This article shows how to format and securely erase a drive for a Windows To Go USB. It also covers ways to delete data safely and Wintogo USB creation.
A USB flash drive is a small, portable device used to store files like documents, pictures, or music. It is popular because it is cheap, easy to carry, and simple to use. Sometimes, you need to delete everything on it, especially when preparing it for a Windows To Go USB.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Free Up Space | When the USB drive is running out of space, deleting old or unnecessary files creates room for new data. |
| Remove Unwanted Files | Old or unused files can clutter the drive. Wiping everything cleans it quickly. |
| Protect Privacy | If the drive contains personal files, deleting them prevents others from accessing them. Secure erasing ensures data cannot be recovered. |
| Fix Errors | A drive may show errors or not work properly. Wiping and reformatting often solves these problems. |
Deleting everything helps clear space, organize the drive, protect personal data, and fix errors. It also prepares the USB for creating a Windows To Go setup. The next section explains how to do this safely and completely.
Sometimes, a USB drive is write-protected, raw, or encounter errors, which can prevent you from formatting it using File Explorer or Disk Management. In most cases, common methods can remove these errors, but if you still cannot format the drive, using a reliable tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant is recommended.
It can format your USB drive to FAT32, NTFS, exFAT, Ext2, or Ext4, making it compatible with different operating systems and devices. Below is a step-by-step guide to formatting your USB drive using this tool.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Step 2. In the main interface, find out the USB drive, right-click the partition on it and choose "Format Partition".
Step 3. Set the file system of the partition and click "OK".
Step 4. Check the pending operation and click "Apply" to execute it.
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a professional tool that can create a Windows To Go USB. The environment it creates works just like the official Microsoft version.
You can make a WinToGo USB on any Windows system, including Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11, using an installation disc, ISO file, or ESD file. Since Windows 11 does not support Windows To Go natively, creating a portable Windows 11 USB requires a third-party tool.
The powerful software solves this with its Windows To Go Creator. It lets you make a bootable USB that can run your Windows system on different computers, giving you flexibility and access to your files anywhere.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Before we start:
Step 1. Insert the USB in and wait for your computer to detect it. If it failed, you can check solutions here.
Step 2. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant. On the top toolbar, click "Tools" > "Windows To Go Creator".
Step 3. Choose “Create Windows To Go” for personal computer and click “Next”.
Step 4. Choose the suitable option "Create Windows To Go with system disc/ISO" or “Create Windows To Go with the current system”. If Windows 11 ISO file isn’t detected automatically, click the folder icon to select manually. Then, click “Next”.
Step 5. Select a USB drive as target and click “Proceed”
Step 6. You’ll receive the message that all data on this USB drive will be erased. Click “Yes” to continue.
After that, you can disconnect the USB, and try to boot it on another PC.
Note: If you choose “Create Windows To Go with the current system”, there will be 2 more steps after steps 3 and 4.
1. After you choose the creating way, you’ll see current system info. Then you need to select a USB, the program will restart into the Windows PE environment to create Windows To Go. Wait until the progress reaches 100%.
If you don’t know how to boot Windows from your Windows To Go USB, here we have a step-by-step tutorial.
Step 1. Connect the Windows To Go USB drive to your device. Boot the computer and press a certain key to enter BIOS/UEFI.
Step 2. Select USB Device and hit the “Enter” key to boot from the Windows 11 bootable USB.
Deleting all data on a USB drive is an important step when preparing it for Windows To Go. It clears space, removes unwanted files, protects your privacy, and fixes errors. Using a tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant makes formatting and creating a Windows To Go USB simple and reliable, ensuring your portable Windows system works smoothly on different computers.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
