Windows To Go Pros and Cons

Windows To Go

The advantage of Windows To Go lies in its mobility and portability, while the disadvantage is that several features of the classic Windows system are restricted.

• Introduction
• Windows To Go Overview
• Differences between Windows To Go and traditional Windows installation methods
• Using Windows To Go to work on the move
• Preparing to install Windows To Go
• Hardware Requirements
• USB Hard Drive or USB Flash Drive
• Host computer
• Checking architecture compatibility between the host PC and the Windows To Go drive
• Windows To Go Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Windows To Go has been around for many years, yet there is so little Chinese documentation available on Baidu, which makes one worry about the development of domestic IT technology. The author J hasn’t been working for long and has limited ability, but encounters a large amount of English development documentation at work. Therefore, I hope to do some basic paving work to facilitate future readers to check. If there are any improprieties, please do not hesitate to point them out. Windows To Go has detailed official documentation; those with English reading ability can jump directly to the Microsoft official documentation. The links are as follows:

• Windows To Go Overview
• Best practice recommendations for Windows To Go
• Deployment considerations for Windows To Go
• Prepare your organization for Windows To Go
• Security and data protection considerations for Windows To Go
• Windows To Go: frequently asked questions

This article will mainly introduce the Overview and some frequently asked questions. Most of the content is translated, and a small amount of the author’s reminders are marked with [J] until the end of the period to ensure that readers are not misled.

Windows To Go Overview

Windows To Go is a feature on Windows Enterprise and Education editions. Most home users use the Home edition, which does not have this feature. It enables us to create a portable Windows system that boots from a USB flash drive or hard drive. Windows To Go was not created to replace traditional work tools. Its main purpose is to make people who frequently switch workspaces more efficient. Before starting to use Windows To Go, users must understand the following considerations:

• Differences between Windows To Go and traditional Windows installation methods;
• Using Windows To Go to work on the move;
• Preparing to install Windows To Go;
• Hardware requirements.

Differences between Windows To Go and traditional Windows installation methods

The working environment of Windows To Go is almost exactly the same as that of traditional Windows, with only the following differences:

• Except for the USB drive in use, other hard drives on the machine are offline by default. That is, they are not visible in File Explorer; this is to protect data security. [J] However, you still have ways to make other hard drives appear and modify files inside them.
• The TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is not available. The TPM module is bound to a specific computer to protect business data. [J] Most civilian computers do not have a TPM module, but if your business computer has already joined the company’s domain, it is best not to try using Windows To Go on that computer; otherwise, I suggest you prepare your resume for your next job first.
• Hibernation in Windows To Go is disabled by default, but it can still be enabled via Group Policy. [J] Many machines disconnect from USB devices during hibernation, resulting in an inability to resume from hibernation. This is easy to understand; Microsoft has already considered this for us, so there is no need to modify this setting.
• The Windows Restore feature is disabled. If the system has problems, you can only reinstall Windows.
• Reset to factory settings is not available, and resetting Windows is not available.
• Upgrades are not available. Windows can only stay at the version at the time of installation; you cannot upgrade from Windows 7 to 8, nor can you upgrade from Windows 10 Redstone 1 to Redstone 2.

Using Windows To Go to work on the move

Windows To Go can switch between multiple machines. The system automatically decides the drivers required for device startup. Some applications that are strongly associated with system hardware may not run. [J] For example, ThinkPad touchpad settings programs, fingerprint recognition settings programs, etc.

Preparing to install Windows To Go

You can use System Center Configuration Manager or standard Windows deployment tools, such as DiskPart and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). You need to consider the following issues:

• Are there drivers that need to be injected into the Windows To Go image?
• How to appropriately store and sync data when moving work across different machines?
• 32-bit or 64-bit? [J] New machines support 64-bit. Machines with 64-bit processors can also run 32-bit systems, but 32-bit processors cannot run 64-bit systems. 64-bit systems occupy more hard drive space and memory space when running. If the processor architecture of the machine you need to migrate to includes processors that only support 32-bit, or if the machine memory is less than 4GB, I recommend you use a 32-bit system.
• What should the resolution be when connecting remotely from a network outside the collaborative network?

Hardware Requirements

USB Hard Drive or USB Flash Drive

Windows To Go has been specifically optimized for the devices listed below to meet requirements, including:

• Optimizing high random read/write of USB devices to make daily operations smoother.
• Can boot Windows 7 and later systems on certified devices.
• Even when running Windows To Go, USB devices enjoy original manufacturer warranty support. [J] It doesn’t say the computer with the USB drive plugged in will enjoy the warranty.

USB devices that are not certified do not support the use of Windows To Go. [J] You will know if you try it; if it doesn’t work, you’ll also know why. [J] At the same time, there are alternative methods on the internet to modify the USB drive manufacturer and model to force support, so I won’t go into details.

Host computer

• Certified to support Windows 7 and later systems.
• Computers running Windows RT are not supported.
• Apple Mac computers are not supported. [J] Although the internet is full of discussions about the experience of running Windows To Go on Mac, the official documentation clearly states that the Mac usage scenario is not supported.

The following lists the minimum configuration for the host computer.

Checking architecture compatibility between the host PC and the Windows To Go drive

Windows To Go Frequently Asked Questions

Windows To Go: frequently asked questions

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