how to make a usb drive bootable windows 8

At 1.7GB, it’s a significant download, and you’ll have to use your Microsoft Account to download the file. Now you need to download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7, named KB3AIK_EN.ISO The preparative work on the USB drive is complete. C:> DISKPARTĭiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.ĭiskPart successfully formatted the volume.ĭiskPart marked the current partition as active. To set up the USB drive, follow the Diskpart commands below. To begin, insert the USB drive into a USB slot on your computer and open a Windows command prompt in Admin mode. Whether you already own a 32GB USB (or larger) drive or you purchase one new for this project matters little because you have to wipe it clean before use, so be sure Windows To Go is what you want on this drive before you start.

Here, I describe how to create Windows To Go on a budget. If, however, you need a full, official W2G image with all of the features promised by a certified drive, then use the built-in Windows To Go Control Panel applet to create your masterpiece. If you’re using it as a portable desktop system, you have achieved your goal. What you do have is a fully functional Windows 8 system that’s bootable from the USB drive. Although you can install applications on the disk, you have to sync your purchased apps manually. Not using a Microsoft-certified USB disk comes with a few, potentially deal-breaking shortcomings: It’s not an official Windows To Go image, and you don’t get your personal (purchased) apps or other personalizations on installation. Western Digital My Passport Enterprise – US$ 110Ĭompared with the SanDisk Cruzer 32GB I used for this article – US$ 20 at a local discount store – they’re all very expensive.Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate – US$ 50+.The list of Microsoft-certified USB drives for Windows 8 W2G is very short: In this article, I’ll answer all of your questions about Windows To Go on Windows 8. The first question that comes to mind is, “Why would I want or need such a thing as W2G?” The second is, “How do I create a W2G USB drive?” Once you have the USB drive in hand – or in pocket – many other questions arise about licensing, portability, and security. Windows To Go (W2G) is one of those topics that leaves everyone a little puzzled at first mention.

How to make a usb drive bootable windows 8