IRONKEY™ WORKSPACE W500 EVALUATION GUIDE

Set up information and quick tips for evaluating the IronKey Workspace W500 for Windows To Go.

REVIEWINGTHE IRONKEY WORKSPACE W500

Thank you for your interest in reviewing the IronKey Workspace W500 USB flash drive for Windows To Go. Known as the world’s most secure flash drives, IronKey Workspace devices can help you meet the challenge of protecting today’s highly mobile workforce so you can keep employees protected no matter where their work takes them.

Key features of the IronKey Workspace W500:

  • Ruggedized, resistant to dust and shocks, and waterproof (MIL-STD-810F)
  • XTS-AES 256-bit hardware encryption
  • Up to five times the read/write performance requirements for Windows To Go (400 MB/second read — 316 MB/second write)
  • USB 3.0 SuperSpeed
  • Built-in password protection
  • A Startup Assistant automatically configures host computer to boot from the Workspace device
  • Optional enterprise-class provisioning and PowerShell scripts to quickly mount a large-scale deployment of mobile workspace
  • Optional centralized cloud-based or on-premises management

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GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR IRONKEY WORKSPACE W500

Your 32GB IronKey Workspace W500 device includes a demo version of Windows Enterprise, with a license that is good for 90 days from the time you initialize the OS[1]. The W500 secure, portable workspace is compatible with any PC certified to run Microsoft Windows 7 or higher operating systems and qualified Mac Computers that support Windows 8 or higher.

Below are step-by-step instructions for using the Startup Assistant on a host computer running Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10. Instructions for booting your W500 device on a Mac are outlined on page 4. The Startup Assistant can configure host PCs with 32-bit or 64-bit processor architecture that also meet the following configurations:

  • UEFI firmware and Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 operating system
  • BIOS firmware from Delland Windows operating system
  • BIOS firmware from HPand Windows operating system
  • BIOS firmware from Lenovoand Windows operating system

Other PC configurations are not supported by Startup Assistant at this time and must be manually configured. Refer to instructions on page 3.

  1. Set up the computer to boot from the USB using the IronKey Startup Assistant

The Startup Assistant automatically sets the boot order of compatible host computers so that it will boot first from the USB drive if one is present.

  1. Make sure that the host computer is turned on and the host operating system is up and running.
  2. Insert the W500 into a USB port of the host computer (choose a USB 3.0 port if available).
  3. Open the flash drive using Windows Explorer and launch the IronKey Control Panel application.

-NOTE: Select ‘open folder’ from the autoplay window or use Explorer to open the folder.

  1. Click the Settings button.
  2. From the left sidebar, click Tools and then click the Launch Startup Assistantbutton.
  3. Click Continue.
  4. The Startup Assistant will check the host computer’s registry to verify that the configuration is supported. If the system does not meet the requirements, the Configurebutton will appear dimmed. For unsupported host computers, see “Manually Configuring the Host Computer” on page 3.
  5. Click Configure to start the process.
  6. When the configuration process has completed, click Exit.
  1. Restart the host computer
  2. A preboot screen will appear prompting you for a password.

-The default password is “Welcome1”.

-Prebootis a security feature of the IronKey W500 hardware encrypted drive. It ensures that no one will have access to the Windows corporate image or the data on the drive until they authenticate themselves as the rightful user.

-If the preboot screen does not appear and the restart brings you to your host computer OS, then see “Manually Configuring the Host Computer” on page 3.

  1. Once the password has been verified, the computer will reboot.

-NOTE: On the first start-up on a host computer, the IronKey Workspace W500 will go through a hardware adaptation process that will improve boot speed and device operation on your next use.

  1. At this point, you will be asked to set up your Windows 10 or 8.1/8 instance. Please follow the instructions presented onscreen to complete this step.

-If asked for a product key, please note that it is not needed to use the trial version of the OS.

MANUALLY CONFIGURING THE HOST COMPUTER

If the host computer is not supported by the IronKey Workspace Startup Assistant, you can manually configure your system to boot from USB. For more information, please visit this Microsoft site:Tips to manually configure the BIOS.

PCs running Windows 8 or HIGHER

If the host computer is running Windows 8 or higher, you set the option to boot from a USB device in the Windows To Go Startup Options. Once set, the host computer will automatically boot from the device when you insert it and turn on the host computer.

To change Windows To Go Startup Options:

  1. In the host operating system, press the Windows key + W.
  2. In the Settings Search text box, type “Windows To Go startup options”. The topic will display in the list. Press ENTER to select it.
  3. In the Windows To Go Startup Optionsdialog box, click Yes and then click Save Changes.

PCs certified to run Windows 7 or higher

If the host computer is certified for Windows 7 or higher (and is not running Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10) you must manually configure the BIOS settings so the computer will automatically boot from a USB drive. The following procedure describes the general steps required to change the BIOS settings. BIOS settings differ by computer manufacturer.

