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Ventoy lets you install a boot menu on a USB drive once, then copy multiple Linux ISO files to the drive’s main partition. When a computer starts from that USB, Ventoy lists the images so you can choose a distribution without rewriting the drive for every new ISO.
The process is straightforward, but installation reformats the selected USB device and erases its existing data. Back up the drive, identify it carefully, and then follow the Windows or Linux procedure below. Secure Boot, filesystem choice, firmware mode and persistence each have important limitations.
What Ventoy does
Ventoy is an open-source tool for creating bootable media for ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x) and EFI files. Its central advantage is that the USB does not need to be recreated whenever you add another distribution. Install Ventoy once, copy supported image files to the large data partition, and Ventoy discovers them when the computer boots. The project describes this workflow as installing Ventoy once and then copying ISO files to the USB (official getting-started guide).
Ventoy’s project overview reports that more than 1,400 image files have been tested and that more than 90% of distributions listed on DistroWatch are supported. Those are Ventoy’s own project figures, shown near a release dated 2026-07-24, not an independent compatibility test. A particular ISO can still fail because of its own boot design, the computer’s firmware or security policy.
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Prepare the USB and computer
Back up the USB first
Ventoy’s installer formats the selected device. Copy every file you need from the USB to another disk before opening the installer. Treat the operation as destructive even if the drive currently contains only a few files.
Confirm the device identity
On Windows, Ventoy2Disk normally lists USB devices. Its option to show all devices can expose internal disks as well, increasing the chance of selecting the wrong device. Leave that option off unless you have a specific reason to use it, and compare the displayed capacity with the physical USB drive before clicking Install.
On Linux, identify the whole USB device rather than one of its partitions. Commands such as lsblk can show sizes and mount points. A target such as /dev/sdX represents a complete disk; a path ending in a partition number, such as /dev/sdX1, is not the device path expected by Ventoy’s installer. Replace the example letter with the identifier you actually verified.
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Size the drive for your ISO collection
Ventoy’s documented 32 GB layout is an illustration, not a minimum requirement or a recommendation. Choose capacity by adding the sizes of the Linux images you plan to carry, then leave room for newer releases, rescue images and ordinary files. This is practical sizing advice based on the main partition’s role as image storage; Ventoy does not publish a universal minimum capacity for a multi-distribution collection.
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Check the target computer
Ventoy lists support for x86 Legacy BIOS, IA32 UEFI, x86_64 UEFI, ARM64 UEFI and MIPS64EL UEFI. These are project-level compatibility categories, not a promise that every distribution image will boot on every machine. Know whether the target computer normally starts in Legacy BIOS or UEFI mode, and note whether Secure Boot is enabled.
Download Ventoy and verify the package
Use the official Ventoy download page rather than a third-party mirror. At the time of this article, that page lists Ventoy 1.1.18, released 2026-10-09. Version numbers, files and hashes can change, so use the package and checksum currently displayed there if they differ from the values below.
| Package | SHA-256 listed for Ventoy 1.1.18 | Use |
|---|---|---|
ventoy-1.1.18-windows.zip |
082c478e8c432e1ac653899fcf50e3a4077a2851bc6112b5ddd30545962164a9 |
Windows graphical installer |
ventoy-1.1.18-linux.tar.gz |
d86ff9de63d94c8b8f1f6b14d23c55af4b88e8207bf2893890892a6a97b1ad54 |
Linux command-line installer |
| Ventoy LiveCD image | Use the hash published beside the current LiveCD download | Bootable environment for installing Ventoy |
After downloading, compare the file’s SHA-256 value with the value on the download page. On Windows PowerShell, you can run Get-FileHash .ventoy-1.1.18-windows.zip -Algorithm SHA256. On Linux, use sha256sum ventoy-1.1.18-linux.tar.gz. A mismatch means you should download the package again instead of installing it.
Install Ventoy from Windows
- Extract
ventoy-1.1.18-windows.zipto a local folder. - Insert the USB drive and close programs that may be using it.
- Open the extracted folder and run
Ventoy2Disk.exe. Approve the administrator prompt if Windows displays one. - In the device list, select the USB drive whose capacity matches the drive you prepared. Do not select an internal SSD or hard disk.
- Review the partition-style and filesystem options if you need a configuration other than the defaults. Ventoy will warn that the device is going to be formatted; confirm only after checking the device again.
- Choose Install. The operation creates Ventoy’s boot files and partitions and erases the previous contents.
- Wait for the success message, then let Windows mount the large data partition. If Windows asks to format a newly created partition, do not format it again; use the partition Ventoy mounted for file storage.
If you later install a newer Ventoy release, use its installer’s update function only after reading the current release notes and backing up your ISO files. The initial installation is the step that destroys existing contents; an update should still be treated cautiously.
