WinToUSB is a lightweight, user-friendly tool that enables you to create and run bootable Windows installations on USB drives or external hard drives. It provides a convenient solution for portable Windows systems or emergency recovery tools.

WinToUSB (also called Windows To USB) is a free Windows To Go (WTG) creator that lets you install and run a fully functional version of Windows on an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or Thunderbolt drive. It is simple and efficient – just three steps and a few minutes are all it takes to create your first portable Windows 11/10/8/7 (x64/x86/ARM64) or Windows Server installation.

You can build it directly from an ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD, VHDX, or DBI file (DBI is the extension for backup image files created by Hasleo Backup Suite), or from a CD/DVD. Alternatively, you can clone your current Windows installation to a USB or Thunderbolt drive and run it as a portable version.

WinToUSB also supports creating a Windows installation USB drive from Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server installation ISOs, allowing you to install Windows from a USB drive with ease. If you want to upgrade a WTG Workspace to Windows 11 24H2 or Windows 10 22H2, please go to Hasleo Windows To Go Upgrader.

Can I convert an existing internal hard drive with Windows installed into a portable Windows-to-Go drive without reinstalling?

Yes, you can. Simply connect the internal drive (for example, via a USB enclosure), launch the conversion feature in the software, select the target drive, and start the conversion from internal disk to Windows-to-Go. After the process, you'll be able to boot directly from that drive.

What use cases make WinToUSB especially useful?

It shines in scenarios where you need a personalized, bootable Windows environment on the go. Perfect for IT tasks, troubleshooting, or simply carrying your system between devices.

Can I use any kind of Windows image to create a portable system?

Yes. WinToUSB supports a wide variety of Windows installation formats, including ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD, and VHDX files, as well as CDs/DVDs. You can even clone your currently running Windows installation directly to a USB or Thunderbolt drive, which adds considerable flexibility to how you build your portable workspace.

Is hardware compatibility limited to certified USB drives?

Not at all. One of WinToUSB's standout features is that it allows you to create Windows To Go environments on uncertified USB drives.

Can I secure my portable Windows installation with encryption?

Yes, WinToUSB offers built-in BitLocker encryption support, enabling you to protect your portable Windows drive just as you would with an internal Windows installation.

Features

  • Creation of Windows To Go from ISO, WIM, VHD, VHDX or CD/DVD drive.
  • Clone Windows 11/10/8/7 to USB/Thunderbolt drive as portable Windows.
  • Creation of Windows To Go on Non-Certified Windows To Go USB drive.
  • Encrypt Windows To Go with BitLocker to keep your data safe.
  • Creation of Windows installation USB flash drive with BIOS & UEFI support.
  • Use any edition of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2010 to create Windows To Go USB drive..
  • Support for Thunderbolt and non-512 byte sector size drives.

Windows To Go (Portable Windows) Creator

  • WinToUSB allows you to install & run fully-functional Windows on an external HDD/SSD, USB flash drive or Thunderbolt drive, which means you can carry the portable Windows drive to anywhere and use it on any computer.
  • Use any edition of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2010 to create Windows To Go Workspace.
  • Creation of Windows To Go from an ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD(X) image file or CD/DVD drive.
  • Clone existing Windows installation to USB drive or Thunderbolt drive as portable Windows.
  • Creation of Windows To Go on Non-Certified Windows To Go drive.
  • Hot clone Windows without restarting the source computer to be cloned.
  • Create BitLocker encrypted Windows To Go Workspace.
  • Support for creating VHD/VHDX-based Windows To Go Workspace.

Windows installation USB Creator

  • WinToUSB releases a feature called "Windows Installation USB Creator" which allows you to create a Windows installation USB flash drive from a Windows 11/10/8/7/vista/2019/2016/2012/2008 installation ISO file with a few simple steps, with this feature you can create a bootable Windows installation USB drive to install Windows on both Traditional BIOS and UEFI computers by using the same USB drive.

Windows PE Bootable USB Creator

  • WinToUSB also supports creating a bootable Windows PE USB drive, it can help you transfer the contents of a Windows PE image to a USB drive and make the USB drive bootable.

What's New

  • Added option to disable BitLocker automatic drive encryption when creating Windows installation USBs
  • Fixed bug: setup.exe cannot bypass the Windows 11 system requirements
  • Fixed bug: Cloned Windows ARM64 cannot start properly
  • Fix other minor bugs
  • Added support for system backup image files produced by Hasleo Backup Suite V5
  • The "Keep the existing partition scheme" option is supported when creating Windows installation USB and bootable WinPE USB drives
  • Fixed some bugs to improve product quality

Previous Release Notes:

  • Support for creating Windows To Go and Windows Installation USB drive with Windows 11 Arm64 ISO
  • Download Official Windows 11 Arm64 ISO file from Microsoft
  • Fixed issues related to downloading official Windows ISOs from Microsoft
  • Slovak language support
  • Fixed some bugs to improve product quality