Need your Windows setup on the go—apps, files, settings, and all? A portable Windows installation on an external SSD is the solution. Perfect for IT professionals, developers, or anyone who works across multiple machines.
This isn’t just a recovery USB—it’s a fully bootable Windows system you can carry in your pocket.
Method: Use Windows To Go (Unofficially)
Microsoft deprecated the official Windows To Go, but tools like Rufus and WinToUSB still make it possible on modern Windows versions.
What You Need
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Windows 10 or 11 ISO
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A USB 3.0+ external SSD (not flash drive) with at least 64GB
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Rufus (recommended for speed and simplicity)
Step-by-Step Guide (Using Rufus)
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Download Rufus from https://rufus.ie
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Insert your external SSD and launch Rufus
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Select:
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Device: Your external SSD
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Boot selection: Windows ISO
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Image option: Windows To Go
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Partition scheme: GPT
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File system: NTFS
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Click Start
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Choose the Windows edition and set the username/password
The process takes around 15–30 minutes depending on drive speed.
First Boot Setup
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Plug the SSD into any compatible PC
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Boot into BIOS/UEFI
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Select the external SSD as boot device
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Complete initial setup (you only need to do this once)
Limitations to Be Aware Of
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BitLocker encryption may not work properly on external boot
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Activation may need to be re-validated on each system
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Some features like Secure Boot or TPM may cause boot issues on locked-down corporate systems
Use Cases
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Travel-ready dev or test environment
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Secure browsing/workspace on public computers
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Repair OS for clients with a fully-equipped bootable system
A portable Windows SSD turns any compatible PC into your personal workstation—fast, secure, and private.