How to Run Windows From a USB Drive? - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

Windows Operating system is one of the famous OS for personal computing. Windows offers a better User Interface with support for multiple applications and utilities. You can download and use Windows for free; however, you must purchase a product key to use all features. Usually, we see Windows running on stand-alone PCs, but have you ever wondered if we can run Windows from a Pen drive and use it on the go? In this article, we will see how we can Run Windows from a USB Drive.

How to Run Windows From a USB Drive?

Users can run their Windows operating system by following the below-mentioned methods –

Method 1: Download the Bootable image

• Go to the official page of Microsoft Windows to download the boot image for Windows 10.
• Using a Computer browser you will not get the download option for boot image so use a Mobile device for downloading.
• Select edition and language and click on Confirm.

Method 2: Configure USB Drive

• Download the latest version of Rufus from the official website which will be used to flash the boot image into a USB drive.

• Insert a USB Drive of minimum 16GB of storage into the computer and run Rufus. Select the iso file for Windows 10 in Boot Selection.

• For Image Option choose Windows To Go.
• Use Partition scheme as GPT.
• Leave other fields as it is and click on Start.
• On the next screen choose the suitable Windows edition and click on OK.

• Now configure the Windows User Experience as per your requirements.
• Once done press OK.

Wait a few minutes for Rufus to flash the boot image, once completed you can close the application.

Method 3: Change Boot Priority

• Restart the computer and open BIOS Settings
• To know the BIOS key, check the manufacturer’s website.
• On the BIOS menu, go to the boot section and select USB device as the highest priority.
• Disable secure boot if you face any issues during startup.

Method 4: Setup Process

As the installation process is already completed while flashing the boot image. We will start the setup process when the computer restarts.

• Choose the region based on your location and click on Yes.

• Choose the correct keyboard layout or add a new keyboard layout and then click on Yes.

• Carefully read the Windows 10 License Agreement and click on Accept.

• Now, Create a User for the PC. Write your username and click on Next.
  
• Enter a strong password that you can remember easily and click on Next.
• Set up security questions and answers on the next screen to reset your suit passwordpassword-suitsuitpassword in case you forgot.

• On the privacy settings page, choose the options that suit you. Turn off or Turn on the features as per your requirements and click on Accept.
  

Now wait for a few minutes and Windows will complete the rest of the setup for you. During this, the PC can be restarted automatically for several times.

Method 5: Explore Windows

Once the setup is completed you will be taken to the home screen of Windows 10.

This looks the same as the Windows running on stand-alone PCs.

To check the folders you can go to File Explorer and check the C drive.

As you can see this contains the same file structure as any other Windows machine. As the whole OS is running from the USB Drive you will see only a single Drive here with the storage capacity the same as the USB Disk.

Conclusion

Using Windows from a USB Drive provides you the facility to use Windows on any computer on the go. This makes the portability of Windows better. Follow the above-given steps in the article to successfully install Windows on a USB Drive and run it. You can use all Windows features and software on this Windows running from USB.

Also Read

How to Install Windows 10 From a USB Flash Drive?

How to Create a Bootable USB Flash drive in Windows/Linux using CMD?

FAQs on How to Run Windows From a USB Drive

Is it possible to run Windows from a USB Drive?

Yes, It is possible to run Windows from a USB Drive. To do so, Choose Windows To Go type installation while flashing the boot image on a USB Disk. Follow the steps given in the article for step by step guide.

Do I need to have a product key to install Windows?

You can install and use Windows without product key. However, to use all the features and have a better experience you need to purchase a product key and activate Windows.

Can I install Games in Windows running on USB?

Yes, you can install games on Windows running on USB. But you also need to make sure that there is enough space available for the game to download and install.