Hi guys, basically as the title says I want to make external SSD drive with “Windows to Go” for the stuff that I really need Windows for unfortunately (proprietary CAD software) but there is no software for making this on Linux that I can find
Edit: typo
Windows To Go was discontinued back in 2019 so it’s not really something that has been maintained or updated for a long time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_To_Go#Discontinuation
Apps like Rufus (Windows only) are still able to create that sort of boot USB but it’s sort of a non supported feature, wouldn’t be surprised if it just stops working one day.
On Linux Ventoy is often used for this - it does have a persistence plugin but not for Windows https://www.ventoy.net/en/plugin_persistence.html
I haven’t tested this idea, but maybe you can run a Windows VM within Linux, enable USB in it, download Rufus in it, then you can create your non-official Windows To Go boot disk that way? Could be something to try if you never find another solution.
Thanks Yes this is what I was thinking to try next if I run out of options
You could just pull your drives, install a nvme and install windows. Then pull that drive and put it in an enclosure. Then choose that drive when booting. Idk if that works on modern windows but the install then pulling the drive used to work on 7-
At first I thought about this too. Didn’t work with either Windows 10 or 11 iso. It didn’t boot after I took it out and put in the enclosure
I can confirm M.2 to PCIe adapters work for booting Windows. Had both my Linux drive and Windows drive each in a separate one when I used to dual boot. Then I would swap out which adapter was in the computer to switch OS.
I haven’t plugged the Windows one in in a loooong time, but wanted to mention the option since it would do what you want.
Thanks but I should have mentioned It is a laptop I’m talking about here. If it was a PC there would be options like the adapter you mentioned
Cause u need if u are using grub use os-prober that it would add boot manager of windows on the list of grub
Yes I will update the grub for ease of use but first I need to get windows to boot when I choose it in BIOS boot menu
Why not just run Windows in a VM?
Unfortunately not everything works in a VM
I don’t think you need to involve Linux at all if you boot the official windows installer. I would just install the SSD as the only drive internally and install to it, then put it back in its enclosure.
I tried but it does not boot from it when I put it back. It should be Windows to go
If it still boots from the internal disk then you may just need to set the boot priority to prefer your external drive. That’ll be mobo specific unfortunately so I can’t give any tips. I’ve had systems set up to boot from external media when plugged in so it should work.
Back in the day there was also an issue with running full windows installs from USB drives where you needed to prevent it from reinitializing USB devices during bootup since that would interfere with itself, but I’m not seeing anything recent about that so hopefully that’s not an issue anymore.
Ventoy supports any iso, including Windows
Yes it does and it’s great but it does not support setting up “Windows to Go”
Sorry to almost have misled you
I used Rufus to make Linus boot USBs for AGES
Are you planning to use the SSD across multiple computers?
No I read that it won’t work
I’m sure windows activation will complain, but you should be able to dd your windows partition (or disk) over to the external disk, set up a bootloader (windows can do this, but something like grub or syslinux I know would work to hand off to the windows bootloader)
I don’t know anything about bitlocker stuff, probably needs to be decrypted before this can work.
That’s what I would try, even though it’s not wrapped up in a single tool.
I have never used Bitlocker before and I’ll keep it off. Also yes some else mentioned I can just use dd I’ll look into it thanks
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You can use something like virt-manager to mount your USB as a hard drive within the VM then install it from an ISO file.
I would recommend something like Tiny11 for this, but make sure to install the appropriate drivers for your hardware first (or at least have the installers ready for when you reboot).
Your posts are a bit confusing to read because you don’t capitalize Windows To Go. Capitalizing it would make it easier to understand.
Fixed it
