Rufus vs. OS2Go: Should I Create a Bootable or Portable USB?

Bootable USB vs. Portable USB: What's the Difference?

Does the concept of a bootable and portable USB drive confuse you? You're not alone in struggling to distinguish between bootable and portable USBs. Many people often mistake them for the same thing, but that assumption is incorrect.

Both bootable and portable USBs serve their own purposes in various scenarios.

A Bootable USB or other external devices contain a bootable program that can take control of the computer. Typically, Windows ISO files are stored on bootable USB drives to initiate a clean installation of the operating system. A bootable USB is handy for recovering a failed system.

A Portable USB also carries OS frameworks, but it's not necessary to install them on the computer. By simply inserting a portable USB drive into a computer, you can run the OS stored on it on any device.

Portable USB drives are incredibly useful for running Windows-specific games or applications on Mac devices. You can easily clone the entire system onto a portable USB drive and make it bootable on other devices.

Now that we've clarified what a bootable and portable USB drive is, let's proceed to learn how to create one.

That brings us to the main subject for today: Rufus vs. tools OS2Go. Rufus is a robust tool for creating a bootable USB drive, while OS2Go is a powerful program to make a portable or bootable USB drive. Let's delve into both applications in depth.

Rufus vs. tools OS2Go: What is Rufus?

is a free software used to create a bootable USB drive. It is an extremely lightweight utility that effortlessly creates ISO disk images on USBs.

Rufus is compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7. You can download Rufus for free online and enjoy the following features:

• 100% free for both personal and commercial use
• Enables operation of legacy tools with MBR and FreeDOS
• Assists in formatting USB drives into various file systems like NTFS, UDF, FAT, ReFS, exFAT, and more
• Calculates MD5, SHA-256, and SHA-1 hashes for any selected images
• The user interface is straightforward and contemporary
• The software is lightweight, allowing it to run smoothly on laptops
• Automatic updates eliminate the need for manual updates
• Supports multiple regional languages
• Permits effortless adjustment of cluster size and more

Pros

• Superfast.
• Provides various partition and formatting options.
• Extremely lightweight software.
• Free to use.

Cons

• 只允许同时使用1个ISO。

How to Use Rufus to Create a Bootable USB Drive

Step 1. Download Rufus from and connect a clean USB with at least 8 GB of space to the computer.

Step 2. Launch Rufus on your computer, and it will automatically identify the USB drive. Click on Device > Select the USB you want to boot from the dropdown menu.

Step 3. Keep the Boot Selection option set to Disk for ISO image, then click Select. A file explorer window will open; locate the ISO image you want to burn onto the USB and select it.

Step 4. Typically, people create a Standard Windows installation that Rufus will automatically detect based on the device. Hence, keep the default settings as they are, but feel free to modify them as necessary.

Step 5. Give a name to the Volume label, or leave it as it is. Keep the File system and Cluster size settings unchanged. Then, click on Start.

Step 6. Rufus might display a warning stating that the data on the USB drive will be erased. This is normal; click OK, and Rufus will begin creating the bootable USB.

Rufus vs. tools OS2Go: What's OS2Go?

Tools OS2Go is an impressive utility that allows you to create a portable as well as a bootable Windows USB drive. With this tool, you can easily copy the Windows environment onto your USB flash drive and run it on both Windows and Mac devices.

Whether you aim to craft a portable Windows To Go USB or a bootable Windows USB for Mac, this software is poised to assist effortlessly. Notably, it is compatible with the latest Windows 11, an advantage Rufus doesn't possess.

OS2Go also introduces many other features, such as:

• Accessible from various computers, including both Mac and Windows systems
• Enables running Windows-specific programs on a Mac
• Conveniently carry your operating system in your pocket, eliminating the need for large laptops
• Portable USB drives are more cost-effective compared to hard drives
• Works with all USB brands
• Offers 24/7 premium email support, etc.

Pros

• Seamless integration.
• It can create both bootable and portable USB drives.
• Simple to use.
• Intuitive interface.
• One-click solution.
• 7 days free trial.

Cons

Not 100% free.

How to Utilize the OS2Go Tools

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

Step 2. OS2Go will warn you that the following process will erase 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 requirements. Check the option provided if you're using a Solid State Drive as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

Step 4. Then, OS2Go will 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 should be bootable.

Step 5. Insert the portable Windows USB and restart your computer. Press the necessary key (F2, DEL, F10...) to access the 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。

Wisely Choose Your Own Bootable Creation Solution

Upon understanding bootable and portable USB drives, it is evident that a bootable USB enables you to perform a clean installation, whereas a portable USB allows you to run ISO files without having to download them on another device.

Both USB drives serve their purposes in certain situations. For example, a bootable USB drive is handy for recovering a failed system, while a portable USB enables running Windows on any device, including a Mac.

Thus, it's advantageous to utilize the OS2Go tool, as it enables the creation of bootable and portable USB drives. Though it isn't free, it offers more features compared to Rufus.

We've provided a comprehensive guide comparing Rufus and OS2Go here, and now the final choice is in your hands. Make your decision wisely.