Forum Discussion
JacksonRobertson
Jan 13, 2025Iron Contributor
How to Install Windows 10 on USB drive?
Hi,
I’ve previously created bootable USB drives using the Windows Media Creation Tool, but these primarily serve as installation media rather than allowing me to run Windows 10 directly from the USB.
Now, I'm interested in setting up a full Windows 10 environment on the USB, similar to the Windows To Go feature, but I understand that Windows To Go has some limitations and might not be officially supported in newer versions. How can I install Windows 10 on USB?
My goal is to create a portable version of Windows 10 that I can carry with me and use to boot different computers, ensuring that my settings and data persist across sessions.
- PoyrmontIron Contributor
Performance and stability can be challenging if you tend to install Windows 10 on a USB drive. You may encounter slower read/write speeds compared to internal SSDs or HDDs, which can affect the overall responsiveness of the system.
Additionally, driver compatibility issues might arise when booting the USB on different hardware configurations, potentially leading to system instability. Regular backups and ensuring that the USB drive is securely stored can help mitigate data loss and maintain a reliable portable Windows environment.
- SofiamilllIron Contributor
When installing Windows 10 on a USB drive, it's crucial to use a high-quality, high-speed USB 3.0 or higher drive with ample storage—preferably 128GB or more. Faster USB drives ensure smoother performance and quicker boot times, which are essential for a usable operating system experience. Additionally, ensure that the target computer supports booting from USB and that the BIOS or UEFI settings are correctly configured to prioritize USB booting.
Selecting the right tools is another important factor for installing Windows 10 to USB. While Windows To Go was an official feature for creating portable Windows environments, it has been deprecated in recent Windows versions. Instead, third-party software can help create a portable Windows installation. It's also essential to verify that your Windows license permits running the OS from a USB drive, as some licenses have restrictions on portability and usage.
- VivianieIron Contributor
So you want to install Windows 10 on USB drive using the command line method. Running Windows from a USB drive can be pretty slow compared to installing it on an SSD or HDD. USB drives, especially older ones, have lower read and write speeds, which can make everything feel sluggish. You’ll definitely notice it when booting up and launching applications. USB drives aren’t designed for constant read/write cycles like an SSD. If you’re running an OS off of it, you might wear it out faster. This could lead to the drive failing or corrupting your installation. Not fun!
If you’re using a USB drive that’s just above 16GB, space will become an issue quickly. Windows 10 itself takes up quite a bit of space, and you will have very little left for any applications or files. Sometimes booting from USB can lead to hardware compatibility issues, especially if the target machine has specific drivers that need to be delved into post-installation. You may find yourself needing more troubleshooting than expected.
While technically you can carry your Windows installation around, using it on different machines might lead to licensing issues since Windows is often tied to the original hardware it’s activated on. If something goes wrong while you're working on this USB Windows installation, you won’t have the usual recovery options readily available compared to a traditional install. You might need another USB or disk to recover your system.
Microsoft used to have a nifty feature called Windows To Go designed for running Windows from a USB stick. Unfortunately, it's not officially supported anymore in recent Windows 10 versions, but if you can find an older version of Windows 10 Enterprise, it might still be a viable option.
- EommyIron Contributor
I want to share my recent experience of success and failure! I have always wanted to install Windows 10 on a USB, but I tried a lot of tools at first, but either failed or was annoyed by all kinds of ads. Later, I found that I could use the built-in Hyper-V function of Windows to simulate the installation and then deploy it on USB, and the effect was amazing!
Here are my complete steps, which are super simple. I only used official tools throughout the process, which is absolutely clean and safe. If you also want to know how to install Windows 10 on USB, keep reading!
Install Windows 10 on USB with Hyper-V: Simple Steps
- Enable Hyper-V
- Open "Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off", check "Hyper-V", and then restart your computer.
- Create a new virtual machine in "Hyper-V Manager", load the ISO file of Windows 10, and complete the system installation in the virtual machine.
