Windows To Go

I created a Windows To Go on a 3.0 USB but Windows will not load and gets stuck on the loading screen. I have tried the USB on 3 computers. here is what I did to create windows to go on USB (I did not use the "Create windows to go software" that comes with windows)

I Downloaded the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation
Mounted it as "H:"
USB is "J:"
Downloaded "RMPrepUSB"
Set it too :WinPE v2/WinPE v3/Vista/Win7 Bootable (Bootmgr ------ NTFS ----- Boot as HDD
Then ran "Imagex /Apply H:\Sources\Install.wim 1 J:
BCDBOOT J:\Windows /s J: /v
then ejected the USB and put it in another PC that is currently running Windows 8 Pro, 64bit (also tried other Computers)

It does load up the screen with the Fish but gets stuck on that screen. I even left it running over night and it didn't load up. The USB drive is flashing like it is doing something but its not! Any help?

Hello Relenger, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you are able to, creating "Windows To Go" (WTG) in Windows 8 Enterprise is the easiest way to create one on a certified WTG USB flash drive.
Otherwise, you might see if this may help.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Brink said:

Hello Relenger, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you are able to, creating "Windows To Go" (WTG) in Windows 8 Enterprise is the easiest way to create one on a certified WTG USB flash drive.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html​

Otherwise, you might see if this may help.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html​

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Click to expand...

This is the steps I followed the first time with no luck. I decided to try using Windows 8.ISO Consumer preview this time. I'll let you know how it works out.

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview expired on January 15, 2013. It will be of no use.

If you like, you could download and install the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview to then be able to create a Windows To Go USB with on a certified USB flash drive.

Brink said:

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview expired on January 15, 2013. It will be of no use.

If you like, you could download and install the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview to then be able to create a Windows To Go USB with on a certified USB flash drive.

Click to expand...

I don't have a certified drive. but I do have a 64GB USB 3.0 drive.
I also understand that the consumer preview is expired but at least I can see if I can even boot.
After making the drive with the consumer preview everything worked as planned! so now I need to figure out why it failed with Windows 8.1 Enterprise
I am also hoping I can some how "upgrade" the preview to a new version

Problem solved! I guess you cant use windows 8.1 but you can use windows 8 RTM.
Has anyone got 8.1 working without using the "Windows 2 go" software? I don't want to buy a "Certified" USB

Are you able to create a Windows 8 RTM Windows To Go, then upgrade it to 8.1 using Option One below?
You'll need to do this tutorial first to enable Store access before you will be able to do the above.
Hope this may work as a workaround for you.

I did enable the store but I didn't try to upgrade through the store. I did try upgrading with the 8.1 DVD and it said "unable to upgrade and install to a USB Device"

It may be worth a try to upgrade through the Store to see if it may work.

Windows To Go is only officially supported with Windows 8 Enterprise. Although there are ways to make other Windows to GO installations, they are not supported by Microsoft. I would say they likely violate the EULA. I would be surprised if anything other than a legal Enterprise version would update. Even then I would think you would have to create a new Windows to go install from a valid Windows 8.1 Enterprise system. If memory serves me the Windows store is disabled by default in Windows To Go. I have a Windows To Go drive setup but haven't actually used it in ages.