Today’s lesson goal: Understand Ventoy, a tool for creating multi-ISO bootable USB drives.
Ventoy is an open-source software that simplifies the process of creating bootable USB drives. Unlike traditional methods, where each USB drive can only hold one bootable ISO image, Ventoy allows you to store multiple ISO files on a single USB drive and choose which one to boot from.
Key Features:
- Easy Setup: Install Ventoy once on your USB, and then simply copy ISO files to the USB.
- Multi-ISO Support: Store multiple ISO files (like Windows, Linux distributions, and utility tools) on one USB drive.
- No Extraction Needed: ISO files are stored in their original form without extraction.
- Compatibility: Supports both Legacy BIOS and UEFI secure boot modes.
- Wide Range of ISO Support: Works with a large number of ISO files, including operating systems, rescue CDs, and diagnostic tools.
How it Works:
- Installation: Use the Ventoy application to format your USB drive and install the Ventoy bootloader.
- Copying ISOs: Directly copy ISO files to the USB drive.
- Booting: Boot from the USB drive, and Ventoy presents a menu to select an ISO file to boot from.
Advantages:
- Convenience: Carry multiple boot environments on a single USB drive.
- Time-Saving: No need to repeatedly format or flash the USB drive for different ISOs.
- Flexibility: Easy to update or add new ISOs by simply copying them to the USB.
Use Cases:
- System Installation: Install different operating systems without needing multiple USB drives.
- System Rescue: Boot into rescue and diagnostic tools.
- Testing and Evaluation: Try out different operating systems or software without installation.
Ventoy revolutionizes the way we use bootable USB drives, making it more efficient and flexible for various needs. It’s an essential tool for IT professionals, system administrators, and anyone who frequently works with multiple operating systems or bootable tools.