Windows 8.1: "Windows-To-Go" not working ?

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I got my Sony 16GB Micro Vault(USB 3) to boot/work in a USB 2 Laptop(legacy mode).

I had to use VirtualBox, cfadisk driver and cloning software(Macrium).

The Sony drive was split into two partitions(14GB/706MB unallocated)

10 Times the trouble that another Sony 16GB Micro Vault(USB 2) caused me last year with Win TO GO 8.0

 

I used a cheap USB disk without "Windows 8 certified" And install windows 8.1 on it.
It stays in the boot screen,but it can boot if the windows 8.1 installed in a VHD file.

 

1) I got a WD MyPassport Enterprise (500GB) external (certified for W2G) Hdd
2) In Win8 Enterprise I ran the W2G app in the control panel & installed Win8.1 Enterprise x64 W2G on the above hdd & activated it (180 day)
3) Partitioned the (1) hdd for storage using W8.1 Disk mgmt.
4) Installed the Hyper-V feature on W8.1 W2G
5) Installed W8 Pro & activated it, then installed around 30 WU updates.
6) In Win8.1 ‘Store’ I clicked the upgrade to 8.1 button & let it run on my Hyper-V W8 Pro installation, as I wanted to see if it worked in Hyper-V
7) everything works 

 

I was able to create a windows 8.1 windows to go flash drive on a certified windows to go Kingston data Traveler Workspace. I tried using windows 8.1 Enterprise on a virtual machine with no success. I copied the whole windows directory from the virtual machine (Windows 8.1 Enterprise) copied it to my windows 8.1 pro hard drive created a Temp Folder in c:\drive and ran the file in the c:\temp\windows\system32\pwcreator.exe it created the windows to go from Windows 8.1Pro.

Now I also tried creating a Windows 8.1 Windows to go on a non certified 3.0 flash drive. It will boot but it will stay on the boot screen (the window logo wit the rotating dots.)
I think This is something MS added to win 8.1 to keep from making non certified Windows to go Flash Drives.
Maybe a deal they worked up with the manufacturers of the flash drives..

Any help with this issue in creating a non certified windows 8.1 to go flash drive would be greatly appreciated...

These are the files needed to create a certified Windows To Go Flashdrive on any ver of windows 8.1 x64
C:\Windows\System32\pwcreator.exe
files.com/shared/52c4e09f3e162/WindowsToGo.rar]WindowsToGo.rar

 

I have built a non certified (external WD 500gb 3.0 harddrive) W8.1x86 following rmprepusb.com
all works fine

 

can you please Explain in detail Please. I have downloaded RMPrep. but not familiar with the software..

 

I just created a USB drive with that software tonight.
First it takes about an hour + to format the USB, then another hour to install Win 8 on the USB.
Booting for the first time acts as if the system is hung, but I let it go for maybe 10-15 minutes and it started the usual.
While loading devices, well, that could take a couple hours or so.

Once the interface is loaded and goes through the initial set-up it reboots and the same, all the apps etc, another half hour or so. (oh do the F8 thing each time to select to boot from USB)
Once all the config stuff is done and the desk top is loaded, it runs ok, slow, but tolerable.
Installed Office and that wasn't too bad, but patience is required for this entire process to complete.
So it works and the software is free.

I installed Win 8, b/c initially when I was doing it with 8.1, I thought there was an issue to use 8.1 b/c the software indicates Windows to go 8. I just didn't wait long enough maybe during the first start up. I'll redo it again tomorrow with 8.1, should work.

My machine is USB 2.0 and the USB drive is Corsair "Flash Voyager"

 

That's for sure. I was younger before the process started.

 

Thanks Tito.
I did, AOMEI does not work with windows 8.1 only with win 8. I even contacted tech support they couldn't help..Thanks

I found a solution NiFu posted in an earlier. works and tested windows to go 8.1 non certified flash drive.
double -u. double -u.double -u.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/win8vhdonusb

 

Greetings
Appreciate everybody's support. I did summarized the entire process to create Windows 2 GO USB Vhd or Vhdx drive & I used it on a Kingston USB3 & it worked like a charm. I need to mention I failed to create a normal Windows 2 GO on the same flash drive

[h=1]Creating Windows 2 Go on a USB Flash as vhd or vhdx[/h]1- Create a vhd or vhdx file on your HD then attach it “You can use Windows Disk utilities or the following commands”.
From an elevated command prompt, issue these commands
Diskpart
create vdisk file=C:\Temp\Win2go.vhd maximum=20480 type=fixed
select vdisk file=C:\Temp\Win2go.vhd
attach vdisk
exit
2- Follow Same Windows 2 Go Procedure to install Windows 8.x or Windows Server 2012
3 is the vhd or vhdx created at 1
G: is the Windows Installation DVD
Index:1 is the wim image index number. In Server Datacenter with GUI index=4
From an elevated command prompt, issue these commands
Diskpart
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 3
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK OVERRIDE
ASSIGN LETTER=O
ACTIVE
attribute volume set NODEFAULTDRIVELETTER
EXIT
dism /apply-image /imagefile:G:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /applydir:O:\
O:\windows\system32\bcdboot O:\windows /f ALL /s O:


3- Detach/dismount the vhd file
4- Format a USB Drive as NTFS assuming it as Drive E:
5- To copy bootmgr bootloader to USB Drive
bootsect /nt60 E:
6- Now copy the vhd or vhdx file created in step 1 to USB Drive E:\
7- Mount the copied vhd file from the USB Drive E: & assuming it will be mounted as Derive F:\
8- From elevated command prompt issue this command to create the boot menu
bcdboot F:\Windows /s E: /f ALL /v
Repeat steps 1 to 8 create more vhd or vhdx on the same USB to create a USB that has different Windows

Thanks a lot

 

Very good description

 

How do that ? Please explain !?