How to run Windows 11 directly from a USB flash drive and possible uses: is it worth it?

Windows 11 is an operating system packed with many advantages. However, it lacks one of the coolest features of Linux, which can be very helpful in various circumstances.

This is the USB Live function, which It is used to integrate into a pendrive and used directly from said device.

In this way, it allows you to use the OS without the need for it to be installed in a storage unitsomething similar to what is done when using Windows 10 in a virtual machine.

If this is exactly what you want to do, it is not as complicated as it seems, so in this article you will learn the entire process step by step.

What are the requirements for using Windows 11 from a USB flash drive?

There are some requirements you need to meet before you decide to install Windows 11 on a USB flash drive so that there are no problems with the process.

The first thing you must have is a USB 3.2 of at least 128 GB due to the amount of storage required by the operating system. Also, it must be formatted.

The next step is to download the Windows 11 ISO from the official Microsoft website. You also need to install the Rufus program to create a boot disk.

Download RufusDownload Windows 11 ISO

How to run Windows 11 on a USB flash drive with Rufus

If you have used Rufus before, then you know that it is a software created for make bootable drivesbut also for testing operating systems from an external drive.

All this can be done thanks to the Windows To Go functionality, which is one of the boot options that the application allows.

Well, to start, Connect the USB flash drive to your computer and start Rufus. Then continue the process with the following steps:

• Select the USB Flash Drive that you have connected in the section of Device.
• In Boot Choice You have to put the option Windows To Go Image.
• Leave everything else as is and press the button. Begin.
• Wait until Rufus finishes creating the live USB drive and do not turn off your computer.

This It will take much longer than any other start-upbetween 15 and 25 minutes, since a USB does not have the same capacity and speed as an SSD drive.

After doing the above, Windows 11 should now be installed on the USB. Now, to run it, you have to keep it connected and turn off the computer.

Afterwards, turn it on and access the system BIOS. The interface you will see will be different depending on the model of your PC, but in general, you should find a section called Boot either Boot Device List.

Here you have to select the USB Flash Drive either EFI USB Device. This way, when you turn on the PC and have the pendrive connected, will directly access the Windows 11 that you have installed on it.

Remember that to return to your main operating system, you will have to repeat the BIOS process and select it.

Is it worth running Windows 11 from a USB flash drive?

While the process is simple when putting Windows on a USB stick, the fact that Using it is not recommended.

The reason it is not a viable option is the speed with which it runs and performs actions, since a USB does not have the same power as an SSD hard drive.

For example, the assistant unit It may take up to 30 minutes to fully chargewhile when you start using it as a normal OS, the experience can become somewhat frustrating due to its slowness.

Although USB works and you can run several apps without any major issues, the performance is not optimal. In fact, it has several disadvantages, such as slow transfer speeds, problems with updates, and even driver errors.

In conclusion, If you plan to use few programs or the native tools without requiring much RAM and CPU, then it is fine to install it, especially if you want to do testing.

However, it is best to avoid this approach due to the lack of speed and efficiency, as relying on an operating system inside a USB will only waste your time.

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Tags: USB, Tips, Tricks, Windows 11, Pendrive, Tutorial