Windows 8 To Go

Ztruker

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Has anyone gotten this to work: [Tutorial]Windows 8 to Go without Enterprise Edition - Microsoft (Windows) Discussion & Support - Neowin Forums

I've tried it twice now and both times, after completing the bcdboot.exe J:\Windows /s J: /f ALL where "J" is my Windows To Go flash drive letter Disk Management does not indicate the flash drive is bootable and it does not boot. All I get when I select the flash drive from the one time boot menu is: Error loading operating system

This is what Disk Management shows:

Win8ToGoNoBoot.jpg

This is from the computer listed in my Specs which is UEFI with a GPT boot SSD. I wonder if I did this on my older Windows 7 system which is not UEFI if this would work?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
And another that can not get it to work. Even tried Enterprise Preview in which it is built in but will not accept incompatible USB drives

Keith
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bt
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Aspire
    CPU
    Sempron 2.8
    Motherboard
    Asrock
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    2 x ide
    1 x sata
    Internet Speed
    Up to 24 :)
Hi there.

Have had this running for AGES -- follow THIS method though -- that way you don't need special "certified" sticks etc. I'm posting this reply now on a Windows to Go device. !! It also works on the latest W8.1 update 1 enterprise version - use that if possible.

Creating a Non-Certified Windows To Go USB Drive » ADMIN Magazine

Note though in this piece:

After mounting the ISO, use 7Zip or a similar tool to open the NEUTRAL.CAB file and extract the F1_image file. Once extracted, rename F1_image to IMAGEX.EXE .

Use the F2_image file for a 64 bit Windows to go. !!!! Rename that one to IMAGEX.EXE.

I'd also do it to a USB drive rather than a stick though - a lot better performance. I use an old laptop drive where I've connected a SATA ==> USB cable.

BTW if you want a portable version of Windows (any version) you can read my post which creates a bootable Linux system and then runs a Windows VM - all totally from an external device.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html

Have fun either way !!

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
And another that can not get it to work. Even tried Enterprise Preview in which it is built in but will not accept incompatible USB drives

Keith

It appears the trick with the USB sticks is they have to show up as fixed disks, not removable media. It looks like all the certified ones have a bit set in the firmware that makes them show up as fixed. Having access to MSDN I played around with Windows 8.1 Enterprise and Windows to go. I ended up installing to an external hard drive because it wouldn't use any of my thumb drives. I have some SanDisk USB thumb drives that have the bit set but they aren't big enough to install Windows To Go to. The certified drives are expensive so if I was to try it again I'll be looking for SanDisk thumb drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Hi there.

Have had this running for AGES -- follow THIS method though -- that way you don't need special "certified" sticks etc. I'm posting this reply now on a Windows to Go device. !! It also works on the latest W8.1 update 1 enterprise version - use that if possible.

Creating a Non-Certified Windows To Go USB Drive » ADMIN Magazine

Note though in this piece:

After mounting the ISO, use 7Zip or a similar tool to open the NEUTRAL.CAB file and extract the F1_image file. Once extracted, rename F1_image to IMAGEX.EXE .

Use the F2_image file for a 64 bit Windows to go. !!!! Rename that one to IMAGEX.EXE.

I'd also do it to a USB drive rather than a stick though - a lot better performance. I use an old laptop drive where I've connected a SATA ==> USB cable.

BTW if you want a portable version of Windows (any version) you can read my post which creates a bootable Linux system and then runs a Windows VM - all totally from an external device.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html

Have fun either way !!

Cheers
jimbo

Looked at the tutorial. It looks like it's setup to run on a Windows 7 system. I have Win 8 Pro. Win 8 does not have a WAIK or ImageX. It now has WADK and DISM, neither of which the tutorial mentions.

Have you tried this under Windows 8 and if so, how?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Hi there.

Have had this running for AGES -- follow THIS method though -- that way you don't need special "certified" sticks etc. I'm posting this reply now on a Windows to Go device. !! It also works on the latest W8.1 update 1 enterprise version - use that if possible.

Creating a Non-Certified Windows To Go USB Drive » ADMIN Magazine

Note though in this piece:

After mounting the ISO, use 7Zip or a similar tool to open the NEUTRAL.CAB file and extract the F1_image file. Once extracted, rename F1_image to IMAGEX.EXE .

Use the F2_image file for a 64 bit Windows to go. !!!! Rename that one to IMAGEX.EXE.

I'd also do it to a USB drive rather than a stick though - a lot better performance. I use an old laptop drive where I've connected a SATA ==> USB cable.

BTW if you want a portable version of Windows (any version) you can read my post which creates a bootable Linux system and then runs a Windows VM - all totally from an external device.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html

Have fun either way !!

