A method comprising: coupling a portable peripheral memory storage device with a workstation, wherein the portable peripheral memory storage device comprises a universal serial bus, USB, memory key coupled to the workstation via a USB port; in a first mode of operation, mounting a first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device on the workstation for operation therewith in the first mode of operation as a storage medium; and in a second other mode of operation using data within the portable peripheral memory storage device to support a personal desktop on the workstation: detecting, by the workstation and at boot-up of the workstation, the portable peripheral memory device; causing the workstation to execute a personal desktop application based on memory within a second partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device; and mounting, by the personal desktop application, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device as a storage device; wherein in the first mode of operation, a first user is able to store and retrieve files within the first partition, the first user, however, is barred from accessing any data within the personal desktop; wherein in the second mode of operation, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device is accessible via the personal desktop as a storage medium mounted thereto; and wherein in the second mode of operation, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device is read only. coupling a portable peripheral memory storage device with a workstation, wherein the portable peripheral memory storage device comprises a universal serial bus, USB, memory key coupled to the workstation via a USB port; in a first mode of operation, mounting a first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device on the workstation for operation therewith in the first mode of operation as a storage medium; and in a second other mode of operation using data within the portable peripheral memory storage device to support a personal desktop on the workstation: detecting, by the workstation and at boot-up of the workstation, the portable peripheral memory device; causing the workstation to execute a personal desktop application based on memory within a second partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device; and mounting, by the personal desktop application, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device as a storage device; wherein in the first mode of operation, a first user is able to store and retrieve files within the first partition, the first user, however, is barred from accessing any data within the personal desktop; wherein in the second mode of operation, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device is accessible via the personal desktop as a storage medium mounted thereto; and wherein in the second mode of operation, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device is read only. detecting, by the workstation and at boot-up of the workstation, the portable peripheral memory device; causing the workstation to execute a personal desktop application based on memory within a second partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device; and mounting, by the personal desktop application, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device as a storage device; wherein in the first mode of operation, a first user is able to store and retrieve files within the first partition, the first user, however, is barred from accessing any data within the personal desktop; wherein in the second mode of operation, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device is accessible via the personal desktop as a storage medium mounted thereto; and wherein in the second mode of operation, the first partition of the portable peripheral memory storage device is read only.