How to use ventoy

Harrison Clayton October 24, 2022 2

If you are tired of carrying around multiple USB drives or constantly creating new bootable USBs for different operating systems or tools, then ventoy is the solution for you. Ventoy is a bootloader that allows you to create a multi-boot USB drive, which means you can have multiple operating systems or tools on a single USB drive. It’s a handy tool for system administrators, IT professionals, and anyone who frequently works with different operating systems.

With ventoy, you no longer need to spend time creating separate bootable USB drives for different operating systems or tools. It simplifies the process of managing your tools and operating systems by providing a single bootable USB drive that can be customized to your specific needs. Whether you need to have multiple versions of Windows, Linux distributions, diagnostic tools, or rescue systems, ventoy can handle them all.

Using ventoy is easy. You simply need to download the ventoy ISO file, create a bootable USB drive using ventoy, and then copy the ISO files of the desired operating system or tools onto the USB drive. When you boot from the USB drive, ventoy will display a selection menu where you can choose which operating system or tool you want to boot into. It’s as simple as that!

Ventoy is compatible with both BIOS and UEFI systems, and supports a wide range of operating systems and tools, including Windows, Linux, Unix, macOS, Android, diagnostic tools, antivirus tools, rescue systems, and more. It’s an incredibly versatile tool that can be used in various scenarios, such as system installation, system recovery, troubleshooting, and software testing.

So, if you want to simplify the process of managing your bootable USB drives and have all your favorite operating systems and tools on a single USB drive, give ventoy a try. It’s an open-source tool that is constantly being updated and improved by its developer and the community. With ventoy, your USB drive can become your ultimate tool for all your system administration and IT needs.

Getting started with Ventoy: Learn how to make a multiboot USB drive (USB Booting)

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Step 1: Download ventoy

The first step to using ventoy is to download the software from the official website. Ventoy is available for both Windows and Linux operating systems.

For Windows:

Go to the ventoy website.
Click on the “Download” tab.
Scroll down and find the latest stable release of ventoy for Windows.
Click on the download link to start downloading the installation package.
Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file on your computer.
Double-click on the file to run the installer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install ventoy on your Windows computer.

For Linux:

Go to the ventoy website.
Click on the “Download” tab.
Scroll down and find the latest stable release of ventoy for Linux.
Click on the download link to start downloading the compressed file.
Once the download is complete, open the terminal on your Linux system.
Navigate to the directory where the downloaded file is located.
Extract the contents of the compressed file using the appropriate command.
Follow the instructions provided in the extracted files to install ventoy on your Linux system.

Step 2: Create a bootable USB drive

Now that you have downloaded and installed Ventoy on your computer, it’s time to create a bootable USB drive.

1. Connect the USB drive to your computer. Make sure it has enough storage space to accommodate the operating system you want to install.

2. Open Ventoy on your computer. You will see a list of available USB drives.

3. Select the USB drive you want to use for creating the bootable drive. Make sure you choose the correct one, as all data on the drive will be erased during the process.

4. Click on the “Install” button. Ventoy will format the USB drive and install the necessary boot files.

5. Once the installation process is complete, you can copy the ISO files of the operating systems you want to install onto the USB drive. Simply drag and drop the ISO files into the Ventoy drive.

6. Your bootable USB drive is now ready to use. You can disconnect it from your computer and use it to install operating systems on other computers.

Creating a bootable USB drive with Ventoy is quick and easy. It allows you to have multiple operating systems on a single USB drive, making it a versatile tool for software testing, troubleshooting, and system recovery.

Step 3: Configure ventoy

Once you have successfully installed ventoy on your USB drive and added ISO images to it, you may need to configure some settings to optimize its performance.

To configure ventoy, you need to create a file called ventoy.json in the root directory of your USB drive. This file should contain a JSON object that specifies various options for ventoy.

Here are some of the options you can configure:

control_timeout: Sets the time (in seconds) that the ventoy boot menu will be displayed. After this time, ventoy will automatically boot the default ISO image.
auto_update: When set to true, ventoy will automatically check for updates and update itself if a new version is available.
theme: Specifies the theme to use for the ventoy boot menu. You can choose from the built-in themes or create your own custom theme.
default_menu_mode: Sets the default menu mode for the ventoy boot menu. You can choose from simple mode, full mode, or classic mode.

