Can You Install And Run Operating System from A USB Stick?

Can you install and run operating system from a USB stick? Windows allows users to install operating systems via USB, but you may not be able to run the operating system straight from the USB. This post has further information.

Posted by @Lucas December 17, 2024 Updated By @Lucas June 19, 2024

Of course you can install operating system from a USB stick. But, directly running an OS from a USB stick needs complex settings, and the OS will run extremely slow. Also, this OS will be quite unstable, and crashing frequently.

If you make a USB stick that can clean install Windows OS, you can quickly fix problems when your PC crashes. You need to create a Windows installation USB at first.

Then, you need to boot from this USB to go to setup window to install Windows on the target PC.

Some users may think whether they can create bootable USB for Windows OS. In this case, you have 2 options.

You can CMD to make a bootable USB, then you can use it as a system drive, and boot it to enter your portable Windows.

Another way, and also, the easiest way, is to try to make a Windows to go USB to realize a real portable OS on USB to run OS from USB without installing. To make a Windows to go USB, you can download AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to use your current OS or ISO files to easily create a portable Windows without device limits. You can even run Windows on your Mac PC.

Once the process finish, you can plug this portable Windows OS from USB without installing and enjoy your personal OS on any PC devices.