- Insert a 32GB or larger USB, formatted as NTFS. Run with the command prompt in administrator mode:
dissm /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"C:\Path\install.wim" /Index:1 /ApplyDir:E:\
5. Configure USB boot
6.Configure boot command:
bcdboot E:\Windows /s E: /f ALL
Plug into another computer, set USB boot priority, and Windows 10 portable system is done!
- EmilyCowIron Contributor
When you're setting up Windows 10 on a USB drive, there are definitely a few mistakes you’ll want to dodge to make the process smooth and hassle-free. Trust me, I’ve been there, and these little oversights can turn into big headaches!
First off, formatting the USB drive correctly is super important. You want to use NTFS for drives over 4GB, especially since Windows 10 ISO files can be pretty hefty. I once tried using FAT32 and ended up hitting that annoying 4GB file size limit. So, make sure you format your USB drive to NTFS before you start the installation process.
Next up, not properly downloading the Windows 10 ISO is a classic rookie mistake. Always grab the ISO directly from Microsoft’s official site to make sure you're getting a legit copy. I’ve had my share of corrupted files from sketchy downloads, which led to all sorts of errors during installation.
Also, don’t forget to check your BIOS settings. You need to enable USB booting. I learned this the hard way when my computer just wouldn’t recognize the USB drive. So, dive into those BIOS settings and make sure USB is set as the first boot option.
Backup your data on the USB drive! If there are any important files on it, back them up elsewhere because the installation process will wipe it clean.
Finally, be patient during the installation process. It can take a bit of time, and getting impatient can lead to mistakes, like stopping the process midway or disconnecting the drive.
By avoiding these common pitfalls and sticking to official tools like Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, you'll set yourself up for success when installing Windows 10 on a USB drive. Good luck, and happy installing!
- OscarMartinezIron Contributor
Want to install a complete Windows 10 on USB and take it with you? That sounds cool, right? Although the official Windows To Go feature has stopped supporting, there are still ways to do it. Let me share two simple methods to help you easily install Windows 10 on USB drive, use it to boot different computers directly, and save data and settings.
Method 1: Use Rufus (supports Windows To Go)
Rufus is a lightweight tool that can not only create installation disks, but also support installing Windows 10 directly into USB to make a portable system.Steps:
- Download Rufus: Go to Rufus official website to get the latest version (completely free).
- Prepare USB: Insert a 16GB or larger USB (the faster the better, USB 3.0 is recommended).
- Download Windows 10 ISO file: Go to Microsoft's official website to get the official image file of Windows 10.
- Configure Rufus:
- Open Rufus and select your USB device.
- Select the ISO file and select "Windows To Go" as the mode.
- Click "Start" and the tool will automatically install Windows 10 to USB.
- Start after completion: Set the computer to start from the USB, complete the setup when running it for the first time and you can use it!
Method 2: Create a portable system using the command line
If you don’t want to use third-party tools, you can actually use the command line tools that come with Windows.Steps:
Prepare USB: Insert a USB larger than 16GB and format it as NTFS.
Mount Windows 10 ISO: Right-click the ISO file and select "Mount".
Deploy the system using the DISsM command:
Open the command prompt in administrator mode and run the following command:dissm /Apply-Image /ImageFile:D:\sources\install.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:E:\
(Replace D: with the ISO mount path and E: with the USB drive path)
Configure boot:
Enter the following command to set the USB as a bootable device:bcdboot E:\Windows /s E: /f ALL
Restart the computer to test: plug the USB into the target computer, set the BIOS to boot from USB, and you can use it after completing the configuration!
If you want to keep things simple, Rufus is the best choice for installing Windows 10 to USB. The setup is intuitive and fast. If you like to tinker, command line tools allow you to make full use of the system's built-in functions to create a portable system.
I hope these methods are helpful to you, go and try them! 🎉