Step 4: Add ISO files to ventoy

To make use of ventoy, you need to add ISO files to the ventoy drive. Follow the steps below to add ISO files:

Connect the ventoy drive to your computer: Plug in the ventoy USB drive to an available USB port on your computer.
Find the ventoy drive: Open the file explorer on your computer and navigate to the ventoy drive. It should be listed as a removable storage device.
Create an ISO directory: Inside the ventoy drive, create a new directory and name it “ISO”. This is where you will place your ISO files.
Download or copy ISO files: Download the desired ISO files to your computer or copy them from an existing location. Make sure to choose ISO files compatible with your specific needs.
Copy ISO files to the “ISO” directory: Open the previously created “ISO” directory inside the ventoy drive and copy the downloaded or copied ISO files into this directory. You can add multiple ISO files to the “ISO” directory.
Eject the ventoy drive: Safely eject the ventoy drive from your computer. This ensures that the ISO files are properly saved and ready for use.

Now that you have added ISO files to the ventoy drive, you can boot from it and select the desired ISO file for installation or use. Ventoy will detect and display all the available ISO files, allowing you to choose the one you want to use.

Step 5: Boot from ventoy USB drive

After creating a Ventoy USB drive with your desired ISO files, you can now boot your computer from the USB drive and start using Ventoy. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Connect the Ventoy USB drive to the computer you want to boot from.

2. Restart the computer and access the boot menu during the startup process. The key to access the boot menu differs depending on the computer’s manufacturer, but it is often one of the function keys (F8, F10, F12) or the ESC key. Refer to your computer’s documentation or manufacturer’s website for more specific instructions.

3. In the boot menu, choose the Ventoy USB drive as the device to boot from. It may be listed as the USB device or the name you assigned to your Ventoy USB drive.

4. Press Enter to confirm your selection and the computer will start booting from the Ventoy USB drive.

5. Once the computer has booted from the Ventoy USB drive, you will see the Ventoy boot menu with a list of ISO files available on the drive.

6. Select the desired ISO file from the menu using the arrow keys, and press Enter to start booting into the selected operating system or tool.

Note: If you want to change the default boot option or customize the boot menu, you can do so by modifying the Ventoy configuration file on the USB drive using a text editor.

That’s it! You have successfully booted from the Ventoy USB drive. Enjoy the convenience of having multiple ISO files on a single USB drive.

Step 6: Troubleshooting ventoy

If you’re encountering any issues while using ventoy, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check your USB drive:

Make sure your USB drive is in good condition. Try using a different USB drive and see if the issue persists.

2. Verify the ISO files:

Ensure that the ISO files you are trying to boot from are not corrupted. You can do so by checking the checksum of the ISO files and comparing it with the official checksum provided by the file’s source.

3. Ensure proper BIOS/UEFI settings:

Make sure your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings are configured correctly. Check if the USB drive is set as the primary boot device and enable any necessary settings to allow booting from external devices.

4. Disable Secure Boot:

If your computer has Secure Boot enabled, try disabling it and see if that resolves the issue. Secure Boot can sometimes prevent the booting of non-signed operating systems or utilities.

5. Update your computer’s firmware:

Make sure you have the latest firmware updates for your computer. Check the manufacturer’s website for any available updates and install them if necessary.

6. Seek support from the ventoy community:

If the issue persists, you can seek help from the ventoy community. Visit the ventoy website or forums for assistance, where you can ask questions and receive guidance from experienced users.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve any issues you encounter while using ventoy and ensure a smooth and successful experience.

Harrison Clayton

Meet Harrison Clayton, a distinguished author and home remodeling enthusiast whose expertise in the realm of renovation is second to none. With a passion for transforming houses into inviting homes, Harrison's writing at https://thehuts-eastbourne.co.uk/ brings a breath of fresh inspiration to the world of home improvement. Whether you're looking to revamp a small corner of your abode or embark on a complete home transformation, Harrison's articles provide the essential expertise and creative flair to turn your visions into reality. So, dive into the captivating world of home remodeling with Harrison Clayton and unlock the full potential of your living space with every word he writes.