To configure a computer to boot from a USB drive:

  1. Shut down the host computer if it is not already turned off.
  2. Insert the W500 device into the USB port.
  3. Turn on the computer and enter the BIOS Utility.

-This is a very fast step. You only have a few seconds to press the correct key to access the BIOS (typically when the manufacturer’s logo appears).

-Many manufacturer’s use “F2” but an on-screen message will indicate the key sequence for the computer you are configuring, for example, “Press the F2 key”, or “Press F1 to enter setup”. Other examples include:

  • Press [key] to enter BIOS setup
  • Enter BIOS by pressing [key]
  • Setup: [key]
  • Press [key] to access BIOS
  1. In the BIOS, navigate to the setting that controls the boot order. The name of the option may vary, for example, “Boot”, “System Configuration” or “Storage”.
  2. In the Boot Priority, move the USB drive to the top of the list so that it is first in the boot order. The name of the USB drive in the list will vary depending on the computer manufacturer.
  3. Save the new BIOS settingsand Exit.
  4. NOTE: If the Bios is locked down and changed can’t be saved, they you have to go through the manual boot process every time.

BOOTING FROM A MAC COMPUTER

With the proper Boot Camp Support Software (from Apple, Inc.), IronKey Workspace devices will boot Windows To Go on most Mac computers that support Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10. Boot Camp software contains drivers that must be installed in Windows To Go to make sure that components, such as Wi-Fi access will work in Windows To Go when booted on a Mac. Mac computers cannot be configured to automatically boot from a USB device. You must always use a one-time boot procedure.

***For a list of support Mac models, please see Appendix of the online IT Administrator Handbook.

To manually boot Windows To Go on a Mac:

  1. Make sure that the Mac computer is turned off and that no other USB storage devices are currently plugged in.
  2. Plug the IronKey Workspace W500 device into the USB port.
  3. Turn on the computer and immediately hold theOptionkey (Alt key on a non-Mac keyboard) to open the Startup Manager.
  4. In the Startup Manager, select the USB Windowsdevice option.

-If there are two USB options, choose the option that says “Windows”. Otherwise, if only one USB option displays, such as “EFI Boot” choose that one.

  1. In the Workspace Preboot environment, if your Mac model requires you to use the alternate reboot method, click Options and click to clear theUser default reboot behavior check box. Click Use alternate reboot methodand then click Back.
  2. In the Workspace Preboot environment, type your device password(default password is Welcome1) in the text box of the Unlocker windows and click Unlock.
  3. Click Reboot Nowand immediately hold the Optionkey again.
  4. When the Startup Manager opens, select the USB Windows device option again. The Windows To Go operating system will now start up.
  5. At this point, you will be asked to set up your Windows 10 or Windows 8.1/8 instance. Please follow the instructions presented onscreen to complete this step.

-If asked for a product key, please note that it is not needed to use the trial version of the OS.

Tip: If you do not press the Optionkey in time and the Mac operating system starts, clickRestarton the Welcome screen (or click the Apple menu and choose Restart) and then immediately hold the Option key to open the Startup Manager.

WORKING WITH THE IRONKEY WORKSPACE W500

With IronKey Workspace W500, you can equip your employees with a full version of Windows 10or Windows 8.1 complete with all their applications, security tools and access policies— all kept on a secure USB 3.0 flash drive. Simply put, it’s a PC on a Stick.

The IronKey Workspace W500 features hardware encryption and a rugged metal enclosure, with enterprise-grade deployment and device management options, including bulk provisioning and IT management of the portable workspaces of mobile and remote users. The result is a fast, durable and secure portable workspace that lets IT meet the needs of a flexible, mobile workforce with Windows To Go, and protect the organization with always-on hardware encryption.

When inserted into the host computer and the IronKey Workspace environment is launched, you’ll find the experience similar to working off any new PC or Mac laptop, desktop computer or compatible tablet. But notice how fast and responsive your computer is when running from the IronKey Workspace W500. The flash technology typicallymakes the host computer even faster as the Windows To Go environment boots off the USB 3.0 drive, and not the host computer’s internal hard drive.

The IronKey Workspace W500 operates like any other computing environment, so cloud-based enterprise applications or services can be accessed via Internet Explorer. For example, you simply sign in as you normally would to update a customer record in a sales automation tool, submit hours using your company’s timecard platform or access a corporate dataset.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS TO GO LICENSE RIGHTS

With Windows 10 and Windows 8/8.1, Windows To Go use rights are under Software Assurance. An employee will be able to use WTG on a company PC licensed with Software Assurance as well as from their home PC.

