Ventoy – The Best Multiboot USB Tool? (Review & Guide)

By /

Okay, here’s a very detailed article about Ventoy, exceeding 5000 words:

Ventoy – The Best Multiboot USB Tool? (Review & Guide)

The quest for the perfect multiboot USB solution has been a long and winding one for many IT professionals, enthusiasts, and even casual users who need to boot from different ISO images. For years, we’ve wrestled with tools that required complex configurations, constant reformatting, and often frustrating limitations. Then came Ventoy. This open-source utility has revolutionized the way we create and manage bootable USB drives, offering unparalleled simplicity and flexibility. But is it truly the best multiboot USB tool? This in-depth review and guide will explore Ventoy’s features, advantages, limitations, and practical usage, ultimately answering that question.

1. What is Ventoy?

At its core, Ventoy is a remarkably simple yet powerful tool that allows you to create a multiboot USB drive by simply copying ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files onto it. Unlike traditional multiboot tools that require extracting ISO contents or using complex configuration files, Ventoy takes a radically different approach. It creates a small, persistent partition on your USB drive and then presents a boot menu (powered by GRUB2) whenever you boot from the drive. This menu dynamically lists all the compatible files found on the main data partition, allowing you to select and boot directly into the chosen operating system, rescue environment, or utility.

The brilliance of Ventoy lies in its elegant simplicity. There’s no need to repeatedly format your USB drive. You don’t need to extract ISO files, which saves time and disk space. You simply copy your desired files onto the drive, and Ventoy handles the rest. This drag-and-drop functionality is a game-changer, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

2. Key Features and Advantages:

Ventoy’s popularity isn’t just due to its simplicity; it’s packed with features that make it a compelling choice:

  • Drag-and-Drop Booting: This is the defining feature. Copy ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files directly to the USB drive, and Ventoy automatically adds them to the boot menu. No extraction, no configuration, just pure simplicity.
  • Wide File Support: Ventoy supports a vast range of file types, including:
    • ISO: The most common format for operating system installation images (Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.).
    • WIM: Windows Imaging Format, used for Windows deployment and recovery.
    • IMG: Raw disk images, often used for embedded systems and virtual machines.
    • VHD(x): Virtual Hard Disk files, used by Hyper-V and other virtualization platforms.
    • EFI: Executable files for UEFI systems.
  • Persistence Support (Optional): Ventoy allows you to create a persistent data partition on your USB drive. This is crucial for Linux distributions that support persistence, allowing you to save changes and settings made within the live environment.
  • UEFI and Legacy BIOS Support: Ventoy seamlessly supports both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot modes, making it compatible with a wide range of hardware. It automatically detects the system’s boot mode and presents the appropriate menu.
  • Secure Boot Support (with caveats): Ventoy can work with Secure Boot enabled systems, although it often requires some extra configuration and may not be compatible with all systems out of the box. This is a constantly evolving area, and Ventoy’s developers are actively working to improve Secure Boot compatibility.
  • Large File Support (>4GB): Ventoy has no problem handling large ISO files, even those exceeding the 4GB limit of FAT32 filesystems. It intelligently handles the file system and partitioning to ensure compatibility.
  • Multiple Partition Styles (MBR and GPT): Ventoy supports both MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) partition styles, giving you flexibility in how you format your USB drive.
  • Boot Menu Customization: Ventoy offers a surprising level of customization for its boot menu. You can change the theme, add custom backgrounds, and even create custom menu entries.
  • Directly Boot from ISO Files: Ventoy doesn’t extract the ISO files; it boots directly from them. This saves significant time and disk space compared to traditional methods.
  • “Ventoy in ISO” Mode: You can create an ISO image of your Ventoy USB drive, which can then be burned to a CD/DVD or used in a virtual machine. This is useful for testing or for creating backups.
  • Plugin Architecture: Ventoy’s plugin architecture allows for extending its functionality. Plugins can add support for new file types, customize the boot menu, and provide other advanced features.
  • Cross-Platform: While Ventoy itself runs on Windows and Linux, the bootable USB drives it creates can boot on any system that supports USB booting (Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.).
  • Open Source and Actively Developed: Ventoy is open-source software, meaning its code is publicly available and can be inspected and modified by anyone. It also benefits from an active development community, ensuring continuous improvements and bug fixes.
  • Injection of Files at Runtime: Allows injecting files to the runtime environment of the booted OS. This is particularly useful for automating installations or configurations.
  • Memdisk Mode: For some legacy ISOs that are not well supported, Ventoy provides a Memdisk mode, which loads the whole ISO file into memory before booting.
  • Wimboot Mode: Specialized mode for booting WIM files, offering optimized performance and compatibility.
  • Multi-language Support: Ventoy’s interface and boot menu are available in multiple languages.
  • Automated Installation Support: With configuration files, you can automate the installation process of some operating systems.
  • No Extraction of Files: Ventoy directly boots the images, saving space and time, and preserving the original file integrity.
  • Checksum Verification (Optional): You can configure Ventoy to verify the checksum of the ISO files before booting, ensuring data integrity.

