What is Windows To Go and is Windows To Go still available?

This tutorial describes what Windows To Go is and how we are going to create Windows To Go after Microsoft stops continuing to develop it, covering the following key aspects:

• What is Windows To Go (WTG)?
• Can Windows To Go drives be booted on different computers?
• What are the difference between Windows To Go and conventional Windows installation?
• Is Windows To Go still supported in current Windows versions?
• How to create a Windows To Go Workspace Using Hasleo WinToUSB?
• Conclusion

What is Windows To Go (WTG)?

Windows To Go is a useful feature that allows you to install a fully functional Windows 10/8.1/8 Enterprise operating system on an external hard drive or a USB flash drive, creating a portable Windows workspace. Then you can carry this portable drive anywhere and use it on any computer.

Besides, Windows To Go is an enterprise feature in Windows 8/8.1/10 Enterprise and Education editions. It allows creating Windows To Go workspaces that boot from USB-connected external drives on Windows 7-or-later-certified PCs, independent of the host PC's native operating system.

In fact, Windows To Go workspaces use the same system images that enterprises deploy on desktops and laptops, with identical management methods. They are not designed to replace desktops, laptops, or other mobility solutions, but to enable efficient resource use in alternative workplace scenarios.

Can Windows To Go drives be booted on different computers?

The answer is yes. When a Windows To Go workspace first boots on a host computer, it detects all hardware and installs required drivers. On subsequent boots, the workspace automatically recognizes the host computer and loads the appropriate drivers.

However, applications intended for use in a Windows To Go workspace should be verified for roaming support. This is because certain applications bind to host computer hardware, which may cause compatibility issues when the workspace is used across multiple devices.

What are the differences between Windows To Go and conventional Windows installations?

Windows To Go workspaces operate just like the standard installations of Windows with a few exceptions. These exceptions are:

• Internal disks are offline. To prevent accidental data disclosure, the host computer's internal drives remain offline by default when booting into a Windows To Go workspace. Similarly when inserting a Windows To Go drive into a running system, the drive will not appear in File Explorer.
• The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is not utilized. When using BitLocker Drive Encryption with Windows To Go, a pre-OS boot password is required instead of TPM authentication. This is because TPM is hardware-bound to specific computers, whereas Windows To Go drives are designed for portability across devices.
• Hibernation is disabled by default. To ensure portability across computers, hibernation is disabled by default in Windows To Go workspaces—regardless of whether you use Microsoft's Windows To Go Creator Wizard or Hasleo WinToUSB for creation. Hibernation can be re-enabled through Group Policy settings. For detailed instructions on managing hibernate functionality, please visit: How to Enable or Disable Hibernation in Windows To Go workspaces?
• Windows Recovery Environment is not available. Should recovery of your Windows To Go drive be necessary, reinstall the drive with a clean Windows installation.
• Windows To Go workspaces do not support refresh or reset functions. The manufacturer’s reset function is incompatible with Windows To Go workspaces, therefore this feature has been disabled.
• Getting apps from the Microsoft Windows Store. For Windows 8.1-based Windows To Go workspaces, Microsoft Store behavior is identical to standard Windows installations. Store apps fully support roaming across different host PCs when running from a Windows To Go drive.
  In contrast, for Windows To Go workspaces running Windows 8, the Windows Store is disabled by default. This is because Windows 8 Store apps are hardware-bound for licensing, and Windows To Go is designed to roam across different host PCs. However, you may enable the Store if your Windows 8-based workspace will only run on a single designated host computer.
• Windows To Go workspaces do not support in-place upgrades.Windows To Go workspaces created with Windows 8/8.1 cannot be upgraded to Windows 10, nor can Windows 10-based workspaces be upgraded to newer Windows 10 versions. For new Windows versions, the workspace requires reimaging with a fresh Windows installation. Does this imply Windows To Go workspaces cannot be upgraded? Not at all. The third-party tool Windows To Go Upgrader enables workspace upgrades.

Is Windows To Go still supported in current Windows versions?

By default, only Windows 10/8.1/8 Enterprise and Education editions can create Windows To Go workspaces using Microsoft's native Windows To Go Creator tool. Note that Microsoft announced on May 25, 2019: "Windows To Go is no longer under development. The feature doesn't support feature updates and therefore doesn't enable you to stay current. It also requires a specific type of USB that is no longer supported by many OEMs.". So is Windows To Go still supported in current Windows versions?

Fortunately, third-party Windows To Go creators like Hasleo WinToUSB remain functional, supporting workspace creation with any edition of Windows 11/10/8.1/8. Hasleo WinToUSB is the world's first third-party software for creating Windows To Go workspaces. It enables users to create Windows To Go workspaces on both certified and uncertified USB drives, supporting Windows To Go creation from ISO/WIM/VHD(X) files or by cloning a currently running Windows installation to a USB drive. Additionally, our other product Windows To Go Upgrader enables users to upgrade Windows To Go workspaces, ensuring the Windows system stays up-to-date.

Since 2014, Hasleo has empowered users to easily create Windows To Go workspaces (portable Windows). we remain committed to developing WinToUSB and Windows To Go Upgrader, ensuring workflow continuity.

How to Create a Windows To Go Workspace Using Hasleo WinToUSB?

This tutorial does not detail Windows To Go workspace creation using Hasleo WinToUSB. For step-by-step instructions, see How to Create a Portable Windows 11/10 USB drive.

Conclusion

This article details what Windows To Go is and how it differs from a conventional Windows installation. It also mentions how to create Windows To Go using third-party Windows To Go creation software like Hasleo WinToUSB in current Windows versions after Microsoft stopped the development of Windows To Go.