The demand for flexible computing solutions has never been higher in today's mobile work environment. Professionals, IT specialists, and power users frequently find themselves needing access to a complete Windows environment across multiple computers, whether working from home offices, client sites, or while traveling. Two primary technologies have emerged to address this need: virtual machines (VMs) and Windows To Go. While both approaches enable portable Windows experiences, they operate on fundamentally different principles and excel in distinctly different scenarios. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision about which solution best fits your specific requirements.
Virtual machines create software-based representations of computers that run as applications within your existing operating system. A VM encapsulates an entire operating system, applications, and data in a portable file (or set of files) that can run on any host computer with compatible virtualization software. Windows To Go, on the other hand, creates a bootable USB drive containing a fully functional Windows installation that runs directly on the target hardware, bypassing the host operating system entirely. Each approach offers unique advantages and limitations that make them suitable for different use cases, and many users ultimately benefit from understanding both technologies to determine the optimal solution for their needs.
This comprehensive guide examines virtual machines and Windows To Go across multiple dimensions including performance, portability, hardware access, security, cost, and ease of use. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, you can make an informed decision about which technology—or combination of technologies—best serves your portable computing requirements. Whether you're a business professional seeking a secure mobile workspace, an IT technician needing diagnostic tools on every machine, or a developer requiring isolated test environments, this guide will help you identify the solution that aligns with your specific use case.
Before diving into comparisons, it's essential to understand how virtual machines and Windows To Go function at a technical level. These foundational differences explain why each technology excels in certain areas while being limited in others.
Virtual Machine Architecture relies on a hypervisor—a software layer that sits between the guest operating system and the host hardware. The hypervisor abstracts physical hardware resources (CPU, memory, storage, network) and presents virtual hardware to the guest operating system. When you run a virtual machine, you're essentially running a complete computer system as a software process within your host operating system. Popular virtualization platforms include VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, Oracle VirtualBox, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Parallels Desktop. Each VM exists as one or more files (typically with .vmx/.vmdk for VMware or .vbox/.vdi for VirtualBox) that contain the entire virtualized hardware configuration and the guest operating system's disk image.
The virtual machine operates with a clear separation from the host system. Applications running inside the VM cannot directly access the host's filesystem, hardware, or network resources without explicit configuration and permission. This isolation is both a strength and a limitation—while it provides security and stability benefits, it also means that seamless integration with the host environment requires additional configuration. When you launch a VM, the hypervisor allocates a portion of your physical memory and CPU cores to the virtual machine, and all operations within the VM consume these allocated resources rather than directly utilizing the underlying hardware.
Windows To Go Architecture takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than creating a software abstraction of hardware, Windows To Go installs a complete, bootable Windows operating system directly onto a USB drive. When you boot from a Windows To Go drive, the computer's firmware (BIOS or UEFI) loads the Windows boot loader from the USB drive, and Windows initializes and runs directly on the physical hardware—just as it would from an internal hard drive. The USB drive becomes, for all practical purposes, the computer's primary drive during the boot session.
Hasleo WinToUSB enables the creation of Windows To Go drives by properly configuring the Windows installation to boot from USB media and operate correctly on diverse hardware configurations. This involves installing appropriate storage and chipset drivers, configuring the boot environment for USB-based operation, and ensuring the installation remains portable across different computer configurations. When you use Windows To Go, you have full access to the physical hardware of the host computer—CPU, memory, storage devices, network adapters, graphics subsystem, and connected peripherals all operate at native speed and with full functionality, limited only by hardware compatibility and driver availability.
Key Architectural Differences fundamentally shape the capabilities of each approach. VMs add a software layer between the guest OS and hardware, introducing overhead but also providing isolation and flexibility. Windows To Go removes this layer entirely, running Windows directly on hardware while maintaining portability. This distinction explains why Windows To Go typically offers near-native performance while VMs require resource sharing. It also explains why VMs can run on any host OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) while Windows To Go always boots the target computer into the Windows environment regardless of what was previously installed.
Performance is often the deciding factor when choosing between virtual machines and Windows To Go, and the differences here are substantial. Understanding how each technology consumes and utilizes system resources helps set realistic expectations and choose the right solution for performance-critical applications.