3. Limitations and Considerations:

While Ventoy is incredibly powerful and versatile, it’s not without its limitations:

  • Secure Boot Complexity: While Ventoy can work with Secure Boot, it’s not always straightforward. You may need to manually enroll Ventoy’s keys in your system’s firmware, and compatibility can vary depending on the specific hardware and firmware implementation. This is a common challenge for all multiboot tools, not just Ventoy.
  • Compatibility with Specific ISOs: While Ventoy supports a vast majority of ISO files, there are always exceptions. Some very specialized or customized ISO images may not boot correctly. This is often due to how the ISO itself is structured, rather than a flaw in Ventoy. The Memdisk mode can often help with these cases.
  • Plugin Dependency: While the plugin system is a strength, relying heavily on plugins can introduce instability or compatibility issues if the plugins are not well-maintained.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While the basic functionality of Ventoy is extremely user-friendly, mastering its advanced features (like custom themes, plugins, and injection files) requires some technical knowledge and effort.
  • Potential for Data Loss (if misused): Like any tool that modifies partitions, there’s a risk of data loss if Ventoy is used incorrectly. It’s crucial to back up any important data on your USB drive before using Ventoy.
  • Antivirus False Positives: Some antivirus programs may flag Ventoy or its components as potentially unwanted software (PUA) or even malware. This is usually a false positive due to the nature of Ventoy’s low-level disk access. It’s generally safe to whitelist Ventoy in your antivirus software.
  • Requires a Dedicated USB Drive: Ventoy takes over the entire USB drive. You can’t use the remaining space for other files in the traditional sense, although the second partition created by Ventoy can be used for storing the ISOs and other supported files.

4. Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Ventoy Multiboot USB Drive

This section provides a detailed guide on how to create and use a Ventoy multiboot USB drive.

4.1. Preparation:

  • Download Ventoy: Download the latest version of Ventoy from the official website: https://www.ventoy.net/
    • Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows or Linux).
    • For Windows, you’ll typically download a ZIP archive.
    • For Linux, you’ll typically download a tar.gz archive.
  • USB Drive: Obtain a USB drive with sufficient capacity to store all the ISO files you want to use. A 16GB drive is a good starting point, but larger drives (32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or even larger) are recommended if you plan to store many operating system images.
    • Important: Back up any data on the USB drive, as the process will erase all existing data.
  • ISO Files: Gather the ISO files you want to add to your multiboot USB drive. These could include:
    • Windows installation images (Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.)
    • Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Arch Linux, etc.)
    • Rescue disks (Hiren’s BootCD PE, SystemRescueCd, etc.)
    • Antivirus rescue environments
    • Other bootable utilities

