The Best Windows To Go Alternative Free Download
You may need to run your Windows OS on another computer, such as when you need to access a specific program or file, or when you're troubleshooting an issue with your primary machine. In such cases, you can use a virtualization software like VirtualBox or VMware to create a virtual machine (VM) that can run your Windows OS, allowing you to access your files and programs from another computer.
- You want to run Windows-specific games or apps on your Mac
- To set up exact Windows settings on your work or personal PC, you can follow these steps:
- You want to use a virtual machine to create a sandboxed environment where you can work without leaving any traces on the host computer, and you can easily reset or delete the virtual machine if needed.
Microsoft created Windows To Go, a feature that enables you to transfer your Windows OS to a USB drive, creating a portable Windows environment.
Microsoft ended support for the Windows bootable USB feature after May 2020, meaning it's no longer available for use.
While Windows To Go is no longer a viable option for running Windows on portable devices, there are alternative solutions available. One such alternative will be discussed in this post, providing a viable option for users looking to run Windows on portable devices.
So, let's get started.
What's Windows To Go Creator?
Windows To Go is a Windows feature that allows you to run Windows on any computer, regardless of its operating system, by creating a portable replica of your Windows workspace that can be run on another desktop or laptop.
Windows To Go is only available for select Windows OS versions, including Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education, and Windows 10 Enterprise. However, it was discontinued for Microsoft users in updates prior to May 2020.
The article "How to Create a Windows To Go USB Without Enterprise Edition" provides a step-by-step guide on creating a portable Windows environment on a USB drive without needing the Windows Enterprise Edition. The process involves downloading the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) and the Windows 10 ISO file, creating a bootable USB drive, and using the Windows To Go feature to create a portable Windows environment.
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Technical Specifications of Host Computer to Support Windows To Go
- USB boot enabled computer system
- A processor of 1 GHz or faster
- At least 2 GB or greater RAM
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.2 or greater driver
- USB 2.0 port or greater
Why Do You Need Windows To Go Alternative
Windows To Go is a free feature by Microsoft that allows you to create a portable Windows USB drive, but it has some shortcomings that make it recommended to look for alternatives.
- Windows To Go, a feature that allows users to run a full version of Windows from a USB drive, is not supported by the latest versions of Windows, making it less practical for users.
- The new setup will require a compatible USB drive and host computer, which may increase your budget.
- Windows To Go does not support various typical desktop Windows features, including automatic hibernation and sleep mode, as well as features like TPM and Windows Recovery Environment mode.
Best Alternative for Windows To Go for Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7
The limitations of Windows To Go have led to a search for a reliable alternative. A suitable solution should be affordable, efficient, and address the challenges of obtaining a certified USB drive or Enterprise edition, making it a viable option for those seeking to run Windows on a USB drive.
Qiling OS2Go is a powerful alternative to Windows To Go that allows users to create a portable Windows To Go USB drive with ease. This intuitive tool supports all the latest Windows versions, including Windows 11, making it a convenient option for those looking to create a portable Windows environment.
Qiling OS2Go allows you to easily travel with your Windows environment in your pocket, addressing the shortcomings of Windows To Go and offering additional benefits such as.
- Allow you to run Windows-specific games or applications on Mac like Minecraft
- You can run Windows 11 on any old or unsupported computers by using a virtual machine software like VirtualBox or VMware, which creates a virtual environment that mimics a real computer, allowing you to install and run Windows 11 on an unsupported machine. This way, you can still use Windows 11 on your old computer, even if it's not officially supported.
- You can access all features of Windows and personal data on another computer, such as a laptop or tablet, by using Remote Desktop. This feature allows you to remotely control and access your Windows computer from another device, as long as both devices are connected to the same network or have a stable internet connection.
- Provide quick services without any obstacles
- It helps to save your Windows management costs
- The software is easy to download and install on your computer.
- You can create a Windows To Go environment using a non-certified USB drive, as Qiling supports all USB brands.
- The software offers seamless integration with all USB drives, compatible with both Windows PC and Apple Mac.
- Qiling provides 24*7 email support to their customers
How to Use Qiling Windows To Go Alternative to Create Portable Windows 11/10 USB Drive
If you're excited to create a portable Windows experience using Qiling, follow these steps to easily put Windows OS in your pocket:
Step 1. To install Qiling OS2Go on your Windows computer, it will display the used space on your system drive. Next, plug in a USB drive that is larger than the system drive's used space. Choose the target USB drive and click Next to continue with the installation process.
Step 2. Qiling OS2Go will notify you that the operation would delete all data on your drive, so make sure to back up your important data before proceeding with the "Continue" button.
Step 3.Adjust the disk layout to match the resource drive's layout, or customize it to your needs. If using a Solid State Drive as the Windows bootable drive, select the corresponding option and click Proceed.
Step 4.Qiling OS2Go will start creating the portable USB drive, a process that may take some time depending on your operating system and network conditions. Once the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive will be bootable and ready for use.
Step 5. To boot from a portable Windows USB, start your computer, press the required key (F2, DEL, F10...) to access BIOS, and choose to boot from the USB disk.
Note: To ensure a smooth booting process, it's crucial that both the portable USB drive and the target computer have the same boot mode - either UEFI or Legacy. If they differ, the booting process may not be successful.
Sum Up
Windows To Go, a feature that allowed running Windows on another computer without installation, is no longer available from Microsoft, making it an outdated option today.
Thanks to Qiling OS2Go software, you can now create Windows bootable USB drives to run on Mac or other Windows computers, making it easy to create portable Windows USB drives that support all USB brands.
You can try a free Qiling OS2Go trial to test its features and create a portable USB drive.
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