CPU Performance differences between VMs and Windows To Go are significant and stem from the fundamental architectural distinction between the two approaches. Windows To Go runs Windows directly on the physical CPU, executing all instructions at native speed without translation or virtualization overhead. Modern CPUs include hardware virtualization extensions (Intel VT-x, AMD-V) that significantly reduce the performance penalty of virtualization, but some overhead remains. In practice, a CPU-bound task running in a VM might achieve 85-95% of the performance of the same task running natively or on Windows To Go. For most productivity applications, this difference is imperceptible. However, for CPU-intensive workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or complex scientific calculations, the cumulative impact of the virtualization overhead can become noticeable over time.
Memory (RAM) Usage represents one of the most significant practical differences between VMs and Windows To Go. Virtual machines require memory for both the host operating system and the guest operating system simultaneously. If you're running Windows 10/11 in a VM with 4GB allocated to the guest, plus your host OS needs 4GB, you're looking at 8GB minimum total memory consumption. Windows To Go, by contrast, only runs one operating system at a time—the Windows To Go environment. When you boot from your USB drive, the host OS isn't running (it may be shut down or not accessed), so all system memory is available to the Windows To Go installation. This makes Windows To Go more memory-efficient for scenarios where total system memory is limited, such as older laptops or systems with 8GB or less RAM.
Graphics Performance varies considerably between the two technologies and is often a determining factor for users with graphics-intensive needs. Windows To Go has direct access to the host computer's graphics hardware, enabling full performance for graphics applications, games, and GPU-accelerated workloads. The graphics subsystem operates at native speeds, limited only by the GPU itself and available drivers. Virtual machines, however, face significant graphics limitations. While modern hypervisors support 3D acceleration through technologies like DirectX 11 (via llvmpipe/software rendering or limited GPU passthrough), the performance typically falls well short of native operation. GPU passthrough (VFIO) can provide near-native graphics performance in VMs, but this requires specific hardware support and configuration, and prevents the host system from using the GPU simultaneously.
Storage Performance differences depend heavily on the storage medium and connection interface. Windows To Go running from a USB 3.0 or faster SSD can achieve storage performance that approaches—and sometimes exceeds—internal SATA drives, particularly for external NVMe SSDs connected via USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt. Virtual machines store their disk images as files on the host's filesystem, meaning storage performance is limited by the host's storage speed multiplied by any overhead from the virtualization layer. VM disk I/O typically sees 10-20% overhead compared to native operations, though this varies by hypervisor and workload type. For storage-heavy operations, the difference between a fast external SSD running Windows To Go and a VM on a mechanical hard drive can be dramatic—orders of magnitude in some cases.
Boot and Startup Times differ substantially between the two approaches. Windows To Go typically boots in 30-60 seconds from a quality SSD, comparable to booting from an internal SSD. Virtual machines, however, must first boot the host operating system, then launch the virtualization software, then boot the guest OS. This multi-stage process means that even with fast hardware, starting a VM and having it ready for use might take 2-5 minutes from cold startup. Some of this can be mitigated by keeping VMs running in a suspended state, but this consumes system resources continuously and isn't always practical, especially for portable use cases where you might need to close and reopen your work environment multiple times per day.
The degree of portability you need and how you interact with host hardware are critical factors in choosing between virtual machines and Windows To Go. Each technology offers different levels of hardware access and presents unique considerations for mobile use.
Host OS Compatibility represents a fundamental difference between the two approaches. Virtual machines can run on virtually any host operating system that supports your chosen hypervisor. You can run a Windows VM on a macOS host (using VMware Fusion, Parallels, or VirtualBox), on a Linux host, or on another Windows version. This makes VMs extremely versatile for users who need Windows capabilities on non-Windows computers. Windows To Go, by contrast, always boots the target computer into Windows—it doesn't require or use the host OS at all. This means Windows To Go works on any computer capable of booting from USB, regardless of what was previously installed, but it requires a computer restart to switch between the host environment and the Windows To Go environment.
