Portable Windows 8.1 solution – USB 3.0 64GB flash storage
Portable Windows 8.1 solution – USB 3.0 64GB flash storage
I recently purchased a PNY 64GB USB 3.0 flash storage device from this retailer. While browsing, I explored various applications beyond simple data storage.
1. Portable Windows – compatible with MS DreamSpark for educational use
2. Network share through Samba – now I’m utilizing a 500GB HDD
3. Offsite backups – a practical solution for data safety
4. ??? – I opted for portable Windows, leveraging the WindowsToGo feature I’ve heard about.
I can run Windows 8.1 Enterprise on my school-provided device via DreamSpark. The reason? Frequent movement between PCs means managing files across devices is tedious. Instead of juggling locations, I can boot into a functional Windows 8.1 environment from my WTG drive, even at school.
If I’m feeling adventurous, I could also set up Ubuntu and use GRUB to switch between operating systems on the same drive (32GB Windows, 32GB Ubuntu). What are your thoughts?
You'll need a reasonably quick USB connection to complete the process. A budget USB 3.0 might take around ten minutes to start up and another to react. I've confirmed using an external hard drive or a Kingston Datatraveler Ultimate G3 as a basic option.