Can I install Windows 11 directly onto a USB drive?

Windows does not natively support installation onto a USB drive, but you can run Windows 11 from a USB by using a VHDx file, as outlined in our guide.

What is the best USB drive for running Windows 11?

For the best performance, use a USB 3.1 or 3.2 drive with at least 128GB of storage. An external SSD with USB-C support is an even better option for faster speeds.

Will this method work on any computer?

Yes, as long as the computer supports USB booting. However, performance may vary depending on the hardware, and some older systems may not be fully compatible.

Can I update Windows 11 while running from USB?

Yes, but updates may slow down performance and increase the size of the VHDx file. It's recommended to disable automatic updates and install only necessary updates manually.

How do I improve performance when running Windows 11 from USB?

Use a high-speed USB 3.1+ drive or an external SSD, disable unnecessary Windows features, and allocate enough space for the VHDx file to prevent slowdowns.

Can I use this method to dual-boot Windows 11 with another OS?

Yes, using YUMI or a similar tool, you can add multiple operating systems to a single USB drive and select which one to boot from at startup.

What should I do if my USB drive is not detected in BIOS?

Try using a different USB port, update your BIOS firmware, or check if Secure Boot is enabled in BIOS settings, as it may block booting from external devices.

Can I clone my bootable Windows USB to another drive?

Yes, you can use disk cloning software to copy the USB, but ensure that the target drive has enough space and is formatted correctly.

Is this method different from Windows To Go?

Yes, Windows To Go was an official Microsoft feature that has been discontinued. This method uses a VHDx file, allowing more flexibility while running Windows from USB.

Can I use a USB-C drive instead of a regular USB-A drive?

Yes, as long as your computer supports USB-C booting. USB-C drives with NVMe SSDs offer the best performance for running Windows from USB.

Boot Windows 11 from USB on a Virtual Hard Disk (VHDx) Image

Easily Boot Windows 11 from USB with a VHDx Image. Want to run Windows 11 from a USB drive, without installation? This guide shows you how to create a portable Windows setup using a Virtual Hard Disk (VHDx) file, so you can take Windows 10 or 11 anywhere. It’s the perfect Windows To Go alternative, allowing you to bypass system requirements and run Windows portably on any computer that supports USB booting.

For this process, we'll use YUMI as our Windows media creation tool. However, you could also use Universal USB Installer if you prefer.

Making a Windows Bootable USB

Above is the Phoenix LiteOS version of Windows 11 Pro Plus, running entirely from a self-contained, dynamically expandable VHDx image file on a YUMI exFAT formatted USB flash drive. This setup works just as well with Windows 10 builds.

Why Create a Windows Bootable USB with VHDx?

Booting Windows 11 or 10 from a VHDx image on a USB drive offers unique advantages:

Run Windows portably on multiple computers without installation.
Contain the Windows installation in a single VHDx file, making it easy to back up, restore, or copy to other devices.
Bypass system requirements such as TPM, CPU, RAM, and storage restrictions.
Use additional OS images and system tools on the same USB.

Since the entire installation is stored within a dynamic .vhdx image on an exFAT formatted USB device, you can continue using the drive for storage while booting Windows from it.

How to Create a Windows 11 Bootable USB

Follow these steps to create a Windows 11 bootable USB using YUMI exFAT:

Download YUMI exFAT and launch the tool.
1. Prepare your USB drive:
  - Select your USB drive from the dropdown list.
  - Check the box to prepare the device.
2. Choose your Windows version:
  - Select Phoenix LiteOS or Windows X-Lite from the distribution menu.
  - (If needed, download the Phoenix LiteOS ISO.)
3. Configure VHDx settings:
  - Browse to and select the downloaded ISO file.
  - Optional: Adjust the slider to increase the VHDx file size (default is 30GB).
4. Click Create to start building your Windows bootable USB.

YUMI make Windows Bootable USB — Using YUMI to make Windows 11 bootable USB

Booting Windows from the YUMI USB Drive

To boot Windows 11 from USB:

Reboot your PC and access the BIOS to set the system to boot from USB.
Start Windows 11 from USB
From the YUMI boot menu, select Windows On VHD.
Choose your Phoenix LiteOS Windows 11 VHDx file.
Allow the system to restart as needed. If it returns to the boot menu, reselect your VHDx file.

Once Windows finishes setting up, you can continue to run Windows 11 directly from your USB drive. This setup is great for troubleshooting, testing software, or having portable Windows on the go.

YUMI Multiboot Capabilities

YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Installer) offers powerful multiboot capabilities, enabling you to add multiple ISO files to a single USB drive. This flexibility allows you to carry a variety of tools, utilities, operating systems, and even system rescue disks all in one place. With YUMI, you can create a USB drive that contains multiple Linux distributions, different versions of Windows, or a combination of both. It’s the perfect tool for anyone needing to take with them a portable, multi-OS environment or complete computer diagnostic toolkit.

