Ventoy lets you install a boot manager on a USB drive once, then add Linux distributions by copying their ISO files to the drive. At startup, Ventoy displays those images in a menu, so you can choose Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, rescue media, or another supported image without reformatting the USB each time.
The process is destructive during the initial installation: Ventoy formats the selected device. Back up the drive, identify it carefully, install the current Ventoy release, copy your ISOs, and safely eject the USB before booting it.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Ventoy does differently
A conventional Linux installer usually writes one ISO directly to a USB drive, replacing what was there before. Ventoy changes that workflow. Its boot files are installed to the USB once; afterward, the large data partition acts like ordinary storage. You copy ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), or EFI files to it, and Ventoy finds supported images when the computer starts.
Ventoy’s official overview describes it as “an open source tool to create bootable USB drive for ISO/WIM/IMG/VHD(x)/EFI files.” The project 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, not an independent compatibility test; a particular ISO can still fail on particular firmware or hardware. See the official project overview for the current project claims.
#1 Best Overall
- ✅For beginners, refer image-7, its a video boot instruction, and image-6 is "boot menu Hot Key list"
- ✅16-IN-1, 64GB Bootable USB Drive 3.2 , Can Run Linux On USB Drive Without Install, All Latest versions.
- ✅Including Windows 11 64Bit & Linux Mint 22.3 (Cinnamon)、Kali 2026.02、Ubuntu 26.04、Zorin Pro 18、Tails 7.8.1、Debian 13.5.0、Garuda 2026.03、Fedora Workstation 44、Manjaro 25.06、Pop!_OS 22.04、Solus 2026.04、Archcraft 26.05、Neon 2026.06、Fossapup 9.5、Sparkylinux 8.3, All ISO has been Tested
- ✅Supported UEFI and Legacy, Compatibility any PC/Laptop, Any boot issue only needs to disable "Secure Boot"
In practical terms, adding a distribution is a file-copy operation:
- Install Ventoy on the USB drive.
- Download one or more Linux ISO files.
- Copy them to the USB’s main partition, optionally inside folders.
- Boot the computer from the USB and select an ISO from Ventoy’s menu.
As the project’s getting-started guide puts it, “You just need to install Ventoy once, after that all the things needed is to copy the iso files to the USB.”
Before installing: choose and protect the USB drive
Back up everything on the target drive
Ventoy’s installation reformats the selected device and destroys its existing contents. Copy documents and other files elsewhere before opening the installer. Treat the installation as a wipe, even if the drive already has free space.
Identify the device, not just its name
Connect only the drive you intend to repurpose if possible. Compare its capacity and model with the installer’s device list. On Windows, Ventoy2Disk lists USB devices by default. An option to show all devices can expose internal disks and increases the risk of selecting the wrong one, so leave it off unless you have a specific reason to use it.
On Linux, identify the whole USB device with a disk utility such as lsblk before installing. The target is a device such as /dev/sdX, not a partition such as /dev/sdX1. Substitute the actual device letter; using the wrong path can erase another disk.
Size the drive for your ISO collection
Ventoy’s documentation illustrates a 32 GB USB layout, but that example is not a stated minimum or recommendation. Choose capacity from the total size of the images you plan to carry, plus room for newer releases, checksum files, persistence data, and ordinary documents. A practical sizing method is to total your current ISO files, add the space you expect to need for the next few releases, and select the next larger USB capacity.
| Planning question | How it affects the choice |
|---|---|
| How many distributions? | Each ISO consumes space on the main partition; several full installer images can require many gigabytes. |
| Will you keep older releases? | Retaining multiple versions requires more capacity than carrying only the current image. |
| Do you need persistence? | Persistent live systems use backend files that consume additional space. |
| Will the drive also hold ordinary files? | Reserve free space instead of filling the partition entirely with ISOs. |
Download Ventoy and Linux images safely
Get the current Ventoy package
Use the project’s official download page, because package names, releases, and hashes change. At the time of this guide’s update, the listing shows Ventoy 1.1.18, released October 9, 2026. It lists these packages and SHA-256 values:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
| Package | SHA-256 shown on the listing | 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 image | Bootable environment for installing or repairing Ventoy |
These values are version-specific. If the download page shows a newer release, use that release and its displayed hash instead of copying the values above.
Verify an archive before extracting it
On Windows, calculate a file hash in PowerShell with Get-FileHash .ventoy-1.1.18-windows.zip -Algorithm SHA256 and compare the result with the download page. On Linux, run sha256sum ventoy-1.1.18-linux.tar.gz. A mismatch means the file should not be used; download it again from the official page.
Download Linux ISO files from each distribution’s official download channel. Keep the original filenames unless you have a reason to rename them; readable names make Ventoy’s boot menu easier to navigate.
Install Ventoy from Windows
- Extract the Windows ZIP archive to a normal folder.