Peripheral Device Access differs significantly between the two technologies. Windows To Go provides direct, native access to all hardware connected to the host computer—USB devices, printers, scanners, specialized industrial equipment, and even internal components like webcams and fingerprint readers work at full capability (assuming appropriate drivers are available). This direct hardware access makes Windows To Go ideal for situations requiring interaction with physical devices, equipment diagnostics, or use of specialized peripherals. Virtual machines can also access many peripherals, but typically through USB passthrough or virtualization of common device types. USB passthrough allows VMs to use specific USB devices, but the process can be less reliable, and not all hardware is virtualizable. Some specialized devices simply won't function within a VM due to driver incompatibility or hardware virtualization limitations.
Network Connectivity and Access approaches differ between VMs and Windows To Go in ways that affect security and functionality. Windows To Go, running directly on hardware, has native network access through the host computer's network adapters. This enables full network functionality including domain joins, network shares, corporate VPN connections, and peer-to-peer networking without additional configuration. Virtual machines typically access networks through virtual network adapters created by the hypervisor. These can be configured for NAT (sharing the host's network connection), bridged networking (appearing as a separate device on the network), or host-only networking (isolated from external networks). While flexible, VM networking sometimes introduces complications with corporate networks, network authentication, and access to network resources that expect specific MAC addresses or network configurations.
Multi-Monitor Support is generally superior with Windows To Go due to its direct hardware access. Running Windows To Go on a computer with multiple monitors provides full multi-monitor functionality across all connected displays, limited only by the host computer's graphics capabilities. Virtual machines can support multiple monitors, but this typically requires the VM to be running in full-screen mode and depends on hypervisor support for multi-monitor virtual displays. Some users find VM multi-monitor setups less seamless, with window management quirks and resolution limitations that don't occur with native multi-monitor configurations.
Physical Transport and Setup considerations favor VMs for some users and Windows To Go for others. A VM exists as one or more files that can be stored on any portable storage medium, copied to cloud storage, or emailed (for smaller VMs). To use a VM, you need the hypervisor software installed on the target computer. Windows To Go requires no additional software on the target computer—just the ability to boot from USB—but requires physically carrying the USB drive and restarting the computer to switch environments. Some users find the file-based portability of VMs more convenient, while others prefer the hardware-native experience of Windows To Go without requiring specific software installations on every computer they use.
Security requirements often drive the choice between virtual machines and Windows To Go, particularly for users handling sensitive data or working in security-conscious environments. Each technology offers distinct security characteristics that make it suitable for different threat models.
Isolation and Sandboxing is a core strength of virtual machines. Because the VM runs as a contained process within the host operating system, anything happening inside the VM is isolated from the host. Malware infecting a VM cannot directly access the host's filesystem, applications, or network resources without explicit configuration. This makes VMs excellent for safely exploring untrusted software, testing suspicious files, or isolating potentially harmful activities. If a VM becomes compromised, you can simply delete it and restore from a snapshot or backup, leaving the host system untouched. Windows To Go, running directly on hardware, doesn't provide this isolation—if your Windows To Go installation becomes infected, the malware has access to all hardware and any data you work with, and it could potentially persist on the USB drive even after cleaning attempts.
Data Protection and Encryption capabilities are robust in both technologies but implemented differently. Windows To Go supports BitLocker full-disk encryption natively, protecting all data on the USB drive if it's lost or stolen. This encryption is transparent to the user during normal operation and provides strong protection against unauthorized access to the drive's contents. Virtual machines can also be encrypted, but encryption depends on the hypervisor and configuration. VM disk images can be encrypted using hypervisor-specific tools or third-party encryption software, and some hypervisors support encrypted VMs natively. Additionally, because VMs store data as files, this data can be protected using standard file encryption, cloud storage encryption, or other file-level protection methods. The security of VM encryption may be slightly less robust than native BitLocker integration but still provides adequate protection for most use cases.
Threat Model Considerations should guide your technology choice based on what you're protecting against. If your primary concern is protecting your portable Windows environment from malware or keeping your work isolated from potentially compromised host systems, VMs provide superior isolation. If your primary concern is protecting sensitive data on a lost or stolen portable drive, Windows To Go with BitLocker provides stronger data-at-rest protection. For many users, a hybrid approach using both technologies offers the best of both worlds—using VMs for high-risk activities and Windows To Go for trusted, productive work requiring full hardware access.