As a Multi OS MultiSystem tool, YUMI breaks free from the limitations of single boot configurations, offering users the ability to boot from different ISOs on the same drive. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, IT professional, or just someone who likes to keep tools on hand, YUMI makes it easy to switch between multiple operating systems and utilities without the need for multiple USB drives.

In addition to being used as a Windows Media Creation Tool for creating Windows bootable USBs, YUMI allows you to:

Run multiple Linux distributions: Easily boot from your favorite Linux distros, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, or Linux Mint, all from a single drive.
Carry system repair and rescue tools: Store bootable utilities like Clonezilla, GParted, and other system repair tools, which can help you troubleshoot and fix computers on the go.
Install multiple versions of Windows: Keep several versions of Windows to Go (such as Windows 7, 10, and 11) available for installation or testing, saving you time and effort during OS deployment.
Create a rescue toolkit: Pack your USB with security utilities like antivirus tools, malware scanners, and password recovery tools for use in emergencies.
Leverage persistent storage: With YUMI’s persistence feature, you can make changes to Linux distributions that will be saved across reboots, making your portable environment more functional and personalized.

YUMI is far more than just a Windows Media Creation tool for creating a portable version of Windows to Go. By allowing you to create and manage a bootable multi OS setup, it offers immense flexibility and versatility for a variety of use cases. Whether you're using it for system recovery, OS installation, or even as a Live Linux portable work environment, YUMI is a must-have tool for anyone needing a reliable and customizable bootable USB solution. Explore all of YUMI’s features to get the most out of your USB drive and enhance your portable toolkit.

Security Considerations

For security conscious users and to prevent data corruption, consider the following:

Safely Eject the USB: Always eject the drive properly to avoid corruption.
Use BitLocker Encryption: For added security, encrypt the VHDx file with BitLocker to protect data on the portable OS.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

USB Stick Not Detected in BIOS: Try another port or update your BIOS firmware.

USB Formatting and Compatibility: exFAT is used because it supports larger files and works well with VHDx files. Ensure compatibility if using a USB drive over 4TB. Note that exFAT lacks journaling and some security features found in NTFS, so file recovery options may be limited.

Optimizing Windows on USB for Performance: Using a USB 3.0 or 3.1 drive significantly improves performance. Note that USB 2.0 drives and ports may make the operating system run noticeably slower.

Saving Drive Space: For devices with limited storage, consider shrinking the VHDx size after setup or optimizing space usage by removing unused Windows components.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I install Windows 11 directly onto a USB drive?: Windows does not natively support installation onto a USB drive, but you can run Windows 11 from a USB by using a VHDx file, as outlined in our guide.
What is the best USB drive for running Windows 11?: For the best performance, use a USB 3.1 or 3.2 drive with at least 128GB of storage. An external SSD with USB-C support is an even better option for faster speeds.
Will this method work on any computer?: Yes, as long as the computer supports USB booting. However, performance may vary depending on the hardware, and some older systems may not be fully compatible.
Can I update Windows 11 while running from USB?: Yes, but updates may slow down performance and increase the size of the VHDx file. It's recommended to disable automatic updates and install only necessary updates manually.
How do I improve performance when running Windows 11 from USB?: Use a high-speed USB 3.1+ drive or an external SSD, disable unnecessary Windows features, and allocate enough space for the VHDx file to prevent slowdowns.
Can I use this method to dual-boot Windows 11 with another OS?: Yes, using YUMI or a similar tool, you can add multiple operating systems to a single USB drive and select which one to boot from at startup.
What should I do if my USB drive is not detected in BIOS?: Try using a different USB port, update your BIOS firmware, or check if Secure Boot is enabled in BIOS settings, as it may block booting from external devices.
Can I clone my bootable Windows USB to another drive?: Yes, you can use disk cloning software to copy the USB, but ensure that the target drive has enough space and is formatted correctly.
Is this method different from Windows To Go?: Yes, Windows To Go was an official Microsoft feature that has been discontinued. This method uses a VHDx file, allowing more flexibility while running Windows from USB.
Can I use a USB-C drive instead of a regular USB-A drive?: Yes, as long as your computer supports USB-C booting. USB-C drives with NVMe SSDs offer the best performance for running Windows from USB.

Final Thoughts

This guide has walked you through creating a portable Windows 11 or Windows 10 installation that runs entirely from a USB drive (Window on USB). By leveraging YUMI and the Phoenix LiteOS optimized build, you can run the Windows bootable USB on almost any modern computer, bypassing Microsoft’s hardware requirements. Whether you’re testing, troubleshooting, or simply enjoying the flexibility of a portable OS, this USB boot solution offers a convenient and powerful way to work with Windows on the go.

Feel free to explore more tools and guides on Pendrive Linux to enhance your bootable USB experience!