4.2. Installation (Windows):

  1. Extract the Ventoy Archive: Extract the contents of the downloaded Ventoy ZIP archive to a folder on your computer.
  2. Run Ventoy2Disk.exe: Inside the extracted folder, locate the Ventoy2Disk.exe file. Right-click on it and select “Run as administrator.” This is crucial to grant Ventoy the necessary permissions to modify the USB drive’s partitions.
  3. Select Your USB Drive: In the Ventoy2Disk window, select your USB drive from the “Device” dropdown menu. Double-check that you’ve selected the correct drive, as the process will erase all data on the selected drive.
  4. Choose Partition Style (Optional): You can choose between MBR and GPT partition styles. GPT is generally recommended for newer systems (especially those with UEFI firmware), while MBR is more compatible with older systems. If you’re unsure, GPT is usually the safer choice.
  5. Secure Boot (Optional): If your system uses Secure Boot, you can check the “Secure Boot Support” option. However, be aware that this may require additional configuration steps later. It’s often easier to initially create the Ventoy drive without Secure Boot support and then enable it later if needed.
  6. Click “Install”: Once you’ve selected your USB drive and configured the options, click the “Install” button. Ventoy will warn you that all data on the drive will be erased. Confirm that you want to proceed.
  7. Wait for Completion: Ventoy will format the USB drive and install the necessary files. This process usually takes just a few seconds. Once complete, you’ll see a success message.

4.3. Installation (Linux):

  1. Extract the Archive: Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Ventoy tar.gz archive. Extract the archive using the following command:
    bash
    tar -xf ventoy-x.x.xx-linux.tar.gz
    (Replace x.x.xx with the actual version number.)
  2. Navigate to the Extracted Directory:
    bash
    cd ventoy-x.x.xx

  3. Run the Installation Script: You’ll need to run the Ventoy2Disk.sh script with root privileges. The exact command depends on your needs:

    • Basic Installation (MBR):
      bash
      sudo ./Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX
      (Replace /dev/sdX with the device name of your USB drive. Be extremely careful to select the correct device, as this will erase all data on the drive. You can use the lsblk command to list available disks and identify your USB drive.)
    • Installation with GPT:
      bash
      sudo ./Ventoy2Disk.sh -i -g /dev/sdX
    • Installation with Secure Boot Support (Experimental):
      bash
      sudo ./Ventoy2Disk.sh -i -s /dev/sdX
      Or combined:
      bash
      sudo ./Ventoy2Disk.sh -i -g -s /dev/sdX

  4. Confirm Installation: The script will ask you to confirm that you want to install Ventoy on the specified device. Type y and press Enter to proceed.

  5. Wait for Completion: The script will format the USB drive and install Ventoy. Once complete, you’ll see a success message.

4.4. Copying ISO Files:

  1. Mount the USB Drive: After installation, your USB drive should be automatically mounted. If not, mount it manually. On Windows, it will appear as a new drive letter in File Explorer. On Linux, it will typically be mounted in the /media or /mnt directory.
  2. Drag and Drop: Simply drag and drop the ISO files you want to add to your multiboot USB drive onto the main partition of the drive (the larger partition, not the small VTOYEFI partition). You can create subfolders to organize your ISO files if you wish. Ventoy will automatically detect and add these files to the boot menu.
  3. Eject (Safely Remove) the USB drive: Once done, make sure to safely remove/eject the USB drive.

4.5. Booting from the Ventoy USB Drive:

  1. Insert the USB Drive: Insert the Ventoy USB drive into the computer you want to boot.

  2. Access the Boot Menu: Restart the computer. As the computer starts, you’ll need to access the boot menu. The key to press varies depending on the computer’s manufacturer and model. Common keys include:

    • F12
    • F11
    • F10
    • F9
    • F8
    • F2
    • Esc
    • Del
    • Ins

    Consult your computer’s documentation or the manufacturer’s website to find the correct key.
    3. Select the USB Drive: In the boot menu, select your USB drive. It might be listed by its brand name, “USB HDD,” “USB Storage Device,” or something similar.
    4. Ventoy Boot Menu: After selecting the USB drive, the Ventoy boot menu will appear. This menu will list all the ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files you copied to the USB drive.
    5. Select an Image: Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu and select the operating system or utility you want to boot. Press Enter to start the selected image.
    6. Boot Process: The selected system will start booting just like it would from a regular installation CD/DVD or USB drive.