- Open that folder and run
Ventoy2Disk.exe. Approve the Windows elevation prompt if it appears. - Insert the USB drive and wait for it to appear in the device list.
- Confirm the device’s model and capacity. Do not select an internal disk. Avoid enabling the “show all devices” option unless you understand the added risk.
- Review the available options. If you need a particular partition style or filesystem, set it before installation; otherwise use the defaults appropriate for your targets.
- Choose Install, acknowledge the erase warnings, and wait for the operation to finish.
- Open the newly created large partition in File Explorer. The small boot/EFI partition may also be visible in some tools; do not delete, move, or resize Ventoy’s partitions.
If Windows reports that the drive needs formatting after installation, cancel that prompt. Formatting either partition manually can remove Ventoy’s boot files or change the filesystem you selected.
Install Ventoy from Linux
- Extract the Linux archive, for example with
tar -xzf ventoy-1.1.18-linux.tar.gz. - Open a terminal in the extracted Ventoy directory.
- Use
lsblkor a graphical disk utility to confirm the USB’s whole-device path, such as/dev/sdX. Check the size and mounted partitions carefully. - Unmount any partitions belonging to that USB, but do not disconnect it.
- Run the installer as root using the official syntax, replacing
/dev/sdXwith the confirmed device:sudo sh Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX. - Read both erase confirmations, type the requested confirmation, and wait until the script reports completion.
- Disconnect and reconnect the USB if your desktop does not automatically mount its new data partition.
The -i operation installs Ventoy and initializes the device. Do not append a partition number. The exact command-line options can change, so consult the current getting-started instructions when using a later release or a different operation such as updating an existing installation.
Understand the partition layout and filesystem choices
A normal Ventoy layout has a large first partition for ISO files and a small EFI partition containing boot files. The project’s GPT disk-layout documentation uses a 32 GB drive as an illustration. It does not define that size as a minimum, and casually moving or resizing either partition can make the drive unbootable.
exFAT is the documented default for the main partition. Ventoy also lists FAT32, NTFS, UDF, XFS, and ext2/3/4 as alternatives. The choice is a compatibility decision rather than a universal performance ranking:
Rank #3
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9+; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
| Main-partition format | What the documentation establishes | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| exFAT | Ventoy’s documented default | You want a broadly usable data partition on current Windows and Linux systems. |
| FAT32 | Listed as an available option | You specifically need FAT32 compatibility and can accept its file-size limitations. |
| NTFS | Listed as an available option | Your normal host environment is Windows and NTFS is preferable there. |
| UDF | Listed as an available option | A particular workflow requires UDF. |
| XFS or ext2/3/4 | Listed options; the documentation says Windows cannot access the USB when these filesystems are used | Linux-only management is acceptable and Windows access is not needed. |
Ventoy can use either MBR or GPT depending on the installer settings and target firmware. Select the style based on the computers you must boot, rather than assuming one is always superior. Legacy BIOS support and newer UEFI systems can have different requirements; test the chosen layout on the actual machines before relying on the drive for recovery work.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCopy several Linux distributions to the USB
- Mount the large Ventoy data partition.
- Copy each downloaded ISO to its root or to a clearly named folder such as
/linux/,/rescue/, or/older-releases/. - Keep adding images until the capacity plan leaves insufficient free space; no reinstall is required for another ISO.
- Safely eject the drive after copying.
Ventoy searches directories and subdirectories recursively, so folders do not prevent images from appearing in the menu. Organizing by distribution or purpose is useful when the drive contains many files. Do not copy an ISO into the small EFI partition; use the large data partition intended for images.
Most Linux distributions publish hybrid ISO images that boot directly. Ventoy’s broad image support is a project claim, not a promise that every customized or damaged image will work. If an image does not appear, check that it is a complete supported file and that the copy finished without errors.
Boot a computer and select a distribution
- Leave the USB connected and restart the target computer.
- Open the computer’s one-time boot-device menu during startup. The key varies by manufacturer; common labels include Boot Menu, Boot Options, or UEFI Boot Manager.
- Select the USB device. If two entries appear, one may be explicitly labeled UEFI; choose the mode required by the operating system or deployment policy.
- Wait for Ventoy’s menu, then highlight the desired ISO and press Enter.
- Use the Linux distribution’s own menu to start a live session or begin installation.
The computer’s firmware determines whether the USB starts in Legacy BIOS or UEFI mode. Ventoy does not select that mode on its own. If the USB is missing from the boot menu, check firmware settings, try the other USB port, and confirm that the drive’s partition style matches the machine’s boot requirements.
