On your computer, you use the latest version of Windows but now you have found a PC at work or somewhere else which runs the older version. And understandably, it infuriates you. But don’t worry, we are going to calm your nerves. There is a way you can use the latest version of Windows on the other PC too, with the help of just a USB device.
The USB drive needs to at least have 16GB of free space, 32GB would be better. To activate Windows 10 on the USB drive you will also need the license. You could either buy one or use the existing one from the version you are running on your computer.
To set this all up you have to use the Windows USB utility. After this is completed, you could just boot up off the drive and launch Windows 10.
The one thing that you have to keep in mind is that Windows 10 will run much slower than it does through the hard drive. This is mostly for situations where you need to urgently use the apps that are supported only on Windows 10.
There was a time when Microsoft offered its own utility tool called Windows to Go but now it doesn’t anymore.
Today we use two utility programs for this, namely WinToUSB and Rufus. You can very easily create a bootable drive from any version of the OS with these programs and that too on any USB drive.
Running Windows 10 From a USB Drive
You have to create a Windows ISO file from your present computer first, to run Windows 10 from a USB Drive. You will use this file to install the operating system onto the drive.
For this, first, surf through to the Download Windows 10 website. On this site, you will find the latest version of Windows 10.
- There, click on the Download tool now button, after this, double-click the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file and install the program.
- On the first screen, which is for Applicable notices and license terms, click on the Access button.
- Then click on the Create installation media for another PC button and click Next.
- Check if all the options are correct at the Select language, architecture, and edition screen and then click Next.
Now you have to choose the media that you want to use. You will have two options between USB Flash Drive and an ISO file. Choose the ISO file. And then click on Next.
Now find the location on the hard drive to store the Windows.iso file. The Windows 10 will then generate the necessary ISO file. Complete the process and click Finish.
How to Run Windows 10 From USB Drive Using WinToUSB
Now, it is time to enlist a third-party Windows USB program. Let’s start things with the WinToUSB. There are three different flavours of this program: Free, Professional, and Enterprise.
You can test the free version and see if you like it, but there are a few features that are only available in the paid versions. Like you can only create an installation of Windows 10 Home, but not on the Professional or Enterprise.
The Professional version is for $29.95, and the Enterprise is for $199.95. You can download and install the WinToUSB software from the dedicated website.
- After this, connect a blank USB flash drive to your computer.
- Open the WinToUSB from its Start menu shortcut.
- On the starting screen, click on the button to the right of the Image File field and choose the ISO file that you created for Windows 10.
- Now choose the version of Windows 10 you want to clone onto the USB drive.
- On the free versions you can only download Windows 10 Home versions, so select that and click Next.
- On the next screen, you need to choose the destination file.
- From the list of menus that drop-down, select your USB drive. A message comes up on the screen asking you to choose the partition scheme.
- Here click on the MBR for BIOS option and hit Yes.
- On the next screen, click on the option for Legacy and choose the Installation mode.
- Click on Next and now your Windows 10 USB drive is created.
After finishing the installation, close the WinToUSB program and remove the USB drive.
How to Run Windows 10 From USB Drive Using Rufus
Let’s take a look at Rufus now. You can download and install the Rufus software from its website, and then launch the software.
- There will be a Drive Properties window, here select your USB drive in the Device field, if it's not already selected.
- Click on the Select button and choose the Windows 10 ISO file you had created.
- Click on the Image option field and change it to Windows to Go.
- Leave the other options at the default value if you wish. You can change the Volume label to something like Windows 10.
- Then click on the Start button.
- On the next screen, select the version of Windows that you would want to run on the USB, and click OK.
- A warning message shows up saying that all the data on your USB drive will be deleted.
- Click on OK to continue.
All the necessary files will now be copied to the USB drive. Close the Rufus program after the USB file has been properly set up.
Launch Windows 10 With USB
Now it’s the final part. You have your bootable Windows 10 ready in your USB drive. To launch Windows 10, first, insert the USB drive into the PC. Then press the appropriate key to launch your Boot menu and then the option to boot up off the USB drive. The easiest way to do this is to hold the shift key as you restart your PC.
The first time you do this, you need to look into the Windows setup process. Then you also need to activate Windows 10.
Now you can install apps on the USB drive and access the files and documents that are stored online. So the experience does come close to the real experience of Windows 10.
