How to create a bootable USB drive with multiple operating systems and tools in one using Ventoy

Posted on September 2, 2024

Ventoy is a free and open-source tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive with multiple operating systems and tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Ventoy:

Requirements:

  • A USB drive with at least 1GB of free space
  • Ventoy software (download from the official website)
  • ISO files of the operating systems or tools you want to add

Step 1: Download and Install Ventoy

  1. Go to the Ventoy website (https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html) and download the software for your operating system (Windows or Linux).
  2. Extract the downloaded zip file to a folder on your computer.
  3. Run the Ventoy2Disk.exe file (on Windows) or ventoy.sh file (on Linux) to install Ventoy.

Step 2: Prepare Your USB Drive

  1. Insert your USB drive into your computer.
  2. Make sure the USB drive is empty or backed up, as Ventoy will erase all data on the drive.

Step 3: Create a Ventoy USB Drive

  1. Run the Ventoy software and select the USB drive you want to use.
  2. Click the “Install” button to create a Ventoy USB drive.
  3. Wait for the installation process to complete.

Step 4: Add ISO Files

  1. Download the ISO files of the operating systems or tools you want to add.
  2. Copy the ISO files to the ventoy folder on your USB drive.
  3. Ventoy will automatically detect the ISO files and add them to the boot menu.

Step 5: Boot from the Ventoy USB Drive

  1. Insert the Ventoy USB drive into the computer you want to boot from.
  2. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del).
  3. Set the USB drive as the first boot device.
  4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings.
  5. The Ventoy boot menu will appear, allowing you to select the operating system or tool you want to boot.

That’s it! You can now use your Ventoy USB drive to boot multiple operating systems and tools on different computers.

Tips and Variations:

  • You can add multiple ISO files to the ventoy folder, and Ventoy will create a boot menu with all the options.
  • You can also add persistence to your USB drive, allowing you to save changes made to the operating systems.
  • Ventoy supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • You can use Ventoy to create a rescue USB drive with tools like Hiren’s BootCD or Parted Magic.

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