Windows to Go for Windows 8 or Windows 8 Server (boot from USB) I wanted to play around with Hyper-V on my laptop but didn't want to wipe Windows 7 to do it and I wasn't about to dual-boot. Enter a cool new feature from the windows 8 family - "Windows to Go" . Windows to Go allows you to install the Windows 8 family onto, that's right not from, a USB stick. This process is the same for either Windows 8
(client) or Windows 8 Server Tools used: Most others say that you have to download Windows AIK (1.8gb) just to make use of imagex.exe but I have spoken about gimagex.exe before. It's just a GUI wrapper for imagex and works well if you don't really like to memorize a bunch of command lines to image systems and it's FREE! Either Windows 8 Consumer Edition ISO or Windows 8 Beta A tool like WinRar to extract the files from the ISO diskpart.exe Hardware Required: At least a 16Gb usb thumb drive. You are going to want to purchase a usb 3.0 drive if you have the slots available as this is booting windows from the USB key. Steps: Open command prompt and enter the following commands List Disk - This will show you a list of the physical disks that you have plugged into your computer. Make note of the number that is your USB key Sel Disk 1 - where 1 is your USB stick Clean - wipes the drive out Create Partition Primary format fs=ntfs quick label=Win2Go active assign exit Extract the Windows 8 ISO to c:\extracted\win8 (or wherever you are comfortable with) Open gimagex.exe Select the Apply tab at the top Select the install.wim file from the extracted ISO - ie. c:\extracted\win8\sources\install.wim as the Source Select the drive letter of your freshly formatted USB key as the Destination Click Apply and wait :) Once gimagex Apply reaches 100% open a command prompt and enter the following command: bcdboot f:\windows /s f: - where f: is your usb key That's it, your done! Boot your computer off of your usb key and let setup complete.
