Is it worth installing Windows 10 on USB 3.0/3.1 Flash Drive?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by RocketSledder77, Jun 27, 2016.

  1. Bat.1

    Bat.1 MDL Expert

    Oct 18, 2014
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    I also "pack" a pocket size USB powered only 1TB Seagate Expansion around a lot. Had so many read/writes it bogs down at times though :( Probably going to replace the mechanical drive with a SSD soon.
     
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  2. GOD666

    GOD666 MDL Expert

    Aug 1, 2015
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    I'm still waiting for 1TB SSD to be at a competitive price ($100 or less). :(
     
  3. Bat.1

    Bat.1 MDL Expert

    Oct 18, 2014
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    At that price I'd replace the 180TB of Mechanical drives I own :D Man am I a Hoarder :eek:
     
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  4. GOD666

    GOD666 MDL Expert

    Aug 1, 2015
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    I'm sort of odd in that I like the best but at the lowest price. Which in tech is usually the holy grail (wishful thinking). Still, I got my enterprise grade 2TB HDD for only $50.
     
  5. MS_User

    MS_User MDL Guru

    Nov 30, 2014
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    u your not going to see that for at least another year and bit more....1 tb still runs u for around $350
     
  6. RocketSledder77

    RocketSledder77 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 23, 2012
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    I think this topic has gotten away. So let me ask the question again. If I get a 16GB USB 3.0 flash drive and create a 4GB and a 12GB partition. Will apps like Rufus respect the partition and only format the 4GB side and leave everything stored on the 12GB side alone?
     
  7. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Expert

    Feb 11, 2009
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    Technically you won't be able to make multiple partitions with a standard USB Key. You would need a "Windows to Go" ready USB Key which is configured as a Fixed Disk...
     
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  8. B Zhan

    B Zhan MDL Novice

    Sep 26, 2013
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    You can use a third-party partitioning tool to make multiple partitions with a standard USB Key, but Windows will recognize only the first partition. This means that even if you create a multi-partitioned usb flash drive, Windows will not mount the other volumes or assign drive letters to them, in fact that Windows completely unable to access these partitions.

    Windows To Go Certified Drive is good, but a bit pricey.
     
  9. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Expert

    Feb 11, 2009
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    Years ago I'd found a .RU site that had a collection/database of firmware & update tools for different USB Keys. Toggling 1 bit made the key seen as fixed disk.
    Can't find that site now...
     
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  10. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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  11. 100

    100 MDL Expert

    May 17, 2011
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    I tend to run those in a VM with passed-through USB.
    Given the facts that this sort of software generally needs to run with administrative privileges and that you're not able to verify authenticity (since they're not distributed publicly by manufacturers) you should watch out. Speaking from first-hand experience here.
     
  12. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    Thanks. Now please tell me this sort of malware sits at Windows level, not firmware level (USB drive firmware) :eek:
     
  13. Bat.1

    Bat.1 MDL Expert

    Oct 18, 2014
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    While it's "possible" It's definitely not worth the trouble. A better idea is to make a folder with the other programs and just move it to Your desktop and then moving it back. As posted, Windows will only see one partition at a time on a removable drive, so You'd have to use a program like BOOICE to Repeatedly deactivate one partition and activate the other. Gets to be a Pain really fast. :(
     
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  14. DavidinCT

    DavidinCT MDL Addicted

    May 9, 2015
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    Just a question.... If you use WIn2go or Win2USB (what ever Windows 10 built in is called)... with Windows 10.... Assuming I have a fairly fast USB 3.0 drive. How well does it run ? If I setup a OS with applications like office and some 3rd party apps, Do they all get dumpped to the USB drive for Win2go ? Does it re-sync when you change the desktop OS and apps or edit a file ?

    Does the feature come with WIndows 10 Pro, or is just the Enterprise version ?

    Booting, I assume you just boot off the drive to run it. Does it require 2-3 reboots before it runs, or does it just boot and run on ANY PC (assuming USB 3.0 drive and fairly modern hardware) ? Will it run on systems with USB 2.0 ? How about a VMware player ?

    I normally keep a copy of VMware player with a VM on Windows 7 on a Very fast USB 3.0 256gb drive....I get to a PC, I do a quick install of Vmware player, then load my VM. Would love a quicker way to provide the same type of results. I use 32bit as it seems to run a little better with less overhead/space used on the USB drive.