USB Drive - Boot from within Windows 8

How to Boot from a USB Drive within Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to boot from a USB drive from within Windows 8 and 8.1.

   Note

This is a per usage option that will not configure Windows to always boot from the USB drive.

If you have a UEFI Windows 8/8.1 installation, then you will need a bootable UEFI flash drive to be able to boot from it using the method in this tutorial.

Here's How:

1. If you have fast boot or ultra fast boot enabled in your UEFI firmware settings, then you will need to temporarily disable fast boot or ultra fast boot to be able to boot from a USB.

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:ar: How to Enable Fast Boot or Ultra Fast Boot in UEFI Firmware Settings for Windows​

2. Connect a bootable USB drive to the USB port on your PC.

3. While in Windows 8 or 8.1, boot to Advanced startup using either option 1, 2, or 3 in the tutorial below.

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:ar: How to Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 and 8.1​

4. After the computer restarts, click/tap on the Use a device option. (see screenshot below)

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5. Click/tap on the USB drive that you want to use to boot from. The computer will now restart and boot from the selected USB drive. (see screenshot below)

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Boot from a USB Drive on Surface
• Enable or Disable Always Automatically Boot PC from USB Drive in Windows To Go Startup Options
• How to Create a Windows To Go Startup Options Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create an Advanced Startup Options Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a Recovery PC settings Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with the Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO
• How to Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive for Installing Windows 7, 8, or 8.1
• How to Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Boot to "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Boot to UEFI Firmware Settings from inside Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable the New Windows 8 Startup Options Boot Menu

 

[whs]

Is there an advantage over the changed boot order method ??

 

[Brink]

Hey Wolfgang,

This method doesn't require having to disable Secure Boot, enable CSM, or disable Fast Boot in UEFI settings to boot from the USB. Well, at least I didn't have to on a Surface Pro 2, HP Envy laptop, or my desktop (see my specs) that all have Windows 8.1 installed with UEFI.

However, if you are not able to boot into Windows, then you'll need to use the boot order or boot menu method instead.

 

[adamf]

Thanks for that. Another way is to set the Change Windows To Go startup options setting to yes. It will then boot from whatever USB you have plugged in. Note I've only tried this on mbr installation of 8.1 Pro - not sure about other versions.


It is easier than changing the BIOS I think.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Adam. You read my mind. I'm working on another tutorial for later just for that with a command and gpedit option as well.

 

[whs]

Thanks Shawn. Sounds like a good deal.

 

[Brink]

Done. Please let me know if you think it needs anything added or mentioned in it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/53305-windows-go-startup-options-boot-usb.html

 

[SevenT]

Hi, but when i tried this, it restarted and back to normal win although I pluged my usb? When i tried press f12 to boot menu it still back to normal win. My PC is Acer Aspire V5-571P

 

[Brink]

Hi, but when i tried this, it restarted and back to normal win although I pluged my usb? When i tried press f12 to boot menu it still back to normal win. My PC is Acer Aspire V5-571P

Hello SevenT, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Double check to see if this below may be the issue for your F12 boot menu.

Why can't I get the F12 Boot Menu to work on my notebook or netbook?

 

[SevenT]

Hi Brink,

Thank for your reply. I think win 8 have lock some think. My current win 8.1 is not actived. And when i do as your link it doesn't go to bios when turn on and press f2. It still go to windows.

But when i logged in my pc, and press Shift + Restart > troubleshoot > advanced option > uefi firmware setting . It log into bios. I already enable F12 boot.

Another thing is when i choose boot from HDD in your step 3. Or when i try to safe mode, it still run into windows. So my normal way to renew win is use command prompt to select file in my hdd. But this way can't format the system (C) drive and it's leave a old file win?

Any solution?

 

[Brink]

Hi Brink,

Thank for your reply. I think win 8 have lock some think. My current win 8.1 is not actived. And when i do as your link it doesn't go to bios when turn on and press f2. It still go to windows.

But when i logged in my pc, and press Shift + Restart > troubleshoot > advanced option > uefi firmware setting . It log into bios. I already enable F12 boot.

Another thing is when i choose boot from HDD in your step 3. Or when i try to safe mode, it still run into windows. So my normal way to renew win is use command prompt to select file in my hdd. But this way can't format the system (C) drive and it's leave a old file win?

Any solution?

Did you create a bootable UEFI USB flash drive?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

Why isn't your Windows 8.1 activated?

Are you able to reset Windows 8.1 at boot?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2302-reset-windows-8-a.html

 

[whs]

This UEFI is a handsome frog. I have still not figured out how to boot my Linux system from a flash drive. That is not an installation iso but a running system.

 

[SevenT]

I'm created successful bootable usb by rufus.

I just reinstall my windows from Command Promp from Shift + click Restart and it's succeed. It now can format the system hard drive. Maybe i remember wrongly.

But i still hope we can slove this problem for other user.

I hope UEFI is good but we can't ghost it . What the hell when you paid a lot of money for better thing and use ghost and backup whole computer. @@

 

[Brink]

Great news SevenT.

We'll hopefully help solve this for each user one by one.

 

[whs]

I hope UEFI is good but we can't ghost it . What the hell when you paid a lot of money for better thing and use ghost and backup whole computer. @@

If you mean making an image by "ghost it", then that is possible with many programs like Macrium, AOMEI or others. But the easiest is with this command:

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:X: -include:C: -AllCritical -quiet

You have to replace "X" with the volume letter of your backup device.

Recovery is thru F9 or Restart when holding the Shift key down or your installation/recovery disc. Then you drill down this chain:

• Language setting
• Troubleshoot
• Advanced Options
• System Image Recovery

 

[Brink]

I hope UEFI is good but we can't ghost it . What the hell when you paid a lot of money for better thing and use ghost and backup whole computer. @@

If you mean making an image by "ghost it", then that is possible with many programs like Macrium, AOMEI or others. But the easiest is with this command:

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:X: -include:C: -AllCritical -quiet

You have to replace "X" with the volume letter of your backup device.

Recovery is thru F9 or Restart when holding the Shift key down or your installation/recovery disc. Then you drill down this chain:

• Language setting
• Troubleshoot
• Advanced Options
• System Image Recovery

Doesn't that command using -AllCritical basically just create a system image?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc742083.aspx

 

[whs]

Yes, it is just making a Windows image including all partition needed for proper operation. I think it is the easiest to make a proper Windows image - but that may be just me.

 

[Brink]

Ok good. That's what I was thinking.