Secure Boot: enable it carefully
Secure Boot is the most common source of a “works on one computer, fails on another” Ventoy experience. Ventoy’s Secure Boot guide describes enabling Secure Boot support and completing a key-enrollment process on the first boot. Some firmware also requires an option named Allow Microsoft 3rd Party UEFI CA.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The guide describes Ventoy’s default policy as bypassing Secure Boot checks for EFI files and warns that this approach is imperfect on some machines. Ventoy 1.1.13 and later introduces a new key-enrollment requirement according to the current secure-boot page. Therefore:
- Read the on-screen enrollment prompt the first time the USB boots and complete it only if you trust the Ventoy installation.
- Record the firmware administrator password if the machine requires one to change Secure Boot settings.
- If the firmware rejects Ventoy after enrollment, check for the third-party UEFI CA setting and update firmware according to the computer maker’s instructions.
- If the device still cannot boot Ventoy, temporarily disabling Secure Boot may be necessary. That lowers the platform’s boot-verification protection, so re-enable it when the USB task is complete if your security policy requires it.
Secure Boot behavior depends on firmware implementation. Do not treat a successful boot on one model as proof that every UEFI computer will accept the same configuration.
Rank #4
- Lightweight and convenient: Lexar JumpDrive A30E (USB Type-A) boasts a slim, portable design for easy device compatibility; lightweight at 7.41 g
- Transfer speeds up to 100 MB/s: 10x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives; Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions
- Wide compatibility: Compatible with tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required; Reliably stores photos, videos & files
- Compact: Features a push-button retractor and a lanyard loop for on-the-go use
- Enhanced security: Lexar DataShield protects files, easily creates a password-protected safe with auto-encryption; Files deleted from the safe are securely erased and can't be recovered
Verify images and eject the drive safely
Check an ISO from Ventoy’s menu
Ventoy can calculate an image checksum from its boot menu. Highlight the image and press the m hotkey to open the checksum function. Ventoy can compare the result with supported companion checksum files. This is useful when an ISO is missing, hangs during startup, or reports installation errors.
A checksum proves that the file you copied matches the expected digest only when you obtain the expected digest from a trusted distribution source. It does not prove that the distribution itself is safe or that it supports your computer.
Wait for cached writes
A large ISO can appear to finish copying while data remains in the operating system’s write cache. Use the operating system’s Eject or Safely Remove command and wait for confirmation before unplugging the drive. Removing it early can leave an incomplete image that Ventoy cannot boot.
For the detailed checksum workflow, see Ventoy’s checksum documentation.
Optional: make a persistent live Linux system
Ordinary live mode starts from a clean session; changes may disappear when you reboot. Ventoy documents a persistence plugin that associates an ISO with one or more persistence backend files. This can preserve selected changes, such as installed packages or configuration, for supported distributions.
- Create a persistence backend file with the size required by your use case.
- Place the backend file on the Ventoy data partition.
- Create or edit
ventoy.jsonwith the persistence association required by the current Ventoy documentation. - Use VentoyPlugson, the project’s recommended graphical configurator, if you prefer not to edit JSON manually.
- Boot the ISO and select its persistent option when the distribution provides one.
Persistence is distro-specific and should be treated as an advanced configuration. Ventoy’s displayed tested examples include older releases such as Ubuntu 20.04 and Linux Mint 19.3; those examples do not establish support for current releases. Verify the current distribution’s persistence instructions and test the result before using it for important work.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Keep ordinary live mode when you need a disposable troubleshooting environment. Choose persistence only when retaining changes between boots is worth the additional file, configuration, and compatibility work.
Best Value
- 1-Pack 128GB USB Flash Drive: Store, back up, and transfer photos, videos, music, documents, movies, manuals, and software with ease. Large-capacity portable storage for school, office, business, travel, and everyday use
- Plug and Play: No software installation required. Simply connect the USB flash drive to a USB port for quick access to your files. Ideal for file sharing, data storage, backup, and transferring digital content between devices
- Wide Compatibility: Compatible with Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / XP/ Vista / 2000 / ME / NT, Linux and Mac OS, and most USB-enabled devices. This USB drive works with desktop computers, laptops, TVs, car audio systems, speakers, and more. Supports USB 2.0 and is backward compatible with USB 1.1
- Portable Swivel Design: Features a 360° rotating metal cover that helps protect the USB connector when not in use. Built-in keyring loop allows easy attachment to keychains, backpacks, briefcases, or lanyards. Durable ABS plastic housing with LED activity indicator
- Tested for Quality: Each thumb drive undergoes quality testing and pre-formatting before shipment. Designed for dependable everyday use and convenient file storage across compatible devices
Troubleshoot the problems people hit most often
The installer shows the wrong disk
Stop before clicking Install. Disconnect other removable drives, compare the target’s capacity and model, and reopen the installer. On Windows, avoid “show all devices” unless necessary. On Linux, re-run lsblk and verify the whole-device path. A mistaken selection is destructive and cannot be repaired by changing a later setting.
The ISO is not listed in Ventoy
- Confirm that the file is on the large data partition, not the EFI partition.