5. Advanced Ventoy Configuration and Usage:

Ventoy offers a range of advanced features that can enhance its functionality and customize its behavior.

5.1. Persistence:

Persistence allows you to save changes made within a live Linux environment. This is particularly useful for testing, troubleshooting, or using a live Linux distribution as a portable operating system.

  • Creating a Persistent File: Ventoy doesn’t automatically create persistent files. You need to create them manually. The process varies slightly depending on the Linux distribution. Ventoy’s documentation provides detailed instructions for creating persistent files for various distributions: https://www.ventoy.net/en/plugin_persistence.html

    Generally, you’ll need to:

    1. Create an empty file with a specific name and extension (e.g., casper-rw for Ubuntu-based distributions, persistence.img for others). The filename must be all lowercase.
    2. Format the file with a supported filesystem (e.g., ext2, ext3, ext4).
    3. Optionally, create a configuration file (e.g., persistence.conf) to specify mount options.
    4. Place the persistent file and configuration files (if needed) into a /ventoy directory on your main partition.
    5. Create a ventoy.json file in the /ventoy directory (if one doesn’t exist), and configure persistence within it, specifying the image and corresponding persistence file.

  • Example ventoy.json for Persistence:

“`json
{
“persistence”: [
{
“image”: “/ubuntu-22.04-desktop-amd64.iso”,
“backend”: “/ventoy/casper-rw”
},
{
“image”: “/linuxmint-21-cinnamon-64bit.iso”,
“backend”: “/ventoy/persistence.img”,
“autosize”: “5g”
}