  • For every seat, you are entitled to Windows To Go
  • No additional licensing fees

For additional information on licensing rights please see our reference guide. To view more online Windows To Go resources from Microsoft at

WINDOWS TO GO CERTIFIED DRIVES

Microsoft certified drives are optimized to meet the necessary requirements for booting and running Windows 10 and Windows 8.1/8 from a USB drive. Certified drives are built for high random read/write speeds, support thousands of random access I/O per second, provide wear-leveling features improving drive longevity and are tuned to ensure they boot and run on hardware certified for use with either Windows 7 or higher. In addition, Microsoft only supports certified Windows To Go drives.

The entire line of IronKey Workspace devices are certified by Microsoft. Imation offers portable workspace options for any organization’s security needs including the hardware encrypted, FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated IronKey Workspace W700/W700SC, the hardware encrypted IronKey Workspace W500and the IronKey Workspace W300and W200using BitLocker password protection capabilities in Windows To Go. To view these other offerings, please visit

THE NEED FOR A SECURE PORTABLE WORKSPACE

This year, the world’s mobile worker population is expected to reach 1.3 billion, representing 37.2 percent of the total workforce; according to a forecast from IT analytics firm IDC.

For years, the standard approach for these workers has been to equip them with notebook PCs, an option that sacrifices cost and convenience for mobility. Few employees prefer to lug their notebooks around with them, and contractors who work with multiple clients frequently must use more than one system. Organizations that deal with sensitive data— customer information, financial data, health records, or intellectual property— have the added worry of reliably safeguarding the contents of the devices used by mobile employees.

IronKey Workspace for Windows To Go addresses these needs by enabling organizations to equip workers with a secure, portable Window corporate image. IronKey Workspace solutions for Windows To Go enable mobile employees to safely work from virtually any compatible host computer while protecting files, applications or networks from viruses, malware or other threats that may be resident on the host PC or the host network.

WINDOWS TO GO: THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS

You can meet a multitude of your mobility mandates with one technology— Windows To Go.

  • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Confidently give employees access to the enterprise network while allowing them to stay productive from a computer of their choice. Employees can safely boot a full version of Windows and all of their applications and IT no longer has to support costly home computers.
  • Contractors: Enterprise IT managers can quickly and easily distribute secure Windows To Go drives to workers on assignment to use on their own computers, remotely revocable at any time. And once their assignment ends, they simply return the device and IT re-provisions it for the next contractor.
  • Secure remote Endpoints: Transform any compatible PC, tablet or Mac into a trusted, malware-free endpoint for your Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) or Virtual Private Network (VPN). For example, IronKey’s secure Windows To Go flash drives seal off your VDI client from host PC threats. And only after users authenticate using XTS-AES 256-bit encryption can they tunnel into your VPN.
  • Travel Light / Telecommute: Staff can take their workspace device home and pop it into their home computer to launch a company deployment of Windows. And as it boots off the USB drive and not the computer’s hard drive, it’s completely isolated from the employer’s host machine.
  • Continuity of Operations: When normal systems are unavailable because of weather conditions, a PC crash, or power outages, full work environments can be distributed with ease to keep employees working.
  • Extend PC Lifetime: Dust off those old laptop computers and use Windows To Go to dramatically extend the refresh cycle. Not only will IT realize significant cost savings, but the flash technology is typically faster than running the OS off the internal hard drive of these older systems.
  • Selective Deployment of Windows 10 OR 8.1: Whether you’re using Windows XP or Windows 7, Windows To Go is a cost-effective way to test and deploy the latest Microsoft operating system— at a fraction of the cost of a traditional OS upgrade.

IronKey Workspace for Windows To Go, check out all the possibilities at

SAVE UP TO 95% COMPARED TO THE COSTS OF LAPTOPS

You can securely enable mobile workers at a fraction of the cost of traditional approaches such as laptops or VDI. Osterman Research has developed a cost model that compares the laptop, VDI and IronKey Workspace drives and determined that the PC on a Stick approach offers the lowest traditional cost of ownership. Moreover, the PC on a Stick approach offers greater security against data loss, security breaches, and other threats while offering greater flexibility.

See how the costs compare to your needs through our online ROI calculator. Simply enter your values such as the number of employees you are looking to outfit, cost currently paying for laptops and more or accept the default values to see how the savings stack up in favor of Windows To Go.

To access the ROI Calculator, please visit

ABOUT IRONKEY

IronKey solutions meet the challenge of protecting today’s mobile workforce, featuring secure USB solutions for data transport and mobile workspaces. The IronKey line includes the world’s most secure hardware encrypted USB drives, PC on a Stick™ workspaces for Windows To Go, and cloud-based or on premise centralized device management solutions. IronKey is the mobile security portfolio of Imation Corp. For more information, visit

IRONKEY’S WINDOWS TO GO PORTFOLIO

For organizations in need of FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification or CAC/PIV smart card login support or our BitLocker software encrypted devices, please visit our website to learn about IronKey Workspace W700 and W700SC, the W300 and the affordable W200.