1. Introduction

Windows To Go, commonly referred to as WTG, is a feature in Windows 8 Enterprise and Windows 10 Enterprise that allows users to install the Windows operating system and applications on a portable storage device, such as a USB drive or external hard drive. This enables users to run their personal computing environment on different machines without the need to reinstall and configure the operating system and applications on each computer.

Windows To Go can run on computers that support Windows 7 or later without the need for any driver installation. This makes Windows To Go an ideal solution for temporary workplaces, mobile workstations, educational environments, labs, and other locations that require portable computing. Users can simply insert the Windows To Go storage device into any computer’s USB port and reboot the machine to start from the Windows To Go device, allowing them to run their own Windows operating system and applications. Additionally, Windows To Go devices support BitLocker encryption, Windows Remote Management, and other management tools, enabling enterprises to better manage and secure the data and system integrity of Windows To Go devices.

2. Installation

A. Preparation

1. An ISO image file of Windows 10 or 11. In this tutorial, we will use Win10 LTSC 2021 as an example.

2. Decompression software or virtual drive software. We will use UltroISO for mounting.

3. A USB drive writing tool: WTG. You can download it from GitHub: https://github.com/nkc3g4/wtg-assistant/releases

B. Tutorial for Creation:

1. Open the virtual drive software and mount the ISO image.

Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11 come with virtual drive support by default, allowing you to simply double-click the ISO file to mount it. For older systems, you can also decompress the ISO file directly.

2. Open the WTG assistant tool. Note that WTG should not be placed in a directory with Chinese characters. The software will automatically locate the install.wim file. If you decompressed the ISO, click “Browse” to locate the install.wim file in the sources directory. Then, select the drive letter of your USB drive. Next, choose the version of the system you want to install. If your ISO file contains multiple images, you’ll need to specify which one to install. For advanced options, you can leave the defaults. Then click “Deploy” to start the creation process.

Note:

1. If your USB drive is recognized as a removable disk, you can only use the VHD/VHDX mode.
2. If you are using a 2015 Mac, check the UEFI+GPT option for creation. If your USB drive does not support this mode, please refer to related tutorials on the forum.

After clicking “Deploy,” a message indicating that the USB drive will be formatted will pop up; just click “OK.” Then, you will have to wait through a lengthy creation process, which will depend on the read/write speed of your USB drive. Using a solid-state USB drive or SSD will speed up the process.

During this period, you only need to wait; no additional action is required. If you have some free time, feel free to check out other articles on our site! :cool:

3. Completion of Creation.

3. Setting Up USB Boot for the System

Insert the USB drive into the main computer, then enter the BIOS to set it to boot from the USB drive. If you’re unsure how to do this, you can refer to this article: Setting BIOS to Boot from USB Drive.

The first time you boot, you will need to complete some simple setup steps; subsequent boot-ups won’t require these actions.

And there you have it—your portable Windows operating system is ready to go!