Corporate Security Policies often dictate or influence technology choices in business environments. Some organizations prohibit booting from USB devices as a security measure, making Windows To Go impossible in those environments. Others may have policies against running unauthorized virtual machines on corporate networks. Understanding your organization's security policies is essential before deploying either technology. Additionally, corporate environments may have specific requirements for encryption standards, centralized key management, or audit logging that may be more easily implemented with one technology over the other. Windows To Go with BitLocker integrates well with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager and similar management tools, while VMs may require additional configuration to meet corporate security standards.
Clean Environment Maintenance is easier with VMs due to snapshots and easy recreation. VM snapshots capture the exact state of a virtual machine at a point in time, allowing you to revert to a clean state if something goes wrong. Because VMs are defined by files, recreating a clean environment is as simple as copying a template file. Windows To Go installations can be cloned and restored, but the process is more complex and time-consuming than VM file operations. For users who frequently work with untrusted content or need to reset their environment regularly, VMs offer significant operational advantages in environment management and recovery.
Understanding the total cost of ownership and licensing implications helps ensure your chosen solution is both technically appropriate and financially viable. The cost structures for VMs and Windows To Go differ significantly and depend on your specific situation.
Software and License Costs vary considerably between the two approaches. Virtualization software ranges from free (VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, Hyper-V included in Windows Pro) to several hundred dollars (VMware Workstation Pro, Parallels Desktop Pro). While many users can get by with free options, professional features like advanced networking, snapshots, or enterprise support may require paid licenses. Windows To Go itself doesn't require additional software licensing beyond Windows itself—Hasleo WinToUSB provides the creation capability at no additional cost beyond the software itself. However, you still need a valid Windows license for the Windows To Go installation, just as you would for any Windows installation.
Windows Licensing applies to both technologies but with different implications. Running a VM with Windows requires a Windows license for the guest operating system, either through volume licensing, retail purchase, or OEM licensing tied to the physical machine (which may not permit virtualization use). Windows To Go also requires a valid Windows license, and Microsoft has historically had specific licensing terms for Windows To Go deployments in enterprise environments. Always verify that your Windows license permits the intended use case—whether virtualization or portable deployment—to ensure compliance. For organizations deploying either technology at scale, volume licensing agreements typically provide the most cost-effective and compliant approach.
Hardware Costs represent a significant factor in the total cost of ownership. Windows To Go performance depends heavily on the USB drive you use. A quality external SSD suitable for Windows To Go typically costs $50-150 depending on capacity and speed. These drives can often serve other purposes as well, providing good utility value. Virtual machines don't require additional hardware beyond your existing computer, but performance depends on having sufficient RAM, CPU, and storage to run both host and guest operating systems simultaneously. Users with memory-constrained systems may need to upgrade RAM to run VMs effectively, adding $50-100 to the total cost. For users who already have capable hardware, VMs may appear to have lower hardware costs, but this assumes the existing hardware meets virtualization requirements.
Operational and Support Costs should factor into your decision for business deployments. Maintaining and supporting either technology requires IT expertise and time. Windows To Go environments may require more careful driver management and hardware compatibility testing across the range of computers users will boot from. VM environments require managing virtualization software updates, VM file storage and backup, and potentially more complex networking configurations. For small deployments, these differences may be negligible. For larger organizations, the simplicity of Windows To Go's native hardware approach may reduce support complexity, while the isolation and standardization of VMs may reduce incidents and simplify troubleshooting in other scenarios.
Long-Term Cost Considerations include upgrade paths, scalability, and replacement costs. Both technologies involve ongoing costs for software updates, potential license renewals, and hardware replacement as technology ages. USB drives used for Windows To Go will eventually wear out or become obsolete, requiring replacement every 3-5 years under heavy use. VM infrastructure may require periodic hardware upgrades to maintain acceptable performance as software requirements increase. Neither technology has inherently lower long-term costs—the appropriate choice depends on your specific deployment scale and usage patterns.
With a solid understanding of the technical differences, we can now examine specific use cases and provide recommendations for when each technology—or a combination of both—best serves different user needs.
Business Professionals and Mobile Workers often find Windows To Go the optimal choice for their primary portable Windows needs. If your work involves standard business applications (Microsoft Office, email clients, web browsers, CRM systems), document handling, and presentations, Windows To Go provides a familiar Windows environment that works on any computer. The full hardware access ensures you can connect to projectors, printers, and other business peripherals without configuration hassles. Native performance means no lag in spreadsheet recalculations or presentation transitions. For executives, sales professionals, and consultants who need reliable access to their work environment across hotels, client offices, and home offices, Windows To Go delivers a consistent experience without requiring IT support to install software on every computer you might use. Combined with BitLocker encryption, your portable workspace remains secure even if the drive is lost.