    ]
}
```
* The `image` field is the relative path to the ISO file.
* The `backend` field specifies the persistent file.
* `autosize`: This option allows Ventoy to automatically resize the persistence file.

5.2. Ventoy Plug-ins:
Ventoy’s plugin system is a powerful way to add support for extra filetypes and custom configurations.

5.3. ventoy.json Configuration:

The ventoy.json file, located in the /ventoy directory on your USB drive, is the central configuration file for Ventoy. It allows you to control various aspects of Ventoy’s behavior, including:

  • Global Control Plugin: This section controls global settings for Ventoy.
    json
    {
    "control": [
    { "VTOY_DEFAULT_MENU_MODE": "0" },
    { "VTOY_DEFAULT_SEARCH_ROOT": "/ISO" },
    { "VTOY_DEFAULT_IMAGE": "/ISO/linuxmint-21-cinnamon-64bit.iso" },
    { "VTOY_TIMEOUT": "10" },
    { "VTOY_MENU_LANGUAGE" : "zh_CN" }
    ]
    }

    • VTOY_DEFAULT_MENU_MODE: Sets the default menu mode (0 for list view, 1 for tree view).
    • VTOY_DEFAULT_SEARCH_ROOT: Specifies the default directory to search for ISO files.
    • VTOY_DEFAULT_IMAGE: Defines a default image to boot.
    • VTOY_TIMEOUT: Set the timeout in seconds for the menu.
    • VTOY_MENU_LANGUAGE: Set the menu language.

  • Theme Plugin Configuration:
    json
    {
    "theme": {
    "file": "/ventoy/themes/mytheme/theme.txt",
    "gfxmode": "1920x1080",
    "display_mode": "GUI",
    "serial_param": "--unit=0 --speed=115200",
    "ventoy_left": "5%",
    "ventoy_top": "95%",
    "ventoy_color": "#0000FF"
    }
    }

  • Other Plugin Configurations: The ventoy.json file is also used to configure other plugins, as described in the plugin documentation.

5.4. Secure Boot:

Enabling Secure Boot support for Ventoy can be a bit more involved. The exact steps depend on your system’s firmware. Here’s a general overview:

  1. Create Ventoy with Secure Boot Support: When installing Ventoy, make sure to select the “Secure Boot Support” option (in Ventoy2Disk.exe on Windows or using the -s option with Ventoy2Disk.sh on Linux).
  2. Boot from the USB Drive: Boot your computer from the Ventoy USB drive.
  3. Enroll the Key: When you boot, you’ll likely see a Secure Boot violation error. Your system’s firmware will typically provide an option to enroll a key or certificate. The exact wording and process vary significantly between different firmware implementations. You’ll need to navigate through the firmware menus to find the option to enroll the Ventoy key. The key is typically located in the VTOYEFI partition of the USB drive, in a file named EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI or similar.
  4. Restart: After enrolling the key, restart your computer. Ventoy should now boot without any Secure Boot errors.

If you encounter difficulties, consult Ventoy’s documentation and your system’s firmware documentation for more specific instructions. The Ventoy forums and community are also excellent resources for troubleshooting Secure Boot issues.

5.5. Updating Ventoy:

Updating Ventoy is straightforward:

  1. Download the Latest Version: Download the latest version of Ventoy from the official website.
  2. Run Ventoy2Disk: Run Ventoy2Disk.exe (Windows) or Ventoy2Disk.sh (Linux) as administrator/root.
  3. Select Your USB Drive: Select your Ventoy USB drive.
  4. Click “Update”: Instead of clicking “Install,” click the “Update” button. Ventoy will update the necessary files on your USB drive without erasing your ISO files. It’s still a good idea to back up your ISO files before updating, just in case.

5.6. Troubleshooting:

  • ISO Doesn’t Boot:
    • Check ISO Integrity: Verify the checksum of the ISO file to ensure it wasn’t corrupted during download.
    • Try Memdisk Mode: If the ISO is particularly old or uses a non-standard boot process, try enabling Memdisk mode for that specific ISO in the ventoy.json file.
      json
      {
      "memdisk_mode": [
      {
      "image": "/path/to/problematic.iso"
      }
      ]
      }
    • Check for Compatibility Issues: Consult Ventoy’s documentation and forums to see if there are any known compatibility issues with the specific ISO.
    • Try a Different USB Drive: In rare cases, a faulty USB drive can cause boot problems.
  • Ventoy Menu Doesn’t Appear:
    • Check Boot Order: Make sure your computer is configured to boot from USB drives in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
    • Try a Different USB Port: Some computers have compatibility issues with certain USB ports.
    • Reinstall Ventoy: If all else fails, try reinstalling Ventoy on the USB drive.
  • Persistence Not Working:
    • Check Filenames: Make sure that the persistence file and Ventoy configuration are named correctly, and all lowercase.
    • Check Filesystem: Verify that the persistence file is formatted with a supported filesystem (ext2, ext3, or ext4 are commonly used).
    • Check ventoy.json: Double-check the ventoy.json configuration to ensure the persistence settings are correct.
