Create a portable version of Windows 8 without the need for any extra software
Table of contents:
Windows 8 offers all users of its Enterprise version (not available to the rest) a feature called Windows To Go. Thanks to this, we can create a fully functional copy of our user session with all its data, and run it on any type of Hardware, regardless of whether Windows is installed 8 or not; the only requirement is that it be able to run at least Windows 7.
What I need?
Unfortunately, not all USBs can be used to make use of this feature, as the list of compatible devices is reduced to a few.Therefore, we cannot use Windows To Go if we do not have a USB certified for it by Microsoft, and I also recommend that it be USB 3.0. although it is not mandatory.
However, users who are really going to use it, as well as companies, will not see this as a major inconvenience given the mobility it can offer. This allows us to have the content of our equipment at hand, without having to move the entire set and without having to worry about whether they don't have the same operating system where we are going.
We also need a Windows 8 Enterprise DVD or ISO image to perform a bootable installation on the USB. Although it seems obvious once pointed out, do not store said ISO on the USB itself because it will be erased and formatted so that it cannot be accessed.
How exactly does it work?
When the user generates a copy of their session on a USB certified for Windows To Go, this information is inaccessible to anyone who tries to read itas if it were a normal one.This data can only be read if an operating system is booted and USB is connected to that computer.
In addition, the latter when it detects that Windows To Go is being used, turns off all hard drives to avoid a crash. data transfer from USB. The objective is basically to behave like a computer that does not have a hard drive, because actually this last component is replaced by our removable device.
If the USB is disconnected from the computer, automatically the session is frozen to prevent anyone from reading the data that you had inside, and if it is not reconnected within the first minute the host computer will shut down. However, there is also the possibility to encrypt this data with BitLocker, should anyone feel the need.
Creating a Windows To Go Workspace
The first step is to connect our USB to our computer. Next, press the Windows key + W combination to access the search for configuration options, and type Windows To Go (not to be confused with the option called Change the Windows To Go startup options).
Once inside, it will show us a list of connected devices that meet the requirements of Windows To Go hardware, which as it said previously they have to be certified by Microsoft, and we choose the one we are going to use.
The next step is to select the location of our ISO or DVD of Windows 8 Enterprise, and clicking next will give us the possibility to encrypt all the contents of this USB with BitLocker, although this is optional. If we are going to use it, we will have to specify a password.
By pressing OK, the system will start to format and prepare the USB drive with the specified settings.
Final Configuration
Once it has finished, it will ask us what configuration we want to use for the computer from which we have just created a Windows To Go workspace, and after that it will restart acting as we indicate now.
Basically we are asked if we want to boot from this type of drive automatically every time it detects that there is one inserted during boot. Regardless of the option we choose now, we can always change it if we press the Windows key + W, and access the option Change Windows To Go startup options
Nice job! You already have a whole Windows 8 stuffed into a USB, and capable of being run on almost all computers on the market.
