Can I Install Windows from Windows To Go USB?
Many Windows users wonder that they can install Windows from Windows To Go USB. The simple answer is NO. Microsoft developed the feature of Windows To Go to help users create a portable system copy on an external USB drive. However, the feature has been removed from various versions of Windows. And the feature requires certain types of USB devices, it is no longer supported by OEMs. If your demand is to install Windows, you can use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.
How to Create a Bootable USB with Windows Media Creation Tool?
Windows Media Creation Tool is one of the crucial utility tools developed by Microsoft to aid users in creating a bootable USB. In simple terms, it allows all Windows users to download a Windows ISO file into an external USB drive to make the USB drive an installation media. The bootable USB can be further used for various situations such as bootup failures, system reinstallation, and more. However, there are certain things that users have to arrange before using Windows Media Creation Tool. The list includes:
- Blank USB Drive: Windows Media Creation Tool does not require a certified USB drive. You can use a blank USB drive with at least 8GB of space.
- Windows Product Key: Users must have a valid Windows product key which they would have received at the time of purchase. The Windows product key will give you access to copy the OS into the USB drive.
- Internet Access: For the entire process, make sure you have a stable internet connection.
Once you are ready, follow the steps below to create a bootable USB drive:
Step 1. Visit the Microsoft site to download and install the Windows Media Creation Tool.
Step 2. Once the software is downloaded, open the tool and read the terms. Click on Accept and proceed forward.
Step 3. Under the second Window, you will see two options, click on Create Installation Media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) option and click next.
Step 4. Select the language, Windows Edition, and Architecture in the next Window. You can also use the recommended options for this PC option.
Step 5. Select the USB flash drive for the installation process.
Step 6. Once the external USB drive is read, the utility tool will start the process.
Step 7. Click on the Finish button, and your USB bootable drive will be ready. You can use the USB drive to boot up your system and install the operating system.
How To Create a Windows To Go USB?
Windows To Go is another Microsoft feature that enables users to create a portable Windows system USB drive. However, there are many limitations with Windows To Go. For example, only Windows 8/10 Enterprise and Education versions have this feature; users are only allowed to use certificated USB drives. Alternatively, you can use the Qiling OS2Go to create a portable USB drive.
Step 1. Install Qiling OS2Go on your Windows computer, it will display your system drive's used space. Plug in a USB drive that is larger than the system drive used space. Choose the target USB drive and click Next to continue.
Step 2. Qiling OS2Go will notify you that the following operation would delete all data on your drive. Make sure that you have backed up all the important data. Click the Continue button to proceed.
Step 3. Adjust disk layout. The default disk layout on the target drive will be exactly the same as the resource drive. You could also edit the layout according to your needs. Tick the option there if you're using a Solid State Drive as the Windows bootable drive. Next, click Proceed.
Step 4. Then Qiling OS2Go will start to create the portable USB drive. It usually takes a while depending on your OS and Network condition. When the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable now.
Step 5. Insert the portable Windows USB and start your computer. Press the required key (F2, DEL, F10...) to access BIOS. Choose to boot from the USB disk.
Note: Please make sure that the boot mode (UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and your target computer are the same, otherwise you may not be able to boot.
Conclusion
The steps to create a bootable USB drive are simple in Windows Media Creation Tool. Apart from creating a bootable USB drive, you can use the third-party tool - Qiling OS2Go to create a portable Windows USB drive. With a portable Windows drive, you can use your system anytime and anywhere. If you create a Windows 11 portable USB drive, you can even use Windows 11 on an unsupported computer.
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