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Install Ventoy from Linux
- Extract the downloaded archive, for example with
tar -xzf ventoy-1.1.18-linux.tar.gz, and change into the extracted directory. - Insert the USB drive and identify its whole-device path with
lsblk. Check the size, model and mount points. Unmount any partitions on that USB before writing to it. - Run the installer as root with the verified device path:
sudo sh Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX. Replace/dev/sdXwith the actual USB device; never copy the example literally unless it is truly the correct path. - Read the destructive-operation warning and confirm the device. Ventoy repartitions and formats it.
- When the command completes, unplug and reconnect the USB if your desktop does not automatically mount the new data partition.
The -i operation is an installation to a whole device. Selecting a partition such as /dev/sdX1, an internal disk, or a mounted system disk can produce data loss or an unusable result. If you are unsure which identifier belongs to the USB, stop and verify it before running the command.
Understand Ventoy’s partitions and filesystems
Ventoy’s documented layout contains a large first partition for your image files and a small EFI partition containing boot files. The default main-partition filesystem is exFAT. Ventoy also documents FAT32, NTFS, UDF, XFS and ext2/3/4 as choices.
| Choice | What it means for a multi-ISO USB |
|---|---|
| exFAT (documented default) | Convenient for a cross-platform data partition and a typical choice when the USB will be managed from Windows and Linux. |
| FAT32 | An available alternative, but individual-file size limits can matter for very large image files. |
| NTFS | Available when Windows-oriented access is important; support on other systems depends on their filesystem drivers. |
| UDF | Supported as an alternative filesystem in Ventoy’s layout documentation. |
| XFS or ext2/3/4 | Available for Linux-focused use. Ventoy documentation warns that these filesystems make the USB unavailable to Windows. |
Do not casually move, delete or resize Ventoy’s partitions. If you choose a non-default filesystem, make the decision based on the operating systems that must read the drive, not on a claim that one format is universally faster or more compatible.
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Partition style should follow the firmware you need to support. Modern UEFI-only equipment and older BIOS systems can have different expectations, and firmware implementations vary. Ventoy exposes partition-layout choices in its installer; select the style that matches your target machines and test the USB on those machines before relying on it for recovery work. There is no single MBR-or-GPT setting that is best for every mixed fleet.
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Add several Linux distributions
- Open the large first partition that Ventoy created. It is the normal file-storage volume, not the small EFI partition.
- Copy complete Linux ISO files to that partition. Do not extract the ISO contents.
- Optionally create folders such as
Linux/Ubuntu,Linux/FedoraorRescueto keep a large collection organized. - Copy additional images whenever you want. Ventoy searches directories and subdirectories recursively, so files in those folders appear in the boot menu.
- Use clear filenames that include the distribution and release, for example
distribution-version-architecture.iso. Avoid renaming an image with an extension that no longer identifies it as an ISO.
You can keep multiple releases of the same distribution on the drive; Ventoy presents each supported image as a separate menu item. The USB is not rewritten when you add or remove an ISO, so managing the collection is ordinary file copying. Keep enough free space for the images you intend to add and for future releases.
Boot a computer from the Ventoy USB
- Safely eject the USB from the operating system after copying files, then insert it into the computer you want to start.
- Power on or restart the computer and open its one-time boot-device menu. The key varies by manufacturer; common labels include Boot Menu, Startup Menu or Boot Override.
- Select the USB device. If two entries appear, one may be marked UEFI; choose the mode appropriate for the operating system installation or test you are performing.
- When Ventoy’s menu appears, highlight the desired ISO and press Enter. Read any image-specific prompt, then continue into that distribution’s live or installer environment.
The computer’s firmware determines whether the USB starts in Legacy BIOS or UEFI mode. Ventoy does not force that choice. If the USB does not appear, check the firmware boot order, try another USB port, and verify that the selected partition style and boot mode are compatible with that computer.
Use Secure Boot carefully
Secure Boot behavior depends on the firmware and the Ventoy release. Ventoy’s Secure Boot guide describes enabling Secure Boot support and completing key enrollment the first time the USB starts. Some firmware requires an option labeled Allow Microsoft 3rd Party UEFI CA before Ventoy can load.
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- Read the current Secure Boot instructions for your Ventoy version.
- Enable the documented support option and enroll the key when the firmware presents the enrollment screen.
- Reboot and select the USB again.
- If the firmware rejects Ventoy, reports an invalid signature or cannot complete enrollment, temporarily disable Secure Boot in firmware and retry only if your security policy permits it.
- Re-enable Secure Boot after testing when the machine’s firmware and Ventoy configuration support it.
Disabling Secure Boot lowers a firmware-level protection, so treat it as a compatibility workaround rather than a universal fix.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Optional persistence for live sessions
A normal live ISO usually starts with a fresh session. Ventoy documents a persistence plugin that associates an ISO with one or more persistence backend files so supported distributions can retain changes between boots. Configuration is stored in ventoy.json, and the documentation recommends the VentoyPlugson graphical configurator.
