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| Run Windows 8 from a USB 3.0 flash drive like this, with Windows To Go |
One of the more interesting features of Windows 8 is Windows To Go, a way of installing Windows on, and running it from, a USB stick. It's something users have been demanding for some time (and was last seen with Windows 3.11's execute in place ROM option).
Using Windows To Go is very simple. Just plug a Windows To Go USB 3.0 flash drive into a PC and boot from the drive. The first time you boot on a new PC Windows To Go will configure its drivers, before booting into Windows 8. It's a similar process to that used by a Windows image that's installing over a network — and it's not surprising that Windows To Go drives are created using a new version of the familiar Imagex tool. Sadly it's not part of either the Windows 8 client or server previews, but we were lucky to pick up a ready-made Windows To Go installation on a 32GB Kingston USB 3.0 flash drive in a packed session at BUILD.
Once Windows 8 has booted, you can use the host PC as if it was your PC. The host system's disks are offline, and the only storage users can see or access is on the flash drive, reducing the risks of malware infecting either the host or the Windows To Go flash drive — although it can work with removable media inserted into the host PC's ports. There's also the option of encrypting Windows To Go with BitLocker, locking drives down and keeping them secure from prying eyes. If a drive is pulled from a PC accidentally, the screen will freeze, and if Windows To Go isn't re-inserted within 60 seconds the host PC is automatically shut down.
This really is a very useful way of running Windows 8. It lets users share PCs, or use it where a full VDI infrastructure is impractical or expensive. There's plenty of scope for a tool like this in education, where class PCs could be used by everyone, and by low-income users in developing countries. It even acts as a secure way of working with untrusted machines in internet cafés, or to provide consultants and contractors with access to your business systems.
There are so many things that could be done with Windows To Go, and we're worried that the language Microsoft used to describe it as BUILD means it will just be a subscription benefit for volume licensing customers. Tools like this should be for everyone — not just for enterprises. Why not let every user make a Windows To Go image as part of the standard Windows licence, with additional copies available for a fee?