IT Administrators and Technical Support Staff benefit from having both technologies available for different situations. Windows To Go serves as a powerful tool for on-site diagnostics, system recovery, and running tools that require direct hardware access. When you need to boot a problematic machine into a known-good environment, access the file system of a non-booting computer, or run hardware-specific diagnostic utilities, Windows To Go provides the native environment you need. Virtual machines complement this toolkit by providing isolated test environments for trying software, safely exploring untrusted content, or creating standardized test configurations. Many IT professionals carry both a Windows To Go drive and a collection of VM images, using each technology for situations where its strengths are most valuable.
Software Developers and Testers typically lean toward virtual machines due to their excellent support for creating isolated test environments. Developers often need multiple VM configurations for testing applications against different Windows versions, different browser versions, or different configuration states. VM snapshots make it easy to capture a known state before making changes and revert when needed. Containerization technologies (Docker, WSL) integrate well with VM-based development environments. However, developers working with graphics-intensive applications, requiring direct GPU access, or testing performance-critical code may prefer Windows To Go for its native hardware access. Some development workflows benefit from both approaches—using VMs for development and testing while keeping a Windows To Go drive for demonstrations or client environments.
Security-Conscious Users and Privacy Advocates should evaluate their specific threat model when choosing between technologies. If your concern is primarily protecting data at rest (lost or stolen drive), Windows To Go with BitLocker provides robust protection. If your concern is protecting your host system from potentially malicious content you're running, VMs provide superior isolation. Users who frequently download and examine suspicious files, visit risky websites for research, or test unknown software should consider VMs for those activities while potentially using Windows To Go for routine productive work. For maximum security, some users employ a hybrid approach—running security-critical activities in VMs while keeping sensitive data on encrypted Windows To Go drives that are never exposed to potentially compromised host systems.
Mac Users Needing Windows have particularly strong options in both technologies. Windows To Go allows Mac users to boot their Intel-based Macs (or Macs with Boot Camp) into a native Windows environment without partitioning their internal drive, preserving macOS storage while enabling full Windows functionality when needed. This approach is valuable for Mac users who need occasional Windows access without the permanence of Boot Camp installation. Virtualization on macOS through Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox provides excellent Windows integration with features like Coherence mode (running Windows apps alongside Mac apps) and seamless file sharing. For Mac users, the choice often depends on how frequently they need Windows and whether they require full hardware access for graphics-intensive applications or hardware-dependent peripherals.
Students and Education Users typically find Windows To Go offers the best balance of performance, simplicity, and cost. Students often work on various computers (personal laptops, library computers, school lab computers) and need a consistent environment for their coursework. Windows To Go provides this consistency without requiring software installation on every computer they'll use. The relatively low cost of a quality USB drive makes Windows To Go accessible for students, and the ability to use any computer on campus without software restrictions is valuable. Students studying computer science or IT may also benefit from VM experience for coursework involving virtualization, but for general academic use, Windows To Go typically provides better value.
Creative Professionals and Power Users with demanding applications should carefully evaluate their specific requirements. Video editors, 3D artists, photographers using Adobe Creative Cloud, and other creative professionals whose work involves graphics-intensive applications need to consider whether VMs meet their performance needs or if Windows To Go's native hardware access is required. For many creative workflows, modern VMs with GPU passthrough or sufficient software rendering capability provide acceptable performance while offering valuable benefits like snapshot-based backup of project states. However, for maximum performance with demanding applications, Windows To Go running on a powerful computer may provide a better experience. Consider testing both approaches with your actual workflow before committing to one technology.
After examining the characteristics of both technologies, you're now equipped to make an informed decision. This framework summarizes the key factors and provides guidance for selecting the technology—or combination of technologies—that best meets your needs.
