OS migration, you can follow the same steps above to accomplish the task.

Method 2: Use Windows To Go

Alternatively, you can also create a portable Windows 10/8 using Windows To Go. Windows To Go is a feature in these specific Windows editions that enables you to create a Windows To Go workspace on a USB drive. By booting a computer from this USB drive, you can utilize the Windows To Go workspace, which is essentially an image of the system on which you created the portable Windows. However, there's an important limitation to consider: Your computer must be running Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise, or Windows 10 Education. If your computer does not meet this requirement, opt for the tool-based solution instead.

For detailed instructions on creating a portable Windows 10/8 on a USB drive, refer to the official guide provided by Microsoft.

Knowledge Base

For your information, there are two pertinent issues regarding the current topic.

"Install Windows on USB" versus "Install Windows from USB"

Some users might be unclear about the distinctions between installing Windows on a USB and installing Windows from a USB. Installing Windows on a USB means creating a portable version of Windows 10 on a compatible storage device, similar to what is described in this article. On the other hand, installing Windows from a USB involves creating Windows installation media that is utilized to install or reinstall Windows on a separate computer. This installation media can be either a USB flash drive or a DVD. To create Windows installation media, you will require a computer, a USB flash drive or DVD, a Windows product key, and the Media Creation Tool provided by Microsoft.

System Transfer refers to the process of migrating or transferring the entire operating system, including its settings, applications, and data, from one computer or device to another. This can be done for various reasons, such as upgrading to a new device, replacing a faulty system, or duplicating an existing setup. The transfer usually involves using specialized software or tools to ensure a seamless transition of the system's components to the new hardware.

Aside from creating a portable Windows 10 on a USB drive, there's another method to utilize your system on a different computer without needing to reinstall it. This is called system transfer. Unlike using a portable device, you can only run the original system on the target device. System transfer is particularly useful when you're transitioning from your old computer to a new one.