How to Use WintoUSB Tool to create a portable Windows OS drive?
Content
- What is WinToUSB tool?
- To create a portable Windows USB using WinToUSB tool, first, download and install the software, then connect a USB drive with enough space to the computer. Select the Windows version and edition you want to install, and choose the USB drive as the destination. Select the installation mode, either "USB" or "ISO", and then select the source of the installation, either from a physical DVD or a virtual DVD.
- Alternative WinToUSB tool to create a portable Windows device
- Conclusion
What is WintoUSB tool?
WintoUSB is a simple and lightweight tool that allows you to install Windows 10/8/7 on an external hard drive, such as a USB drive, using an ISO file or installation CD. This enables you to create a portable Windows drive that can be used to run the Windows OS on any computer, providing a familiar system environment wherever you go.
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How to use WintoUSB tool to create a portable Windows 10/8/7 USB?
✍Before you do, you need to:
- Prepare a portable storage device, such as a USB flash drive, portable SSD, or HDD, with a minimum capacity of 16GB.
- Back up the USB drive beforehand, as it will be formatted during the process.
- Download the Windows OS installation ISO file.
- Install WintoUSB tool.
✐Note: Some users experienced issues with Windows 7 being completely portable using this tool, citing activation and driver problems. This may require using an alternative tool for running Windows 7 on other PCs.
Step 1. Insert the USB and run WinToUSB. Click the folder button at the top of the main interface, and select the Windows installation ISO files.
Step 2. This program will scan all the operating systems in the ISO file, select one you want to install, and then click "Next" to proceed.
Step 4. Then select the target USB, and click "Next".
Step 5. In the pop-up window, you will receive a message telling you the USB needs to be formatted, ensure you have backed up the USB, and select a partition scheme, and click "Yes" to proceed.
Step 6. Choose the system partition and boot partition, then click "Next".
The Windows OS will be installed on your USB flash drive, allowing you to use it to boot other computers.
Boot from the portable USB flash drive
To load Windows from a USB drive on another computer, the drive must be configured as the boot device on the target PC. This involves accessing the BIOS settings, usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del keys during boot-up, and setting the USB drive as the primary boot device. The USB drive should be formatted as FAT32, and the Windows installation files should be copied to the drive.
Step 1. Insert the Windows USB to a computer.
Step 2. To enter the BIOS settings, power on your computer and press the functional key (usually ESC, F1, F2, F4, F5, F8 or F10) as soon as the first screen appears. The specific key to press varies depending on your computer manufacturer, so you can search online for the correct key to use.
Step 3. To change the boot order, select the Boot tab and choose "Change boot order", then set the bootable USB to the top of the listed boot devices.
Step 4. Press "F10" to save and leave the BIOS setup.
WinToUSB tool alternative to create a Windows USB drive without ISO files
You can use the Win to USB tool to create a portable Windows USB, but it has some limitations. A more powerful and versatile tool is needed to create a fully portable Windows 10/8/7 USB.
Qiling Disk Master Professional is an alternative tool to WintoUSB, allowing users to create a portable Windows system without needing a Windows ISO file, supporting Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista.
The software has an intuitive interface, making it easy to operate with just a few clicks. Additionally, it can create a portable Windows OS for Mac devices, allowing users to boot Windows on their Mac laptops, including MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini.
Let's see the steps in detail.
✐Note: You need to prepare a USB with at least 13GB and back it up. However, you don't necessarily need a Windows ISO file, as you can create a portable Windows USB using your current computer's system.
Qiling Disk Master also supports creating a Windows PE bootable USB by its "Make Bootable Media" feature, allowing you to boot your computer and repair boot issues caused by damaged MBR or disk errors.
Conclusion
Qiling Disk Master is a more powerful, flexible, and easy-to-operate tool compared to WintoUSB, allowing you to install Windows 10/8/7 directly to a USB flash drive without the need for an ISO file or installation CD beforehand.
✐Note: If you are running with the Server system, you can turn to Qiling Disk Master Server Edition to complete this operation.
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