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How to create a portable Windows 11 USB drive
Before we dive into create a portable Windows 11 USB drive, it's essential to understand the difference between Windows To Go and Portable Windows.
- Windows To Go is a feature that allows you to create a portable Windows environment on a USB drive, which can be booted on any PC that supports it. Windows To Go was introduced in Windows 8, and it's still a great option for creating a portable Windows setup.
- Portable Windows, also known as a Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) image, is another method to create a bootable Windows environment on a USB drive. This approach provides a more lightweight and compact Windows setup.
Here are the best tools and utilities to create a portable Windows 11 USB drive:
1. Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT): MDT is a free tool that can be used to create a Windows To Go image. It's a powerful tool that allows you to create custom Windows images, but it might be a bit overwhelming for beginners.
2. Windows 11 Media Creation Tool: This is the official tool provided by Microsoft to download and install Windows 11. You can also use it to create a Windows To Go image on a USB drive.
3. Rufus: Rufus is a popular, open-source tool for creating bootable USB drives. It supports both Windows To Go and Portable Windows setup.
4. Windows To Go Creator: This tool specifically designed for creating Windows To Go images and has a user-friendly interface.