Choose Windows To Go When: You need native hardware performance for your applications; direct access to peripherals, printers, or specialized equipment is essential; you work across multiple computers and need a consistent environment without installing software on each; your primary concern is data protection on a portable drive; you want a simpler setup without managing virtualization software; you need to boot computers that cannot run virtualization software; you work with graphics-intensive applications or need full GPU access; or you want a complete Windows experience that operates independently of the host operating system. Windows To Go is optimal for business professionals, mobile workers, and anyone whose productivity depends on native performance and full hardware access.
Choose Virtual Machines When: You need to run Windows on a non-Windows computer occasionally; isolation from the host system is important for security or testing; you need to test software across multiple Windows versions or configurations; you want to experiment with software without affecting your main system; you need snapshots to capture and restore system states; your hardware cannot comfortably run both host and guest operating systems simultaneously; or you're exploring untrusted content and need strong isolation. VMs are optimal for developers, security researchers, testers, and users who need temporary Windows access on non-Windows systems.
Consider Both Technologies When: Your needs span both native performance and isolated testing environments; you want flexibility to choose the best tool for each specific task; your security requirements call for isolation in some scenarios and full hardware access in others; budget and time permit deploying both solutions; or you're uncertain which technology best fits your needs and want to experiment with both before committing. Many power users ultimately find value in maintaining both a Windows To Go drive for daily productivity and VM images for specialized needs.
Implementation Resources can help you get started with either technology. For Windows To Go creation, Hasleo WinToUSB provides professional-grade tools for creating portable Windows installations on USB drives. The software supports all modern Windows versions and includes features like BitLocker encryption for data protection. Comprehensive guides are available for creating portable Windows 11/10 USB drives, cloning existing Windows installations, and installing Windows 11 on external drives. For virtual machines, VirtualBox offers a free option suitable for most personal and testing needs, while commercial options like VMware Workstation or Parallels provide additional features for professional use.
Final Recommendations based on common scenarios: For most business professionals seeking portable Windows, Windows To Go provides the best overall experience with its combination of performance, simplicity, and full hardware access. For developers and IT professionals who need testing and isolation capabilities, VMs provide essential functionality that Windows To Go cannot match. For users with diverse needs, maintaining both technologies provides maximum flexibility—use Windows To Go for productive work and VMs for testing, development, and security-sensitive activities. The investment in learning and deploying both technologies is justified if your workflow benefits from the unique strengths each offers.
Virtual machines and Windows To Go represent two powerful but fundamentally different approaches to portable Windows computing. Neither technology is universally superior—the best choice depends entirely on your specific requirements, workflow, and priorities. Windows To Go excels in performance, hardware access, and providing a native Windows experience across any computer. Virtual machines excel in isolation, flexibility, and running Windows on non-Windows hosts.
The analysis in this guide provides a foundation for understanding these technologies and making an informed decision. However, the best choice often becomes clear through hands-on experience. If you're uncertain, consider trying both approaches—create a Windows To Go drive using WinToUSB and experiment with a free VM solution like VirtualBox. Your practical experience with both technologies will quickly reveal which approach (or combination of approaches) best serves your specific needs.
Whether you ultimately choose Windows To Go for its native performance and simplicity, virtual machines for their isolation and flexibility, or both technologies for maximum flexibility, you now have the knowledge to implement the right solution for your portable computing requirements.
Q: Can I run Windows To Go on a Mac computer?
A: Yes, Windows To Go can boot on Intel-based Macs using Boot Camp or by setting the Mac to boot from USB. Apple Silicon Macs cannot boot Windows To Go natively as they use ARM architecture.
Q: Do I need to install virtualization software for Windows To Go?
A: No, Windows To Go boots directly from USB using the computer's BIOS/UEFI. No additional software is needed on the target computer, unlike virtual machines which require hypervisor software.
Q: Is Windows To Go faster than a virtual machine?
A: Yes, Windows To Go runs directly on hardware with near-native performance. VMs add overhead from the hypervisor layer and must share resources with the host OS, typically resulting in 10-20% performance reduction.
Q: Can I use peripherals with Windows To Go?
A: Yes, Windows To Go has full native access to all host computer hardware including USB devices, printers, network adapters, and graphics. VMs have more limited peripheral support through USB passthrough.
Q: Which is better for security: VM or Windows To Go?
A: VMs provide better isolation for testing untrusted content. Windows To Go with BitLocker provides stronger data-at-rest protection. Choose based on your primary security concern: isolation vs. drive encryption.
