If you’re using a PC outfitted with an older version of Windows but want a more up-to-date operating system, you can run Windows 10 or 11 directly from a USB drive.
You’ll need a USB flash drive with at least 16GB of free space, but preferably 32GB. You’ll also need a license to activate Windows 10 or Windows 11 on the USB drive, which means you have to either purchase one or use an existing one associated with your digital ID. You can then use a Windows USB utility to set up the USB drive with either OS. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to boot up off the drive to launch Windows.
The major downside of booting from a USB drive is that Windows will run slower than it does off your hard drive. But if you’re in a pinch, you can at least work with the OS and access different apps this way.
Microsoft once offered its own tool called Windows to Go, which could generate a bootable Windows USB drive with the Enterprise and Education versions of Windows 10. However, the company stopped development on that program and no longer updates it. Instead, you can turn to two utility programs, WinToUSB and Rufus, which will create a bootable drive from any version of the operating system and on any type of USB drive.
Download Windows 10 ISO File
If you want to run Windows 10 from the USB drive, the first step is to sign into your current Windows 10 computer and create a Windows 10 ISO file that will be used to install the operating system onto the drive.
To do this, navigate to the Download Windows 10 website, which offers the latest edition of Windows 10; as of this writing, that’s Windows 10 November 2021 Update or Windows 10 version 21H2. Click Download tool now to save a MediaCreationTool.exe file on your PC.
Double-click this file to install the program. At the first screen, click the Access button. Then click the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC button and click Next. Confirm that the language, architecture, and edition are all correct and click Next.
You are then asked to choose what media you want to use. Though you ultimately want to run Windows from a USB drive, click ISO file (not USB flash drive) and then click Next.
Choose a location on your hard drive to store the Windows ISO file and click Save. Windows 10 will then generate the necessary ISO file. When the process is done, click Finish.
Download Windows 11 ISO File
In order to run Windows 11 from a USB drive, you’ll need to obtain a Windows 11 ISO file to install the operating system onto the drive. Browse to the Download Windows 11 website and scroll down to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section.
Click the Select Download drop-down menu and choose the Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO) option. Then click the Download button. Choose the product language and click Confirm. Then click the 64-bit Download button and save the ISO file to your hard drive.
Create Drive With WinToUSB
In order to put a bootable ISO file onto your USB drive, it’s time to enlist the aid of a third-party program like WinToUSB. This tool comes in three versions—Free, Professional, and Enterprise. Start with the free version, but be aware that it poses certain limitations. You can freely create an installation of the Home version for Windows 10 or Windows 11 but not the Professional or Enterprise flavors. If you need either of these editions, the Professional version of WinToUSB costs $29.95, while the Enterprise option will run you $199.95. Download and install the WinToUSB software from its dedicated website.
Next, connect a blank USB flash drive to your computer and launch WinToUSB from its Start menu shortcut. At the introductory screen, click the search button next to the Image File field and choose the ISO file you created for Windows 10 or 11.
Select the version of Windows that you wish to clone onto the USB stick, then click Next. If you’re using the free version, your only choice will be Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home.
You will then need to select your destination disk. Open the drop-down menu and choose your USB drive. A message will pop up asking you to select a partition scheme. For older computers with a legacy BIOS mode, click the MBR for BIOS option.
For newer computers with UEFI mode enabled, click GPT for UEFI. You can also choose MBR for BIOS and UEFI if you bought one of the paid versions of WinToUSB. Click Yes to continue.
At the next screen, choose the Legacy option for Installation Mode. Click Next and your Windows USB drive will now be created. When the installation process reaches 100%, indicating that it’s finished, close the WinToUSB program and remove the USB drive.
Create Drive With Rufus
Another solid utility is Rufus. Download, install, and launch the program. At the Drive Properties window, select your USB drive in the Device field, if it’s not already selected. Click the Select button next to the Boot selection field and select your Windows ISO file.
Click the Image option field and change it to Windows to Go. For older computers with a legacy BIOS mode, change the partition scheme to MBR. For newer computers with UEFI mode enabled, change it to GPT. You can leave the other options at their default values. If you wish, change the Volume label to a name like Windows 10 or Windows 11. Then click the Start button.
At the next screen, choose the version of Windows that you want to run on the USB drive, then click OK. A warning message flashes that all data on your USB drive will be destroyed. Click OK to continue. Rufus will now copy the necessary files to the drive. Once the process is complete, close the Rufus window.
Launch Windows From a Flash Drive
When you want to launch Windows on a different computer, insert your USB drive into that PC. Press the appropriate key for your computer make and model to get to your Boot menu and choose the option to boot up off the USB drive.
The first time you run Windows off the USB drive, you’ll need to go through the familiar Windows setup process. You’ll also need to activate Windows. You can then install Windows applications onto the USB drive and access any files or documents stored online, so the experience comes close to working on one of your own Windows PCs.
