Ventoy

Free plan LinuxWindows

What Ventoy is

Ventoy is a free, open-source utility for making bootable drives from image files. After installing it, users copy ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), or EFI files to the drive and select one from a boot menu without extracting it. Listed operating system coverage includes Windows, WinPE, Linux, ChromeOS, Unix, VMware, and Xen. Ventoy supports x86 Legacy BIOS and IA32, x86_64, ARM64, and MIPS64EL UEFI, as well as MBR and GPT partition styles. The main partition can use FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, UDF, XFS, Btrfs, or Ext2/3/4. Other listed features include Linux persistence, automated Windows and Linux installation, password protection, themes, and a plugin framework with a GUI configurator. It can be installed on USB drives, local disks, SSDs, NVMe drives, and SD cards. Setup guides cover Windows and Linux GUI and command-line modes. Secure Boot is supported, though it may not work on every machine. Ventoy’s code follows GPLv3+; other components follow their respective project licenses.

Who it suits

Ventoy suits users who need bootable drives for multiple image files or operating system types. It is available for Windows and Linux management, with GUI and command-line modes documented for both.

What it does well

Boots multiple image file types without extracting them.
Supports both MBR and GPT partition styles.
Offers Linux persistence and automated Windows and Linux installation.
Can be installed on USB drives, SSDs, and SD cards.
Free and open source.

What to know first

Standard installation formats the USB drive and erases its data.
Secure Boot may not work on every machine.
Some images may fail because firmware differs or has bugs.

Limits

There is no paid or limited free tier in the supplied plan information. A standard installation erases the USB drive's data; updates leave files in the first partition unchanged.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Ventoy	Open source bootable USB utility	Free

As ventoy.net lists them, read 29 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Ventoy website.
Download Ventoy and check the SHA-256 hash.
Choose the Windows or Linux GUI or command-line management route.
Install Ventoy on a supported drive, noting that a standard installation erases its data.
Copy image files to the drive and select one from the boot menu.

Verdict

Ventoy offers broad image, firmware, and partition support for bootable drives at no cost. Users should account for installation erasing USB data and check Secure Boot compatibility with their machine.

Questions

How much does Ventoy cost?

The Ventoy plan is free.

Is Ventoy open source?

Yes. The project describes Ventoy as 100% open source. Its own developed code follows GPLv3+, while other components follow their respective project licenses.

Which platforms can manage Ventoy?

The guides document GUI and command-line modes for Windows and Linux.

What files can it boot?

Ventoy can boot ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files directly from a drive.

Does it support Secure Boot?

Yes, but Secure Boot may not work on every machine. Some computers require enabling the Microsoft 3rd Party UEFI CA setting.

Where can I get help?

The site directs users to its forums or the maintainer's email for general issues and problem reports.

Facts from Ventoy's own pages

Compatibility caveat: Ventoy says tested images may not work on every machine because firmware differs among vendors and may contain bugs. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Disk formats: Ventoy supports MBR and GPT partition styles and lists FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, UDF, XFS, Btrfs, and Ext2/3/4 for the main partition. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Download integrity: The download page asks users to check the SHA-256 hash and links to SourceForge because the Ventoy site is underprovisioned for downloads. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Features: The feature list includes Linux persistence, Windows and Linux auto installation, password protection, themes, and a plugin framework with a GUI configurator. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Firmware: Ventoy lists support for x86 Legacy BIOS and IA32, x86_64, ARM64, and MIPS64EL UEFI. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Hardware: Ventoy can be installed on USB drives, local disks, SSDs, NVMe drives, and SD cards. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Installation limit: A standard installation formats the USB drive and erases its data; the guide says updates leave files in the first partition unchanged. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
License: Ventoy describes itself as 100% open source and says its own developed code follows GPLv3+ while other components follow their respective project licenses. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Purpose: Ventoy creates bootable USB drives that can boot ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files directly. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Secure Boot: Ventoy supports UEFI Secure Boot, but its documented default policy allows EFI files to boot without checks; users can configure a policy through the Global Control Plugin. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Secure Boot caveat: Some computers require enabling the Microsoft 3rd Party UEFI CA setting, and the site says Secure Boot may not work on every machine. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Support: The site directs users to its forums or the maintainer’s email for general issues and problem reports. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Supported management platforms: The setup guide documents Windows GUI and command-line modes plus Linux GUI and command-line modes. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Supported systems: The site says Ventoy supports most operating system types, including Windows, WinPE, Linux, ChromeOS, Unix, VMware, and Xen. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026
Use: After installing Ventoy, users can copy image files to the drive and select them from a boot menu without extracting them. · ventoy.net, 29 Sept 2026

Where Ventoy stands on Freedom251

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