The concept of using a live USB to run an operating system is quite familiar to users of Linux distributions. For many, this option allows one to boot directly into the operating system without installation, providing a quick environment to test features or troubleshoot without altering the primary system. When it comes to Windows 11, however, the story is a bit different. With limited functional support for a live environment, this endeavor takes some creativity and patience. In this article, we delve into the experience of running Windows 11 off a live USB drive, exploring the setup process, performance, and the overall experience.
Creating a live USB drive was a piece of cake...
Using Rufus for Setup
For users wanting to experiment with running Windows 11 from a USB, the tool of choice is Rufus, a robust application designed for creating bootable USB drives. Traditionally used for writing ISO images to USB sticks, Rufus offers a feature enabling the creation of a live version of Windows 11. To get started, the process involves:- Downloading the latest Windows 11 ISO file.
- Launching Rufus and selecting the ISO.
- Choosing the "Windows To Go" option in Rufus settings to create a portable version of the OS.
- Selecting the destination USB drive. While creating a bootable USB from an ISO usually takes only a few minutes, this time around, the progress was unexpectedly slow—taking over 15 minutes to complete the live USB setup. Once the setup finished, booting from the USB and entering the Windows Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) took an additional half hour. This patience-testing pattern would become a recurring theme throughout the experiment.
Initial Impressions
Upon successfully entering the Windows 11 desktop, users are quick to note how functional the environment is. Despite the sluggish start, the user interface generally performed well considering it was running from a USB drive. Tasks like opening multiple browser tabs in Microsoft Edge were smooth, seemingly defying expectations for a system relying on the relatively slow read speeds of a USB stick. However, this initial responsiveness quickly diminished when any data writing was involved. Installing applications like Chrome took an inordinately long time, and Windows Updates were entirely non-functional.The overall UI was moderately responsive
Applications and Usability
Testing with various applications revealed mixed results. Although software installations were painstakingly slow, once operational, programs like GIMP and Blender functioned reasonably well. Minor performance lag remained an issue during application launches but did not severely hamper usability. Nevertheless, the true challenge emerged with Windows Updates that failed to work correctly. This lack rendered the setup unable to take advantage of necessary security and feature updates, with users facing obstacles to maintaining a current Windows environment. With sufficient free capacity (about 50 GB), the author attempted to take the performance a step further by introducing gaming into the mix.Light 2D games work well on a live Windows 11 USB
Gaming Performance Considerations
Running games represented a bold leap in this endeavor. After installing Steam and a few lighter 2D games like Terraria, the results were promising initially. However, without proper GPU drivers, games typically exhibited significant lag. Here, a pivotal moment arose: installing the drivers for the Intel Arc A750 dramatically improved gameplay performance, showcasing the potential for gaming on a live USB setup. Additional tests demonstrated that titles such as Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights also worked well, albeit graphical performance varied significantly depending on the compatibility of drivers to the system's hardware. Notably, some games, such as Disco Elysium, encountered problematic crashes, revealing that configurations could lead to varying levels of success depending on a user's hardware capabilities.Challenges and Successes
Resilience Through Challenges
Perhaps the largest issue faced was a power interruption during the experiment, leading to long restart times and an extensive wait before re-accessing the desktop. Nonetheless, the author was able to disable Windows Updates temporarily, significantly improving boot times when switching systems and allowing better functionality. Testing the USB on a different PC highlighted yet another complexity: the question of driver compatibility across different systems. Although it worked on a more powerful Xeon system, users would need to install the appropriate graphics drivers for consistent performance across diverse hardware.Should you run Windows 11 off a live USB?
For the average Windows user, the conclusion appears clear: the experience of running Windows 11 from a live USB is fraught with compromises. The significant boot times, slow installation processes, and lack of reliable updates create a less-than-ideal environment for everyday use. However, the portability of a live USB can still be appealing in specific contexts, particularly for conducting sensitive tasks or troubleshooting systems when primary storage is inaccessible. The live USB allows users to carry a portable version of Windows with them, which can be advantageous in certain professional or emergency situations. In closing, while the undertaking of running Windows 11 from a live USB can be intriguing, it is certainly not tailored for users seeking a seamless and responsive computing experience. Those drawn to such technical experiments are encouraged to proceed with caution, as patience and preparation are essential in overcoming the challenges documented throughout this journey. In summary, here is a recap of the key takeaways: - Creation: Using Rufus simplifies creating a live Windows 11 USB with persistent storage.
- Performance: While the interface remains functional, expect frustratingly slow performance when writing to the USB drive.
- Compatibility: Be prepared for driver compatibility issues, particularly when switching hardware.
Portability Benefits: A live USB offers a mobile version of Windows 11 but may not serve as a reliable long-term solution for average users. Experimenting with a live USB can provide valuable insights but requires a significant investment in patience for worthwhile returns.
For more detailed insights, you can check out the original article at XDA Developers.