    • Distribution-Specific Instructions: Refer to Ventoy’s documentation for the specific Linux distribution you’re using, as there may be distribution-specific requirements for persistence.
  • Secure Boot Problems:
    • Enroll Keys Correctly: Ensure you’ve enrolled Ventoy’s keys correctly in your system’s firmware. The process varies significantly between different firmware implementations.
    • Disable Secure Boot (Temporarily): If you’re having trouble, you can temporarily disable Secure Boot in your system’s firmware to test if that resolves the issue. You can then try to re-enable Secure Boot and enroll the keys again.
    • Consult Documentation: Check Ventoy’s documentation and your system’s firmware documentation for specific instructions on Secure Boot.

6. Ventoy vs. Other Multiboot Tools:

Several other multiboot USB tools exist, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a comparison of Ventoy with some popular alternatives:

  • Rufus: Rufus is a popular tool for creating bootable USB drives, primarily for single ISO images. While it can create multiboot drives using Syslinux, it’s much more complex to set up than Ventoy. Rufus excels at creating bootable drives from a single ISO with high speed and reliability, but Ventoy is significantly easier to use for multiboot purposes.

  • YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Installer): YUMI is another popular multiboot tool. It uses a different approach than Ventoy, extracting the contents of ISO files to create the bootable drive. This can be slower and more space-consuming than Ventoy’s direct booting method. YUMI also has a more complex configuration process.

  • Easy2Boot: Easy2Boot is a powerful and highly configurable multiboot tool. It offers a wide range of features and supports a vast number of operating systems and utilities. However, it has a steep learning curve and is considerably more complex to use than Ventoy. Easy2Boot is geared towards advanced users who need fine-grained control over the boot process.

  • MultiBootUSB: MultiBootUSB is a cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS) multiboot tool. It’s relatively easy to use, but it’s not as feature-rich or as actively developed as Ventoy.

  • XBoot: XBoot is another multiboot tool that allows you to create multiboot USB drives or ISO images. It has a user-friendly interface, but it’s not as versatile or as widely supported as Ventoy.

Summary Table:

| Feature | Ventoy | Rufus | YUMI | Easy2Boot | MultiBootUSB | XBoot |
| ——————— | —————————————– | —————————————— | —————————————— | ——————————————- | —————————————— | —————————————— |
| Ease of Use | Very Easy | Easy (for single ISO), Complex (multiboot) | Moderate | Complex | Moderate | Moderate |
| Multiboot Method | Direct ISO Booting | Syslinux (complex) | ISO Extraction | Complex Configuration Files | ISO Extraction/Direct (limited) | ISO Extraction |
| File Support | ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), EFI | Primarily ISO | Wide Range | Very Wide Range | Moderate Range | Moderate Range |
| Persistence Support | Yes (with configuration) | Limited (with Syslinux) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Boot Support | Yes (with caveats) | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Cross-Platform | Windows, Linux | Windows | Windows | Windows | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Active Development | Yes | Yes | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Less Active |
| Speed | Fast (direct booting) | Fast (single ISO) | Slower (extraction) | Varies (depends on configuration) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Customization | High (themes, plugins, ventoy.json) | Limited | Moderate | Very High | Limited | Moderate |

7. Real-World Use Cases:

Ventoy’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of scenarios:

  • IT Professionals:

    • System Recovery: Create a single USB drive containing various rescue environments (Hiren’s BootCD PE, SystemRescueCd, etc.) to troubleshoot and repair computers.
    • Operating System Deployment: Carry multiple Windows and Linux installation images on a single drive for easy deployment on different machines.
    • Network Booting (PXE): Ventoy can be used in conjunction with a PXE server to network boot multiple operating systems.
    • Testing and Evaluation: Quickly test different Linux distributions or software without having to repeatedly format a USB drive.

  • Computer Enthusiasts:

    • Distro Hopping: Easily try out different Linux distributions without the hassle of creating separate bootable drives for each one.
    • Portable Operating System: Create a persistent Linux environment on a USB drive and use it as a portable operating system on different computers.
    • Custom Boot Menu: Create a personalized boot menu with custom themes and backgrounds.
    • Experimentation: A safe environment for experimenting with bootloaders, operating systems, and other low-level system tools.

