Building a Windows 8 bootable USB with Windows To Go Creator allows you to run a Windows 8 environment on any computer.
“Windows To Go” is a feature that was originally put forward by Microsoft. And it was embedded in Windows 8, 8.1 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education, and Windows 10 Enterprise, and allows you to install Windows in certified USB drive to boot, so that you can run the installed Windows on any other computer.
“Windows To Go” is very helpful for many business and personal Windows 8 users. When you work from home or on a business trip, it can quickly build a familiar Windows 8 environment. And if you want to run a program or game that only runs well in a certain OS, “Windows To Go” USB also helps you to deal with the incompatibility.
Next, we will show you how to build Windows 8 bootable USB with Windows To Go.
For Windows 8, 8.1 Enterprise users, you can refer to this part to make a Windows 8 Enterprise USB. And if your PC is running with other OS, and don’t have the certified USB drive, you can skip to the next part to make a bootable Windows 8 USB without Enterprise limit.
Firstly, you need to prepare a WTG certified USB with at least 32GB, and backup the drive because it will be formatted.
✍ List of WTG certified USB: ● WD My Passport Enterprise ● Kingston DataTraveler Workspace ● Super Talent RC4/ RC8 ● Imation IronKey™ Workspace W300 / W500 / W700 ● Spyrus WorkSafe ● Spyrus Portable Workplace ● Spyrus Secure Portable Workplace
Step 1. Insert the USB drive, and go “Control Panel” and find “Windows To Go”
Step 2. In the “Windows To Go” window, the USB drive is recognized and listed on the window. And click “Next”.
Step 3. And choose a Windows 8 image file.
Step 4. And decide if set a password for the Windows 8 USB. And click “Create”. It will start to make a Windows To Go workspace.
For Windows 8, Microsoft “Windows To Go” feature only supports Enterprise version. Besides, the certified USB drives are very expensive. Is there any creator that can use a normal USB drive to make a portable Windows 8 OS without Enterprise limit?
“Yes, there is”. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is such a mazing Windows To Go Creator for Windows. And it has lots of advantages over the Windows built-in Windows To Go tool.
Next, you can click download the demo version firstly, and follow the steps to see how to operate it.
Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. Click “Tools” on the top pane. Then choose “Windows To Go Creator” from the drop-down menu.
Step 2. Tick “Create Windows To Go for personal computer”, and click “Next”.
Step 3. And select the Windows 8 ISO file. And if your PC is using Windows 8 (whether it is Enterprise edition or not), choose “Create Windows To GO with current system”.
Step 4. Choose the USB in the dialog, and click “Proceed”. Then it will warn you that the data on the USB will be deleted, ensure you have backed up it, and click “Yes”.
When it is finished, you can insert the Windows 8 USB to any other computer.
When you insert the Windows 8 USB to a computer, usually, you will need to enter BIOS to set it as the boot drive. And see how to do it.
Step.1 Turn on the computer, and tap the BIOS key when the logo appears.
Step 2. When the BIOS window is launched, choose the “Boot” tab, and choose “Change boot order”.
Step 3. Select the USB drive to the top of the listed device. and save the change. And the PC will be started from the USB drive.
By contrast, AOMEI Partition Assistant is the better Windows To Go creator to build a Windows 8 USB. Besides, AOMEI Partition Assistant also can help you to create a bootable USB for repairing. If your PC encounter a boot problem, you can use such USB to boot and repair your PC. And there is AOMEI Partition Assistant Unlimited edition which covers all the features of Server version and provides unlimited usage. It is very economical for companies.