- Check that the filename still ends in the distribution’s ISO extension and that the copy completed.
- Rescan or restart Ventoy after copying if the menu was already open.
- Compare the file’s checksum with the distribution’s published value.
- Try placing the image in the partition root to rule out a path or permissions problem, then reorganize it into folders after it appears.
The computer does not show the USB as bootable
Try a different USB port, open the one-time boot menu again, and look for both legacy and UEFI entries. Check whether firmware has disabled USB booting or requires an administrator setting. If the drive was created with a partition style unsuitable for the machine, reinstalling Ventoy with the appropriate MBR or GPT choice may be required; that operation erases the USB again.
Ventoy starts, but a Linux image freezes or reboots
Verify the ISO checksum, recopy it after safely ejecting the drive, and test the same image on another computer. Check the distribution’s release notes for hardware-specific boot parameters. A Ventoy menu appearing successfully does not prove that every kernel, graphics adapter, storage controller, or firmware combination will run the selected live system.
Recommended Free Tools
Secure Boot rejects the drive
Review the key-enrollment screen, check whether the firmware exposes “Allow Microsoft 3rd Party UEFI CA,” and confirm that the USB is being started in UEFI mode. If the machine still rejects Ventoy, follow the secure-boot guide’s fallback of disabling Secure Boot temporarily, subject to your organization’s security policy.
Windows cannot open the partition
If the main partition uses XFS or ext2/3/4, this is expected according to Ventoy’s documentation. Reinstall with exFAT, FAT32, or NTFS when Windows must manage the ISO files. Reinstalling is destructive, so copy any needed images elsewhere first.
Maintain the multiboot USB
Adding and removing distributions
To add an image later, copy it to the data partition and safely eject the drive. To remove one, delete only that ISO file. Ventoy itself does not need to be reinstalled for either operation.
Updating Ventoy
When a newer release is published, download the current package from the official download page and read its release notes. Use the update function provided by that release rather than manually replacing boot files. Confirm the target device before every update, and keep a backup of important ISO files. An update is not the same as a fresh install, but selecting the wrong disk remains dangerous.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallKeep a recovery copy
A multiboot drive is convenient but still a single physical device. Keep important installers and rescue images on another drive or network location. Periodically boot the images you depend on, especially after changing firmware settings or replacing the computer.
Which configuration should you choose?
| Decision | Use this when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Windows GUI installation | You manage the USB from Windows and want device discovery and confirmation dialogs. | Requires extracting and running the graphical executable; selecting “show all devices” can expose disks you did not intend to erase. |
| Linux command-line installation | You are already working on Linux or need a scriptable workflow. | Fast and precise, but a wrong whole-device path can wipe another disk. |
| Default exFAT | You need a general-purpose data partition accessible from Windows and Linux. | It is a documented default, not a guarantee for every firmware or operating system. |
| FAT32 or NTFS | A target environment specifically requires one of these filesystems. | Changing formats can affect file-size limits or cross-platform access. |
| Secure Boot enabled | Your security policy requires verified boot. | Key enrollment and firmware-specific settings may be needed; compatibility is not universal. |
| Secure Boot disabled temporarily | Firmware cannot boot Ventoy after the documented enrollment steps. | Reduces boot verification while disabled; restore the policy afterward. |
| Persistence | You need supported live-session changes to survive reboot. | Requires backend files and configuration, and support varies by distribution and release. |
| Ordinary live mode | You want a clean, disposable troubleshooting or installation session. | Changes normally do not survive a restart. |
Compatibility you can reasonably expect
Ventoy lists support for x86 Legacy BIOS, IA32 UEFI, x86_64 UEFI, ARM64 UEFI, and MIPS64EL UEFI. These are project-level supported architectures, not a guarantee for every image on every motherboard. Compatibility also depends on the ISO’s boot design, firmware settings, Secure Boot implementation, and the hardware drivers required by the Linux distribution.
Use Ventoy when you regularly switch among installers, live environments, and recovery tools and want to add images without rewriting the drive. For a single one-time installation, a dedicated installer written directly to a USB can be simpler. For a shared support drive, organize images into folders, label the physical USB, and document which firmware mode and Secure Boot policy were used during testing.
Quick Recap
Final pre-boot checklist
- The USB contains no files you still need, or they have been backed up.
- You confirmed the correct device by capacity and model.
- You downloaded Ventoy from the official page and checked its hash when practical.
- Ventoy installation completed without errors.
- Linux ISO files are on the large data partition, not the EFI partition.
- The total ISO size fits with room for updates and any persistence files.
- Each important ISO has a trusted checksum available for comparison.
- The USB was safely ejected after the final copy.
- You know whether the target computer should boot the legacy or UEFI entry.
- You have a plan for Secure Boot enrollment or a policy-approved fallback.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
