How to Boot Windows from a USB Drive [Complete Guide]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Cici 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

Windows operating systems have a significant presence in the computing world, offering a versatile platform to meet various computing needs. Traditionally, Windows is primarily installed on internal hard drives. However, with advancements in technology, other storage solutions have emerged.

One solution is to boot Windows from an SD card – a small, portable storage medium typically used in cameras, smartphones, and other devices. Booting Windows from an SD card has several advantages, including greater flexibility, portability, and the ability to carry your personalized Windows environment with you.

The "/Tools" link will give you the steps to successfully boot Windows from an SD card.

Of course, more can and should be done.

How to Boot Windows from a USB Drive

This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparing your system to installing Windows on the SD card. Here's the detailed process for booting Windows from an SD card:

Guide 1: Preparing to Boot Windows from an SD Card

Before you can begin booting Windows from an SD card, there's a series of important preparatory steps to take. These ensure that you have the necessary tools and resources to successfully carry out the installation process. Let's delve into each requirement in detail:

**1️⃣ Prepare and format the SD card**

First, you'll need a microSD card with enough capacity.

For optimal performance, it is recommended to use an SD card with a capacity of at least 8GB to accommodate the Windows installation files. Furthermore, the SD card must be formatted with the NTFS file system to ensure seamless compatibility with the Windows operating system.

2️⃣ Prepare a bootable SD card

To boot a Windows computer from an SD card, you first need to make the SD card bootable. There are typically two ways to accomplish this:

• Download a Windows ISO image file that contains the installation files for the Windows operating system. You can get a Windows ISO from the official Microsoft website or another reputable source.
• Alternatively, you could clone your computer's operating system and apps onto the SD card.

3️⃣ Download the Windows cloning tool: Partition Master

You'll need a reliable cloning tool to migrate the Windows operating system to an SD card. One highly recommended option is the Partition Master tool.

Here are a few reasons why we recommend using the Partition Master tool:

• Safe and Reliable: Partition Master provides secure download links and avoids excessive advertising.
• Better Compatibility: Known for its compatibility with various storage media, including SD cards, it ensures a smooth cloning process.
• Fewer Limitations: Partition Master offers fewer restrictions compared to other cloning tools, giving you more control over the entire process.
• All-in-One Features: With its extensive additional features and functions, this software is a comprehensive tool for effectively managing your devices.

Guide 2: Creating a Bootable SD Card

After getting everything set up, creating a bootable SD card is the next crucial step. The sections below detail how to install Windows on an SD card and how to boot from the SD card.

This can be done using the Clone OS feature of tools Partition Master, which allows you to clone your existing Windows system to an SD card. The Clone OS function lets you copy your Windows system to the SD card, including all files, settings, and applications.

This ensures that your portable Windows environment has the same capabilities as the original system, providing a seamless experience. With it, you can create a standalone and fully functional Windows setup on an SD card, which can be booted on any compatible device at any time.

Follow these steps to begin the process of installing Windows on an SD card:

Step 1: Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, go to the "Disk Clone" tab, choose "Clone System Disk" and then click "Next".

Select the system disk to clone:

Step 2. Select the new drive to which you want to clone the operating system, then click Next.

Select the target disk to clone to

Click “Yes” to confirm that you want to proceed with cloning your operating system disk.

Confirm the cloning of the system to the new disk

Step 3: Review the disk layout, and then click Start to begin the OS cloning process.

Step 4: When the process is finished, you'll see a confirmation message asking if you want to boot from the clone target disk.

• Restart Now: Restart your computer and set it to boot the operating system from the new disk.
• Finish: You want to make the change later.

This is also how you'd install Windows 10 from a USB drive.

Guide 3: Booting an Operating System from an SD Card

After successfully creating a bootable SD card, the next step is to boot an operating system (OS) from the small disk. This allows you to start and run your computer using the Windows installation on the SD card, providing a portable and standalone Windows environment.

To ensure that the system boots from the SD card, you'll need to change the boot order in your computer's BIOS settings to make the SD card the first boot device. Here are the steps for booting Windows from the SD card:

Step 1: Insert the bootable SD card into your computer and restart. As it's restarting, use the BIOS shortcut key to enter the BIOS settings. The key can vary depending on the make and model of your computer; it might be F2, F8, Esc, F10, or something else.

