They are limited, and you’ll want to keep that in mind. They do use a weak processor (typically Atom or Core M3) and usually only have 32 or 64 GB of onboard storage. They feature USB ports and a port for power. Intel’s Compute Stick plugs into an HDMI port and runs a full copy of 32-bit Windows. If you know that’s not an option, but a TV or monitor with HDMI input as well as keyboard and mouse input is available, you can use an Intel Compute Stick. And that computer must let you boot from USB devices, which isn’t always possible.

Here’s the downside: You’ll need a computer wherever you’re going. Use A Compute Stick When Only A Monitor Is Available Intel Once you’re at a computer you want to launch your copy of Windows from, you’ll need to reboot, get to the BIOS and choose the option to boot off USB devices. Rufus is a portable app, so it doesn’t require installation. To start, you’ll need to download Rufus and launch it.

Option 1: Install Windows on a USB Drive with Rufus

A valid license for your portable copy of Windows.

A USB 3.0 Flash Drive with at least 32 GB of storage-bigger is better! You could use a 2.0 USB drive, but it will be extremely slow.

What You’ll Need to Get Startedįor this process to work, you’re going to need a few items: You’ll want this to work with both and WinToUSB charges for that feature. Of the two, Rufus edges out as the better option since you don’t have to pay for compatibility with both modern UEFI and legacy computers. Just download and run the program, pick Windows 10 and then choose the appropriate Windoption. Alternatively, you can download Windows 1803 using the Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool. Rufus doesn’t offer the option to install 1809 at all.

With WinToUSB you’ll need to pay if you want to install Windows 10 1809-that’s the October 2018 Update.

If you want an alternative with less overhead, Rufus and WinToUSB are free for most cases and easy to use with one catch. You can use Portable VirtualBox, but that requires installing VM software and an OS to run from. We’ve detailed a method around this, but it’s complicated and involves command line work. Unfortunately, the official “Windows To Go” feature from Microsoft is only for Windows Enterprise and requires a certified USB flash drive (which are expensive).

Wintousb linux