Persistence is advanced and distro-specific. The examples shown in Ventoy’s documentation include older releases such as Ubuntu 20.04 and Mint 19.3; those examples do not establish current support for newer releases. Before relying on persistence, check the current instructions for the exact distribution and version you plan to use.
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- Create the persistence backend file using the method and size recommended for that release.
- Use VentoyPlugson or edit
ventoy.jsonto associate the backend with the exact ISO filename. - Boot the ISO and create a small test file, restart, and confirm whether it remains.
- If changes disappear or the image fails to boot, remove the persistence mapping and use ordinary live mode while you investigate compatibility.
Verify images and eject safely
A corrupt or incomplete ISO can look like a Ventoy problem. Ventoy’s menu can calculate an image checksum with the m hotkey. It can also compare the result with supported companion checksum files. Use this when an image is missing from the menu, a live environment crashes, or an installer reports damaged media. The procedure and supported formats are described in the checksum guide.
After copying a large image, wait for the operating system to finish writing cached data. Ventoy documentation warns that cached data can remain even after a copy appears complete. Use the operating system’s safe-eject command and wait for confirmation before unplugging the USB. Removing it early can leave an ISO truncated and make a later boot fail.
Configuration decisions at a glance
| Decision | Choose based on | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Windows GUI or Linux command line | Which operating system you have available for installation. | The Windows interface is visual; Linux requires accurate whole-device identification and a root command. |
| MBR or GPT | The Legacy BIOS and UEFI firmware combinations you must boot. | Firmware compatibility varies, so test on the actual target computers. |
| exFAT or another filesystem | Which host operating systems need to read and manage the data partition. | XFS and ext2/3/4 make the USB unavailable on Windows; alternatives have their own access and file-size considerations. |
| Secure Boot enabled or disabled | Your security policy and whether the firmware completes Ventoy key enrollment. | Enabled mode may require enrollment and can fail on particular firmware; disabling it reduces a firmware protection. |
| Persistence or ordinary live mode | Whether changes must survive a reboot. | Persistence requires a distro-specific configuration and is not guaranteed for every current release. |
Troubleshoot common failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The installer shows no USB | The drive is not connected, is mounted oddly, or Windows is filtering the device list. | Reconnect the drive, close disk-management tools, and refresh the list. On Windows, use the show-all-devices option only when necessary and recheck every device before installing. |
| The wrong disk was selected | Internal disks became visible and a similar capacity was chosen. | Stop immediately if the operation has not started. If formatting has begun, do not write more data to that disk; use a professional recovery process rather than attempting repeated repairs. |
| An ISO is absent from Ventoy’s menu | The copy is incomplete, the file is not a supported image, or it is on the wrong partition. | Confirm that the file is on the large first partition, check its extension and size, recopy it after a safe eject, and use the m checksum function. |
| The USB is not offered in the boot menu | Firmware boot mode, boot order, port choice or partition style is incompatible. | Open the one-time boot menu, try another port, check UEFI versus Legacy mode, and review the MBR/GPT choice used during installation. |
| Secure Boot reports an invalid signature | Key enrollment was skipped or that firmware does not accept Ventoy’s Secure Boot path. | Follow the current enrollment steps, including any Microsoft third-party UEFI CA setting. If it still fails, disable Secure Boot only where policy allows. |
| Windows cannot open the data partition | The main partition was formatted as XFS or ext2/3/4. | Access the drive from Linux, or reinstall Ventoy with a filesystem that the Windows systems managing the USB can read. Reinstallation erases the drive again. |
| Boot fails after a large copy | Write caching left data unwritten when the USB was removed. | Copy the image again, wait for the operating system’s write activity to finish, and safely eject before unplugging. |
| Persistence does not retain files | The distribution or release is not compatible with the selected persistence configuration. | Remove the mapping, test ordinary live mode, and consult the current persistence instructions for that exact release. |
Keep the multi-boot drive maintainable
- Store images in descriptive folders so the Ventoy menu remains readable as the collection grows.
- Keep a text note on another disk listing each ISO’s download URL, release and checksum; do not rely solely on a filename.
- Delete obsolete images before the partition fills, then safely eject after file operations.
- Retest the USB after changing firmware settings, updating Ventoy or replacing a frequently used ISO.
- Keep a second recovery method for critical work. Broad project compatibility does not guarantee that every image will boot on every computer.
Ventoy documentation and current release details
For installation screens and device warnings, see the getting-started guide. The project overview is at ventoy.net/en/, and current packages and hashes are listed on the download page. Consult the FAQ for image and firmware questions, the GPT disk-layout documentation for partition details, the Secure Boot guide for enrollment, the persistence documentation for supported configurations, and the checksum guide for image verification.
Bottom line
Install Ventoy once on a backed-up USB, copy the Linux ISO files to its large first partition, and select an image from the boot menu. The workflow is efficient for carrying several distributions, but careful device selection, firmware-mode testing, Secure Boot enrollment, checksum verification and safe ejection determine whether the drive is dependable.
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