W8 to Go as OS on main / laptop computer also useful for deployment

jimbo45

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Hi there
Rather than a Fresh install I am using the Windows to Go system to create my W8 OS if I need a new install.

I created my Windows to go on an external USB - When I replaced a laptops HDD with an SSD instead of chucking out the drive - it's a 500GB one I created a Win to Go system on the USB drive, installed a base set of applications and imaged the partition.

To use the drive after removing it from a laptop you can use either a SATA==>USB cable -- included with the Samsung SSD I put into the laptop or use one of those cheap drive enclosures so you only need a standard mini usb cable.

Restored the partition to a Workstation -- system did a few extra Device set ups and booted just fine WITH the applications installed too -- saved a LOT of time.

Note when creating the Windows to go on a 500 GB HDD format a SINGLE 500 GB partition, install the Windows to go and then afterwards using Partition Wizard or similar reduce the size to say 50 GB and create your data partition -- very nice portable system with loads of storage data space too.

Now I can't see anything wrong with this -- it's worked on at least 4 computers all with different hardware.
Ms Office needed activation -- but I have an Enterprise MAK version so no probs there.

I could see this tool becoming VERY VERY useful for deployment as well -- instead of the present PE environment etc which can be a bit of a pain. This method is SIMPLE and will even take care of hardware variations on target computers --so you could roll out standard software image and it wouldn't matter if the target hardware wasn't 100% identical -- also allowing a bit more flexibility when buying loads of computers for a workplace.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Yes, for Enterprise customers, they will probably use it instead of PE.

There are a couple of problems with it at least:

1. Most users don't have access to it.

2. Any 5yr old can install it to a usb. You learn nothing doing that.

Building PE is building a mini version of windows - incredible what you learn from doing it.
 

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Building PE is building a mini version of windows - incredible what you learn from doing it.
Where is the tutorial ??
 

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Hi there
I think actually using Win2GO with HYPER-V and creating VM's is a much BETTER way of learning in any case since this type of operation is likely to be far more widespread in SMALL companies rather than with the "Big Boys" who usually have their own specialized I.T people (unfortunately situated often in places like India, The Philippines etc.) .

If you aren't a Network / VM or even an infrastructure guy this type of tool makes for excellent learning and "hands on" experience --- not many of us "mere mortals" get to play around with Servers in any case.

If a 5 year old could do it it shows Ms is on the right track --- it shouldn't take hours and loads of technical expertise to get something which is basically simple up and running.

If the 5 year olds can do this then maybe they can spend their time on developing the NEXT set of stuff for "us Oldies" to use and play with.

(Actually my experience with modern education seems to be unless you are in countries like S.Korea or most Nordic countries : Iceland, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden is that it is actually regressing or getting worse that it used to be even 10 years ago.)

A small workplace would prefer to get stuff up and running QUICKLY rather than get a few expensive consultants in who possibly install something regarded as a "Black box" and leave. When there is a problem then the company is stuck -- and even a "new" consultant has to delve into what the other one did.

Plug and play is much better for these types of places.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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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)
Any 5yr old can install it to a usb.
Good point. PE is still useful anyway. It can run from cd/dvd with low RAM condition, but it does not have flexibility read/write as win8togo.
I think win7-VHD nativeboot is the best alternative at the moment. It is portable also like win8togo, which w8 is still beta: problem to find working drivers & applications, higher ram usage, etc..
I could see this tool becoming VERY VERY useful for deployment as well -- instead of the present PE environment etc which can be a bit of a pain...............
Some thought about VHD Nativeboot w7/w8:
MBR remain untouched
It wont create conflict in multiboot
No need to create extra partition
More then one vhd possible
Create portable vhd is possible for booting anywhere
Read/write ability inside or outside the container
Compressable for small image

I guess, as soon as win8 final is released, none of boot methods will work except you have generic bios Id#.
 

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It would be interesting to play around and see how much win8 can be cut down and still have all the functions you want.

It would fit on a small vhd and usb stick.

That would be a learning/creative experience.
 

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Ya, very true. I use Dameware to delete/uninstall all services and drivers I have no use for. For example: We all have SiS AGP port drivers (SISAGP.sys) so no need for that unless you have SiS chipset (rare nowadays) - tons of examples like that.

These things do not load with Windows unless you have the hardware, so you wouldn't be saving RAM or resources, but I still like to do it lol.

Doing it before install would be super awesome.
 

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1 Gb free space is good enough to run all my portable applications incl. thin-apps.
Disk usage for W8 is around 1 Gb. w7-build2G.png
 

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That is interesting 2gb - do you have a filelist of the contents of your win7 vhd and your win8 vhd.?
 

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    Computer type
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You can build your own with this VHD_W8C_50.exe http://www.mediafire.com/?233dka636369k
extract it & the list is inside VHD_W8 directory
 

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