WinToGo Free Version for W10 Pro

wptski said:

WinToUSB isn't a better tool it's one of the options that didn't work for me. Staying clear of v1703 right now as it has compatibility issues with Paragon HDM15S the backup program that I've used for years.

The latest version 3.5 is very good and handles multiple partitions on a standard usb drive with 1703.

Re. Paragon, there are many equally good or possibly better tools for backing up and handling partitions. In any case, can't you do it from a bootable flash drive anyway? My experience with Paragon (I have a licence for one of their backup tools) has never been a happy one.

wptski said:

It was early March when I doing this, don't know what version I was using and everything that didn't work was deleted. Just posting what worked for me and what didn't.
The Paragon issues weren't mine but another user, yes, from a bootable flash drive did work for them and was a test that I suggested. Like antivirus, everyone has their favorites.

I am guessing you probably used an older version of winusb - version 3.5 was released on 6th March.

wptski said:

Yes, you are supposed to be able to do that and within so many seconds without any problems.

Link to said info please? I don't think that's right. You should shutdown before pulling the drive.

wptski said:

That was a YouTube video showing its use back when released on W8.1. Do a search, I'm sure you'll find it. That was to show one that everything was running off the USB drive. A screen comes up informing you that you have X amount of time to plug the drive back in.

I still wouldn't do it. If you pull it while Windows is writing to the drive it will be corrupted.

alphanumeric said:

Link to said info please? I don't think that's right. You should shutdown before pulling the drive.

You are right.

TRUE Windows To Go as created by Microsoft using certified Windows Drives are desgined not to corrupt USB drive if prematurely removed - of course the live session will crash if there is no drive inserted. I am unaware it will carry on for 15 minutes - possibly assuming you do not try to access stuff on drive in that time.

HOWEVER, what is created by RUFUS or WINTOUSB is NOT a Windows To Go installation although everybody calls it that for simplicity. What it is, is simply Windows bootable from a USB drive and does not have the Windows To Go protection if drive is removed. This is no different from removing any flash drive if you do not properly eject it - you risk corruption. Here the system will crash the moment you remove the drive.