  • Educators/Students:

    • Distributing Course Materials: Distribute operating system images and other bootable software to students on a single USB drive.
    • Computer Labs: Provide a convenient way for students to access different operating systems and tools in a computer lab environment.
    • Projects/Assignments: Students can use Ventoy to create bootable drives for projects or assignments that require working with different operating systems.

  • General Users:

    • Windows Reinstallation: Create a bootable USB drive for reinstalling Windows in case of system failure.
    • Data Recovery: Use rescue disks to recover data from a crashed computer.
    • Bootable Antivirus: Create a bootable antivirus environment to scan and remove malware from an infected system.

8. Ventoy and PXE Booting:

Ventoy can be integrated into a PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) network booting setup. This allows you to boot computers over the network from a Ventoy image stored on a server, eliminating the need for physical USB drives.

  • Ventoy’s iVentoy: iVentoy is a separate, commercially licensed product from the Ventoy developer specifically designed for PXE booting. It offers a user-friendly interface and simplifies the process of setting up a PXE server with Ventoy.
  • Manual PXE Configuration: It’s also possible to manually configure a PXE server to use Ventoy, although this requires more technical expertise. You’ll need to configure a DHCP server and a TFTP server, and you’ll need to extract the necessary files from the Ventoy ISO image.

9. The Future of Ventoy:

Ventoy is a constantly evolving project. The developers are actively working on adding new features, improving compatibility, and addressing user feedback. Some areas of ongoing development include:

  • Improved Secure Boot Support: Making Secure Boot support more seamless and reliable across a wider range of hardware.
  • Enhanced Plugin System: Expanding the capabilities of the plugin system to allow for even greater customization and functionality.
  • GUI Improvements: Making Ventoy’s user interface more intuitive and user-friendly.
  • Increased OS Compatibility: Continuously improving the out-of-box compatibility of Ventoy with a wider range of operating systems.

10. Beyond the Basics: Tips and Tricks

  • Organize Your ISO Files: Create subfolders on your Ventoy USB drive to organize your ISO files by category (e.g., “Windows,” “Linux,” “Rescue”). This makes it easier to find the image you need in the Ventoy boot menu.
  • Use Descriptive Filenames: Give your ISO files descriptive filenames that clearly indicate their contents. This helps you identify them quickly in the Ventoy menu.
  • Test Your ISO Files: After copying ISO files to your Ventoy drive, it’s a good idea to test them to make sure they boot correctly.
  • Keep Ventoy Updated: Regularly update Ventoy to the latest version to benefit from bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
  • Explore the ventoy.json File: Take some time to explore the ventoy.json file and learn about the various configuration options available.
  • Use a High-Quality USB Drive: Use a reliable, high-quality USB drive to ensure optimal performance and data integrity. Avoid cheap, low-quality drives, as they can be prone to errors.
  • Back Up Your Data: Always back up your data! Although Ventoy is generally safe, it’s always a good idea to have a backup.
  • Check for Updates to ISOs: Periodically check for updated versions of the ISO files on your drive.
  • Explore Ventoy’s Community: Join the Ventoy forums and community to get help, share tips, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments.

11. Ventoy for Specific Distributions

While Ventoy works generally well across distributions, there are some nuances to be aware of:

  • Ubuntu (and derivatives like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS): Persistence is typically achieved using the casper-rw file. Make sure to label the partition correctly (ext2/3/4).
  • Debian: Persistence can be achieved with a live-rw or persistence file, and may require a persistence.conf file.
  • Fedora: Fedora uses a different persistence mechanism, typically an overlay file.
  • Arch Linux: Arch Linux typically does not use persistence in the same way as Debian-based distributions. You would typically install Arch Linux to the USB drive itself if you want a persistent setup.
  • Kali Linux: Uses a persistence.img file and a configuration in live.cfg.
  • Windows PE (Hiren’s BootCD PE, etc.): These typically boot directly without any special configuration.

12. Deep Dive into ventoy.json Examples

Here are some more complex ventoy.json examples demonstrating various features:

  • Custom Theme with Background Image and Font:

    “`json
    {
    “control”: [
    { “VTOY_DEFAULT_MENU_MODE

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top