Applies to Windows 8

Windows To Go: Frequently asked questions

With Windows To Go, you can create a copy of Windows 8 on a USB drive then use it wherever you go. If you’re working from home or travelling, insert the USB drive in your Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC and you can open and use all the apps and files you need to get your work done. For more information, see Starting your PC from a Windows To Go workspace.

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What is a Windows To Go workspace?

A Windows To Go workspace consists of the Windows 8 operating system on a USB drive as well as all the files, folders, and apps that were copied over when the workspace was created.

How do I stop using my Windows To Go workspace and continue working on my PC?

Shut down your Windows To Go workspace, remove the drive, and then start your PC. You shut down your workspace the same way you shut down your PC. For more information, see How do I shut down (turn off) my PC?

Warning

It’s important that you shut down your Windows To Go workspace completely before you remove the USB drive that contains it; otherwise, you could lose data or damage the operating system. If you do remove the drive by mistake, reinsert it immediately and wait for Windows To Go to finish shutting down.

What is a Windows image file and where can I find it?

A Windows image file (with a .wim extension) contains the operating system, applications and files of the PC. When you create a Windows To Go workspace, you’ll need to choose an image file. Most of the time, Windows To Go will find the image file, but if it doesn’t, ask your system administrator for help.

What hardware is required to create a Windows To Go workspace?

To help make sure that the Windows To Go workspace you create works as it should, we recommend only using devices that display the Designed for Windows logo. For a list of these devices, go to the Windows To Go: Feature overview page on the TechNet website.