How to create a Ventoy USB drive to Boot Multiple Operating Systems

Last update: 07-26-2024

Have you ever wanted to boot multiple operating systems from a single USB flash drive? Ventoy makes this possible, offering a convenient and efficient way to manage your bootable media. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up Ventoy on your USB drive and loading it with different operating systems.

Step 1: Prepare Your USB Drive

1. Choose a Suitable USB Flash Drive

   We're going to need a USB flash drive, preferably with at least 64GB of storage capacity.

2. Ensure Your USB Drive is Ready

   Make sure your USB drive is either empty or does not contain any important data, as it will be formatted during the setup process. For example, my USB drive is labeled as the 'E' drive.

   

Step 2: Download and Install Ventoy

1. Visit the Ventoy Website

   Open your web browser and go to ventoy.net.

2. Download Ventoy

   From the Ventoy website, navigate to the 'Downloads' section and click the link to SourceForge. Since I am using Windows, I'll select the Ventoy version for Windows. Wait for 5 seconds, and the download will begin automatically.

   
3. Extract the Ventoy Files

   Once the download is complete, locate the Ventoy zip file in your 'Downloads' folder. Right-click on the file and select 'Extract All'. This will create a new folder containing the Ventoy files.

4. Run Ventoy Installation

   Inside the extracted Ventoy folder, find the executable file named "Ventoy2Disk" and run it. The drop-down list will display all available removable drives. Select your USB drive (in my case, the 'E' drive) and click "Install". A warning will appear indicating that the disk will be formatted. Confirm to proceed. The formatting takes only a few seconds, and you will receive a message indicating that Ventoy is ready.

   

Step 3: Prepare Your USB Drive with ISO Files

1. Verify the Installation

   After installation, your USB drive will be renamed to 'Ventoy'. Although it appears empty, all necessary bootable files are hidden but present.

2. Download ISO Files

   Now, you need the ISO files for the operating systems you wish to boot from. For example, you can download the Windows 11 ISO file from here. Opt for the direct download option (the third one), select the version, choose a language, and download the ISO file.

3. Copy ISO Files to Ventoy

   Once the ISO file is downloaded, copy it from your 'Downloads' folder and paste it into your 'Ventoy' folder on the USB drive.

Step 4: Boot from the USB Drive

1. Restart Your Computer

   To install an operating system, restart the computer you want to use and access the boot menu. This is usually done by pressing 'Escape', 'F2', or 'F12' during startup.

2. Select the USB Drive in Boot Menu

   Choose the USB flash drive from the boot menu. You will now see the Ventoy menu displaying the available operating systems to install.

And that's it! You've successfully created a bootable USB flash drive with Ventoy, capable of booting multiple operating systems. Enjoy the flexibility and convenience this tool offers.