Cheers
jimbo

Looked at the tutorial. It looks like it's setup to run on a Windows 7 system. I have Win 8 Pro. Win 8 does not have a WAIK or ImageX. It now has WADK and DISM, neither of which the tutorial mentions.

Have you tried this under Windows 8 and if so, how?

Hi there.

Yes I created mine from Windows 8.1 but READ the following.

You MUST use the Windows 7 WAIK if you can't find a W8 WAIK -- you ONLY need to get the IMAGEX.EXE file -- you don't need the whole WAIK -- ensure though the IMAGEX file is the one for x-64 or x-86 depending on what version of Windows to Go you want.

If you can source the IMAGEX file from somewhere else then fine -- I used the one from the W7 WAIK as I already had it. Once you've got the IMAGEX file you image the system from the W8.1 ISO USING THE IMAGEX.EXE file as shown in the tutorial.

The crunch is when you have to create the boot system --YOU NEED THE W8/W8.1 BOOT for that -- as shown in the tutorial.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Ah, okay. I didn't read far enough, sorry. I do have the W7 WAIK so I'll check that out. Thanks again.

I also have just the W7 imagex.exe, so I'll give that a try.

Edit: I compared imagex.exe from the Imagex.zip I had and from the W7 WAIK and they are identical.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Running IMAGEX.EXE /APPLY INSTALL.WIM 1 J:\ now. This is pretty much identical to what I did using GImagex and then DISM.
I don't have a lot of hope for it but would sure be happy if it works.

I'll post results when done which will take an hour or more.

Edit: 68% and running :)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Okay, apply finished:

E:\WinToGo>IMAGEX.EXE /APPLY INSTALL.WIM 1 J:\

ImageX Tool for Windows
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. All rights reserved.
Version: 6.1.7600.16385


[ 100% ] Applying progress

Successfully applied image.

Total elapsed time: 76 min 57 sec

BCDBOOT finished:

E:\WinToGo>BCDBOOT.EXE J:\WINDOWS /S J: /F ALL
Boot files successfully created.

E:\WinToGo>

Ends up with the same problem, not marked as Boot so it will not boot.

I think alphanumeric is right :

It appears the trick with the USB sticks is they have to show up as fixed disks, not removable media.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
It won't show as "boot" in disk mgmt unless you are booted into it.


Some of these flash drives are set up for storage only.
Try writing the code with bootice. Install nt6 mbr and pbr code. Se if that helps. View attachment BOOTICEx86x64.zip
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
One step forward, two back :(

Wrote MBR and PBR as you said. Bootice allows the flash drive to start booting but it just sits there with the 4 blue block Windows 8 logo and the spinning dots. I let it run for 45 minutes. It was definitely off in the weeds somewhere as pulling the flash drive had no effect. Rats!

I was given a choice for both Legacy and UEFI boot. Tried both with the same result.

Edit: Think I'll see if I can get one of the flash drives that is rated to work with WinToG0.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
That was the problem.

You now have a different problem. Sounds like it is way too slow.

A very good usb3 stick is needed. Windows is not efficient like Linux.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
It's a brand new Kingston Datatraveler G4 USB 3.0 flash drive.

I just ordered a SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 CZ80 16GB Flash Drive ($20 no shipping) which is supposed to work for WinToG0. Will know if 5-7 days.

Thanks for your help, here and on many of my other posts.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Hi everybody

When creating these systems the boot device MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE partition on it.

Before starting do the following

1) connect stick or USB drive into the computer
2) run in Administrator mode the following commands -- assume the USB is DISK 5

DISKPART
LIST DISK you'll get a list of disks -- assume DISK 5 is the USB disk you want to use
SELECT DISK 5
CLEAN (This removes any previous MBR / other boot sector stuff plus wipes the HDD)
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
ACTIVE ====> very important or the HDD / Stick won't boot. !!

Format fs=ntfs quick

exit

Now you can run the advice I've given previously in this thread -- BTW it's better to use a USB HDD rather than a stick as in some cases updates don't work when running of a USB stick - it always works from an external USB drive -- I find using an old laptop USB drive is actually quick enough - plug it in to a USB2 / USB3 port with a SATA==>USB connector (only a dollar or so for the cable).

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Got my new SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 CZ80 16GB Flash Drive today.
Used GImagex to apply install.wim to it. Took 7m13s, a bit better than 76 minutes with the other USB 3.0 flash drive I tried.

Now it won't allow me to mark it as Active in Disk Management!!!!

Guess I'll have to do it over again using diskpart. Oh well, when it's this fast doing it again is no big deal.

More later.

Edit: Tried boot it anyway. Would not boot in Legacy, did start to boot in UEFI but then died saying something about unable to update boot......

Recreating after using diskpart to set up the flash drive.

Edit#2: The flash drive now shows up in Disk Management as:

Disk 3
Basic
14.62GB
Online
Healthy (System, Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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