Step 2: Once inside the BIOS menu, select “Enter Setup,” then navigate to the next window's “Change Boot Order” option. Use the arrow keys to set the SD card as the top priority for booting. Save your BIOS settings and reboot your system to boot from the SD card.

Select the SD card to boot from

Note: If you want to boot another laptop from USB like boot Lenovo laptop from USB or boot Asus laptop from USB, changing boot order is essential.

Why would we want to boot Windows from an SD card?

After learning how to create a bootable SD card and how to boot from it, you might be wondering: what are the advantages of booting from an SD card? Here are some benefits and use cases for booting from an SD card:

Portability and mobility

Bootable SD cards offer the convenience of portability and mobility. You can carry your operating system, personalizations, and apps with you. Just insert the SD card into a compatible device, boot from it, and you have access to your familiar Windows environment anywhere, anytime.

Triage and recovery

A bootable SD card can be incredibly useful for troubleshooting or recovering a computer. If your primary operating system is having issues or becomes inaccessible, having a bootable SD card allows you to quickly boot into an alternative OS for diagnostic, repair tasks, or retrieving important files.

Compatibility with multiple devices

A bootable SD card increases compatibility between various devices. Since the device supports booting from external media, the same SD card can be used to boot your Windows system on different computers or laptops. This flexibility is particularly advantageous when working across different machines or in temporary environments.

Testing the new operating system.

It's a great way to test a new operating system without affecting your main setup. By booting from the SD card, you can try out various versions of Windows, and even experiment with alternative operating systems like a Linux distribution. This makes it easy to try out and explore different software environments.

The bottom line?

In short, booting Windows from an SD card unlocks opportunities for portability, security, troubleshooting, and compatibility. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the process of booting Windows from an SD card, which involves cloning the Windows operating system to the SD card and successfully starting the OS from it.

Throughout the article, we stressed the importance of choosing the right software to help you with these tasks. AOMEI Partition Assistant stands out as a reliable and feature-rich solution. It also offers extra features like OS cloning, surface test, 4K alignment, MBR rebuild, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Boot Windows from an SD Card

If you still have questions about booting Windows from an SD card, we've compiled a list of FAQs to address some common concerns. Keep reading, and you'll find the answers you're looking for, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

1. **Can I install the system on an SD card?**

Yes, it is possible to install an operating system on an SD card. First, you'll need to create a bootable SD card and configure your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. After that, you can use the SD card as the primary medium for running the operating system.

**How to Use an SD Card as RAM in Windows?** In Windows, you cannot directly use an SD card as RAM, but you can indirectly achieve a similar effect by creating a page file (Page File). A page file is a method Windows uses to extend physical memory, allocating space on the hard drive when more memory is needed. Here's how to set it up: 1. Insert your SD card into your computer's SD card slot. 2. Ensure the SD card is formatted with the FAT32 or NTFS file system and is readable by Windows. 3. Press `Win + X` keys and then select "System." 4. In the left menu, click "Advanced system settings." 5. In the "System Properties" window, go to the "Advanced" tab, and then click the "Settings" button under the "Performance" section. 6. In the "Performance Options" window, go to the "Advanced" tab, and then click the "Change" button under "Virtual Memory." 7. Deselect the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" checkbox. 8. Select the disk where your SD card is located, which will typically be displayed as "Local Disk (D:), (E:), etc.," and choose "Custom size." 9. Enter "Initial size" and "Maximum size." It's recommended to set these values to 1-2 times the actual available space on your SD card. For example, if you have 8GB of free space, you might set it to 4096 MB (4GB) to 8192 MB (8GB). 10. Click "Set," then "OK" to apply the changes. 11. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Please note that this method is not equivalent to using the SD card as actual RAM, as page file access is significantly slower than real RAM. This could negatively impact system performance. Proceed with caution and ensure the SD card is of good quality to avoid data loss or system instability.

Here are the steps to use an SD card as RAM in a Windows computer:

Step 1: Insert the SD card into your computer's SD card slot. Format the card using the FAT32 file system. Find your SD card in Explorer, right-click on it, and select Properties.

Step 2: Switch to the “ReadyBoost” tab, and then select “Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost.” Finally, click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.

How do I create a bootable Windows SD card?

First, you need to format the SD card to create a bootable Windows SD card. Then, obtain the Windows ISO file. Lastly, you'll need an ISO burning tool to transfer the ISO file onto the SD card. For detailed steps on how to accomplish this task using tools like Partition Master, refer to relevant tutorials.