Guide to connect and start with Windows To Go

Windows To Go, what is it?

Thanks to the enterprise version of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, called Windows 8(.1) Enterprise, we will have access to the function Windows To Go, a portable version of our Windows that we can install on external drives certified by Microsoft, whether they are USB Pen Drives or an external USB hard drive. It is an ideal system for the IT departments of a company to personalize the workspace of their employees.

As of now, there are several units certified by Microsoft from brands as varied and well-known as Imation, Kingston, SPYRUS, Super Talent, and Western Digital. We will find more detailed information about these units on the official website dedicated to Windows To Go.

Where can we use it?

The clear advantage of using Windows To Go is being able to have a complete and fully functional version of Windows 8 without relying on a mount given hardware.

Despite this, Windows To Go is not intended to replace a Windows 8 operating system installed on conventional hardware, it is clearly indicated for use in working environments corporate specials: work from home, corporate BYOD policies, and use in locations outside of our environment.

We can put some examples:

If we are at home, we can use it on a desktop computer or a family member's laptop.
If we are at work, we have the same environment with the simple gesture of connecting the USB device to any computer in the office.
If we are on a trip, finding a sufficiently powerful and adapted computer (in a cyber-café, for example), already we will have access to our entire Windows 8 session, ready to work on it.

Why use Windows To Go?

The best thing about Windows To Go is that we can install programs in our session to work with them and we won't find any security problems: we can encrypt access thanks to BitLocker, so that no one outside will be able to access without the password.

We will not have access to the hard drives of the system where we connect the USB device, so there is no danger of modifying files in the system original (which can even be Windows 7).

All these details increase employee productivity and allow companies to save costs(use multiple Windows To Go environments on the same computer) and stay productive on special occasions.

How do I create a Windows To Go drive?

To create a Windows To Go drive ourselves, we will need, on the one hand, a USB device certified by Microsoft (of the mentioned above), and on the other hand, a DVD or disk image of Windows 8(.1) Enterprise, which will be required throughout the installation.

When we have the device connected to a USB port of the computer where we perform the installation, it is recommended that it have an interface USB 3.0, we will look for the Windows To Go application on our Windows system.

To do this we only have to access the application search engine of the system (press Windows + W) and search for the terms “ Windows To Go”.Once the application is executed, we will be asked to indicate the destination removable storage unit. If the media is not certified by Microsoft, the operation will show an error alert

Next we will be required to insert the original Windows DVD or indicate where the corresponding virtual disk image is located.

From here we will begin configuring the Windows To Go system itself: we will need to set a password for BitLocker (optional, but highly recommended), and after that, it will start formatting and installing the system on the removable drive.

Once the data copy process is finished (it will take a few minutes to complete), we will be asked if we want to restart and enter Windows To Go mode or leave it for another time.

Starting Windows To Go

We already have our Windows To Go device ready to work on any computer, but how to do it?

We must make it clear that almost all current computers should be able to run Windows To Go without problems, but that doesn't mean we don't find difficulties in the process :

We must have a computer that covers the minimum hardware requirements (those compatible with Windows 7 or Windows8, for example): Capacity of USB boot, 1 GHz or higher processor, 2 GB RAM, Directx 9 supported graphics device, USB 2.0 ports or higher.

We must configure the boot so that runs from the USB drive: by default, computers usually boot from the hard disk or a optical drive (DVD/CD) in a preset order, it would be necessary to enter our BIOS or UEFI interface and set the boot sequence accordingly.

Windows To Go will not run on Windows RT systems or Mac systems.

Windows To Go mode operation

Windows To Go has a remarkable fluidity, our work will not be affected by running a system on an external device thanks to the high transfer speed of the new USB 3.0 drives.

Once inside Windows To Go, we will be asked for the BitLocker key to start the system. Once inside the session, we will verify that we do not have access to the application store, nor will we be able to update, recover or restore the work area. To perform these processes it would be necessary to recreate a drive Windows To Go.

We will not have the hibernation function enabled and we will not have access to the hard drives installed on the computer, as we mentioned at the beginning.

If we accidentally eject the drive where Windows To Go is stored, the system will be frozen for 60 seconds If we reinsert the drive, its execution it will continue at the same point where it left off (if you are watching a video the effect will be more noticeable). If we do not reinsert the unit after that 60 second period, the system will automatically shut down.