How to Store Multiple ISO File in One Bootable Flash Drive

How To Store Multiple ISO File In One Bootable Flash Drive Using Ventoy

Multiboot Flash Drive

When your computer has a problem and you need to restore it, you can use a boot drive to start the restoration process. Most USB boot drives, however, can only support one operating system.

This isn’t a problem if you’re like the majority of users and only use one operating system. However, if your computer runs multiple operating systems, such as Windows and Linux, or if you own multiple devices with different operating systems, you will need a separate USB stick for each.

However, if you use a multiboot utility, you can store all of your boot drives on a single USB stick.

Creating a Multiboot Flash Drive through Ventoy

Ventoy is one of the tools available for creating a multiboot flash drive. You can get this open-source tool for free by visiting the Ventoy website or its Github page. A USB flash drive is also required to store your boot drive files.

The USB capacity will vary depending on how many operating systems you intend to install, but 32GBs should be sufficient for at least two. If you want three or more, you can choose the 64GB or 128GB capacity.

Installing Ventoy

Ventoy installation is a simple process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Open the downloaded file and unzip it.
2. Open the Ventoy2Disk.exe app inside the unzipped folder if you’re using a 32-bit or 32-bit compatible x86 processor.
3. If you have a 64-bit x86 processor, a 32-bit ARM processor, or a 64-bit ARM processor, you must go into the altexe folder, copy the relevant install file back onto the main folder, and then open it from there.
4. Select the correct removable drive where you want to install your multiboot USB from the Device dropdown menu in the Ventoy2Disk window. Important: Make sure the drive you select is empty because Ventoy will erase and format it.
5. Select the Option menu and check the box next to Secure Boot Support. To ensure that secure boot support is enabled, look for the lock icon to the left of the Ventoy In Package version number. This action digitally signs your boot drive, allowing modern, more secure systems to recognize it as valid.
6. When you’re ready, click Install to format your USB drive.
7. A Warning window will appear, asking if you want to proceed. Choose Yes.
8. The app will display another Warning window asking you to confirm whether you want to reformat the drive. Select Yes.
9. When the formatting is finished, an Info window will appear, congratulating you on a successful installation. Click the OK button.

After you finish this installation, your USB drive will be ready to accept boot drive files such as ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(X), and EFI. If you look at the Ventoy2Disk window, the Ventoy In Device version number should match the one listed under Ventoy In Package.

Putting Boot Files to Flash Drive

You can now add your boot files to the drive after installing Ventoy.

1. Navigate to the directory where you keep your boot images in File Explorer.
2. Copy the image files that you want to back up on the USB drive.
3. In the File Explorer, navigate to This PC, then to the drive where you installed Ventoy. It usually has the same name, but you can rename it to something else if you want.
4. Insert the image files into the drive.

This straightforward procedure allows you to boot multiple ISO files from a single drive. You are not limited to two, three, or even four boot drives. You can have as many as you want as long as the image files fit on your thumb drive.

Using Ventoy for the First Time

1. If your computer lacks the secure boot feature, simply plug in your USB boot drive, turn it on, enter the boot menu, and select the operating system you want to boot from.
2. However, if it has secure boot, you must first register your boot drive. These are the steps you must take to accomplish this.
3. Navigate to your computer’s BIOS and configure it to boot from USB.
4. When you get to the Perform MOK Management screen, select Enroll key from disk.
5. Select VTOYEFI or EFI from the menu that appears.
6. Another menu will appear; select ENROLL THIS KEY IN MOKMANAGER.cer from this menu.
7. Continue is the option.
8. Select Yes in the confirmation window.
9. You will then be returned to the main MOK Management menu. Select Reboot from the drop-down menu.
10. When your computer restarts, go to the boot menu and select your multiboot drive. The Ventoy boot menu will then appear, allowing you to select which boot drive to use.

References:

https://www.makeuseof.com/ventoy-create-multiboot-usb/

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