Start Win8 from a USB device

Windows Startup methods have changed significantly since Windows 7. We all know that Windows 7 and later versions support starting from VHD-a virtual disk format-with the advantage that the System Backup recovery is extremely convenient. The VHD-enabled function is retained in Windows 8. For details about how to create a VHD-enabled Windows 8 consumer preview, see start Windows 8 consumer preview. Note: The official Win8 version is also supported.
Compared with Win7, Win8 supports starting from VHDX, a new virtual disk format that supports more than 2 TB and a maximum capacity of 64 TB. We can create a VHDX Virtual Disk (as shown in) in the disk management of Windows 8 system, and then release the Windows 8 system image to the VHDX disk using imagex. After configuration, we can start the Win8 system.
 
In the Windows 8 era, Windows has supported native startup from USB devices. Windows 8 Enterprise Edition provides the Windows to go function () to help users quickly deploy Windows 8 operating systems on USB devices. Non-Enterprise Edition users can use imagex to implement the function. This new feature makes Windows easier to carry, and even can be packed into pockets. You can use it whenever you have a PC.
 
Now we know that Windows 8 supports starting from VHD and USB. Then, when VHD encounters USB, a new situation occurs-we can load Windows 8 into the VHD Virtual Disk stored in the USB device, such a system also features convenient Backup Recovery and convenient carrying. Especially if KMS activation is used for Windows 8 installed in VHD, its activation status will no longer be affected by changes in the hardware environment, and there is no need to worry about system activation failure due to computer replacement.
Next, we will start by loading Windows 8 into the VHD virtual disk of the USB device: Preparation tool: (download) 1. We still use the VHD_OneKey tool to release wim to VHD. 2. Use BootICE to configure system boot.
Procedure: 1. Use the virtual optical drive to load the Win8 installation disc image, and enable VHD_OneKey to set parameters. Parameter description: the location of the VHD is located on the USB device. Note that the file system must be NTFS and the entire process will not affect other files on the device. The VHD format can be set to Dynamic Scaling. You need to set the VHD size. For dynamic disks, the size is limited to the maximum capacity. The actual size is the size of all files after installation. As the number of files increases, that is, the so-called dynamic meaning. Note: Make sure that the mobile device has sufficient space (greater than the configured VHD size). Otherwise, the device cannot start properly. Select the install. WIM file under sources in the mounted image from the wim location of the mounted VHD.
 
Click OK after setting. Click "yes" in the pop-up Confirmation window ". After VHD is created, it will be automatically mounted. If the system prompts "available only after formatting" in the pop-up dialog box, do not format it. Just cancel it. For example, if the Progress reaches 100% and a prompt is displayed:
 
2. Configure boot. Pay attention to the following points before configuring boot. Make sure that the USB device partition is activated (which can be set in disk management) and the Master Boot Record is set to "Windows NT6.x default boot program" (in fact, devices formatted in nt6.x already have this condition ). You can also refer to the following steps to check: Open the BootICE tool:
 
1. Click "primary Boot Record M" and set the primary Boot Record to "Windows NT6.x default boot program", as shown in figure
 
② Click "partition management G" to activate the USB device partition, as shown in figure
 
After completing the preceding check, start to configure the system boot. If the current Windows 8 system is used, recover the boot folder and bootmgr file from the active partition of the local hard disk [-you can also download-] To the USB device, as shown in figure
 
Open the BootICE -- BCD edit -- BCD file in another location
 
Create a BCD file in the USB device -- boot folder. If the file already exists, overwrite it. Click View/modify, as shown in. Click "add", select "Windows Nt6.x VHD startup Item", and configure BCD according to the displayed content. Enter the device file according to your actual situation. "GUID" is automatically recognized, "menu title" is customized, and other image settings are used.
 
After setting, click "save current system settings ". OK. Now you can restart it ~~ After the restart, the settings start from USB. After the boot, you need to perform system configuration, personalized settings, account settings, and so on. After setting, you can enjoy Windows 8 ~ ========================================================== === Open the App Store after entering the system, A prompt is displayed, because the App Store is disabled in the Windows to go workspace by default.
 
Recovery Method: Win + R open and run gpedit. msc. Expand computer configuration-manage template-Windows Components-App Store, double-click "allow or deny access To App Store applications on Windows To Go workspace", and select "enable ".