Run Windows 8 Developer Preview From USB

Running Windows 8 Directly from a USB Drive

Executing Windows 8 from a USB drive differs significantly from a standard installation to a USB drive. Instead of installing the operating system onto the portable drive, the system is launched directly from it.

This functionality is provided by a feature in Windows 8 known as Windows To Go. However, users familiar with the Windows 8 Developer Preview will note that the necessary files were absent in this particular release.

Required Components

The process, utilizing a tool called the Portable Workspace creator, leverages established Windows Deployment technologies, particularly the imagex.exe utility for managing .WIM files.

To proceed, the following items are essential:

A functioning Windows 8 computer (a Virtual Machine is also suitable).
A USB 3.0 drive with a minimum capacity of 16GB. While a USB 2.0 drive can be used, performance may be noticeably slower.
A Windows 8 ISO file or installation DVD.
A stable internet connection to download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).

Ensure you have gathered these resources and are prepared to begin. Your Windows 8 PC should be booted, and the USB drive connected.

With everything in place, the configuration process can commence. A warm beverage can also be helpful during this procedure.

Obtaining and Configuring WAIK

A copy of the imagex.exe utility is required for the process. Fortunately, this file is included within the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), which is available for download directly from the Microsoft website.

Please be aware that the download file size is approximately 1.7GB. Users with slower internet connections should anticipate a potentially lengthy download time.

Following the download's completion, the WAIK must be installed on your Windows 8 computer. The installation process is straightforward, requiring only successive "Next" and "Finish" selections without complex configuration.

Locating imagex.exe – 32-Bit Systems

If you are operating a 32-Bit version of the Developer Preview, navigate to the following directory: C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86. Then, copy imagex.exe and place it in the root directory of your C:\ drive.

Locating imagex.exe – 64-Bit Systems

For those running a 64-Bit installation, the path differs. Access the directory C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\amd64. From there, copy imagex.exe to the root of the C:\ drive.

Creating a Bootable USB Drive

The initial step involves either inserting the Windows 8 DVD or mounting the Windows 8 ISO file. To mount an ISO, simply right-click the file and select the "Mount" option. Next, navigate to the Windows 8 Start screen and type "CMD".

Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch a Command Prompt window with administrator privileges. This elevated access is necessary for the subsequent disk partitioning and image application processes.

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Within the Command Prompt, input the following commands sequentially:

Diskpart
List Disk

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Proceed by executing these commands in the specified order:

Select Disk 2 (Ensure you replace "Disk 2" with the correct number corresponding to your USB drive, as identified in the previous step)
Clean
Create Partition Primary
Select Partition 1
Active
Format FS=NTFS Quick
Assign
Exit

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Type "Exit" to conclude the Diskpart utility, but maintain the Command Prompt window’s open status.

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Now, enter the following command into the Command Prompt:

C:\imagex.exe /apply D:\sources\install.wim 1 H:\

Important: Substitute "D:\" with the drive letter representing your Windows 8 DVD or mounted ISO, and "H:\" with the drive letter assigned to your USB drive.

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Allow time for Windows to expand the WIM file onto your USB drive. The process duration will vary. Upon completion, a success message will appear, indicating the image has been applied successfully.

The final step involves making the USB drive bootable. Execute this command to achieve this:

bcdboot.exe H:\windows /s H: /f ALL

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With these steps completed, you now possess a fully functional Windows 8 Developer Preview installation on a USB drive. The initial boot from the USB will trigger the installation of necessary drivers for the target PC.

It’s worth noting that while the future Portable Workspace creator will enable cloning of an entire Windows machine, this method provides a clean installation of Windows 8 from USB. Programs and customizations will not be transferred, as we are applying the standard Windows 8 Developer Preview WIM image.

Credit for this clarification goes to Windows8Italia.