[How To] : Create Windows 8 To Go Usb

stoyandim

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Dec 19, 2010
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www.dimitech.eu
[How To] : Create Windows 8 To Go Usb

Windows To Go is new feature included in Windows 8 by Microsoft and it allows you to install Windows 8 on your USB flash drive or USB external hard drive and then you can run Windows 8 from that Windows To Go USB on any Windows 7 capable PC without affecting its current OS installation.

Here - http://bit.ly/Sg6FDO - is the guide. This is the easiest way to do it :)

If I helped you please click thanks ;)
 
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e.mote

Senior Member
Feb 16, 2011
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The WTG guide is pretty simple. No need to link to external sites (that in your case people can't get to). No need for IAK or imagex, either. You can use dism that comes with Win7/8.

The below works for all Core/Pro/Ent, albeit Ent has a wizard, so it's easier.

1. Extract INSTALL.WIM from Win8 ISO.

2. Partition USB key/HD as a primary/active partition. Format w/ NTFS. For flash (USB key) may need to use 3rd-party partitioning prg, as MS' DiskMgr is limited.

3. From Admin command prompt (use WinKey-X shortcut):

DISM /apply-image /imagefile:[path]\install.wim /applydir:[USB_drive:]\ /checkintegrity /verify /index:# [1=Pro,2=Core]

BCDBOOT [USB_drive:]\windows /s [USB_drive:] /f all
 
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SferaDev

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Jun 28, 2012
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Yes I used the imagex and bcdboot method and worked ! But the system works very very slow in my usb 2.0 pen drive !

I'm trying to reduce the apps inside it an dthe non used utilities in the install.wim to make it better to work !

See you !
 

e.mote

Senior Member
Feb 16, 2011
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Suggest getting a small USB hard drive. You get more space, better (random-write) performance, and there is no flash-wear effect. USB keys aren't made to accommodate Windows which does lots of writes.

Yep, a lot of bloat that can be cleaned out in Win8, just like in Win7 and Vista before it. I think we'll see peeps working on optimizing this before long.

You only need install.wim & imagex/dism once. Once you have an WTG install, you can image it with any imaging tool.

Not yet sure how activation will work on a WTG install. We'll know in 30.
 

SferaDev

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jun 28, 2012
1,602
3,494
0
sferadev.github.io
Suggest getting a small USB hard drive. You get more space, better (random-write) performance, and there is no flash-wear effect. USB keys aren't made to accommodate Windows which does lots of writes.

Yep, a lot of bloat that can be cleaned out in Win8, just like in Win7 and Vista before it. I think we'll see peeps working on optimizing this before long.

You only need install.wim & imagex/dism once. Once you have an WTG install, you can image it with any imaging tool.

Not yet sure how activation will work on a WTG install. We'll know in 30.
It's volume activation ! Waiting for online kms servers

Sent from my RK29 tab...
 

vee1287

Member
Oct 12, 2011
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Kennesaw
www.facebook.com
I think the windows to go option is only available on the enterprise edition....
Yes, it is only enterprise edition. It is awesome minue the face you have to edit the group policy to be able to use bitlocker. But I read to use it on multiple computers you have to have some sort of vdi or purchase multiple licenses and its limited to 4 computers? If anyone has any info or hacks for that let me know!


ALSO that being said, please guys, get the kingston ultimate data traveler g3 64GB!!! It is at a good price on amazon right now. Its a certified drive which basically means its enterprise and can handle the high amount of reads and writes. Not to mention its cheap for a usb 3.0 drive, much less a top of the line enterprise drive!!!!!!!!! :D
 

jPush

Member
Aug 8, 2013
38
0
0
The WTG guide is pretty simple. No need to link to external sites (that in your case people can't get to). No need for IAK or imagex, either. You can use dism that comes with Win7/8.

The below works for all Core/Pro/Ent, albeit Ent has a wizard, so it's easier.

1. Extract INSTALL.WIM from Win8 ISO.

2. Partition USB key/HD as a primary/active partition. Format w/ NTFS. For flash (USB key) may need to use 3rd-party partitioning prg, as MS' DiskMgr is limited.

3. From Admin command prompt (use WinKey-X shortcut):

DISM /apply-image /imagefile:[path]\install.wim /applydir:[USB_drive:]\ /checkintegrity /verify /index:# [1=Pro,2=Core]

BCDBOOT [USB_drive:]\windows /s [USB_drive:] /f all

May i know what is index 1-pro 2-core what is this ? What should i select ? 1 or 2

Got this replay ...
Command Prompt said:
F:\sources>DISM /apply-image /imagefile:install.wim /applydir:e:\ /checkintegrity /verify /index:1

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.2.9200.16384


Error: 87

The apply-image option is unknown.
For more information, refer to the help by running DISM.exe /?.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log
 
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