How to Create a Windows To Go USB Drive?

The advantages of having a portable Windows are unmatched. You can keep your Windows system on a portable USB drive and use it effortlessly whenever needed. Microsoft's Windows To Go feature enables users to create a portable Windows drive. The most evident benefit users derive from creating a portable Windows is convenience, as you can carry the system around, ensuring uninterrupted workflow. However, there's a significant limitation with the Windows To Go feature. It requires running Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise, or Windows Education editions. Furthermore, you must use a Microsoft-certified USB drive. If your system has a basic Windows version, this feature might not be accessible. In such instances, users need to rely on third-party software to create a Windows portable USB drive to fulfill their work and entertainment requirements while on the go.

How to Create a Windows To Go USB?

The constraints of Windows To Go can be overcome with the assistance of third-party software. With numerous options available in the market, choosing the right software might seem overwhelming. tools OS2Go is a widely-used portable Windows utility that simplifies the process of cloning your operating system onto a USB drive without intricate procedures. Serving as an ideal alternative to Windows To Go, tools OS2Go enables users to create a portable USB without restrictions related to the Windows version. Regardless of which version of Windows you use, tools OS2Go is fully compatible with the latest Windows 11. Moreover, it does not necessitate the use of specially certified USB drives.

By following simple steps and procedures, you can create a portable Windows system drive on both enterprise and non-enterprise editions of the OS.

Step 1. Install OS2Go on your Windows computer, which will display the used space on your system drive. Insert a USB drive with a capacity larger than the used space on the system drive. 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 edit the layout to suit your needs. Check the option 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 some time, depending on your operating system and network conditions. Once the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable.

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

注意: 请确保便携式USB和目标计算机的启动模式（UEFI或Legacy）相同，否则可能无法启动。

OS2Go versus Windows Media Creation Tool

Many readers are puzzled about the differences between portable and bootable USB drives. In essence, a portable USB drive enables you to carry your own Windows system conveniently. You can boot your Windows directly from the USB drive on other computers as well. Conversely, a bootable USB drive lets you start up a computer using the file system present on the flash drive. The Windows Media Creation Tool is employed to assist in creating a bootable USB drive, which can then be utilized to reinstall Windows on the system if there are boot failures.

Conclusion

Creating a Windows To Go USB drive essentially means creating a portable USB version of your computer's operating system. Due to various limitations in using Windows To Go, the ideal solution is to opt for an alternative - OS2Go. This tool is excellent due to its extended support and user-friendly interface. If you want to create a portable Windows drive, you can utilize OS2Go to overcome the constraints found in the native Windows tool.