How to Boot Multiple Operating Systems From One USB Drive

When it comes to installing an operating system from scratch, users have the option to burn it onto a flash drive, then boot into it to begin the installation. However, if you decide to install a different OS, you must format the drive, then burn a new one. This process can be tedious, not to mention time-wasting. But if you use Ventoy, an open-source solution, you can instantly access several installations, even without burning or extracting them.

Good to know: need to check whether a USB drive is bootable in Windows? We show you how.

First, you will need to acquire the ISO files for the operating systems you want to boot. You can download the ISO files from the official vendor website. For example, you can download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft and the Ubuntu ISO file from Ubuntu's website.

Note: Ventoy supports WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files, too – not just ISOs.

Tip: you can use Command Prompt to create a Windows USB Installer. We demonstrate how in our guide.

Tip: learn how to install and use Chrome OS Flex on your Windows PC if you want some variety.

You can lock your Ventoy flash drive with a password. This will prevent unauthorized users from accessing your files without permission and installing a new OS on your PC.

Tip: having trouble finding your downloaded files on your Android device? Learn how to locate them.

A multi-installation flash drive can be built using an Android devices as well. This method can be beneficial if your computer is not accessible due to system failure. It can also be useful if you’ve just purchased a new PC or laptop.

FYI: would you like to run Android apps on Windows? Learn how to do it.

The right way to remove Ventoy from your USB drive is by launching the Ventoy2Disk app, clicking "Option" on the top bar, then selecting "Clear Ventoy."

The answer is yes. To do so, you’ll need to go through VentoyPlugson. Once you’ve launched it, click "Theme plugin" on the left and download your preferred theme from the list. You’ll need to move the theme folder to the Ventoy USB drive and add the path to the "theme.txt" file back into VentoyPlugson.

With Ventoy, you can create a multi-installation USB drive using the really simple and easy-to-understand interface. In contrast, Rufus allows you to create a bootable flash drive that contains only one OS. Note that it might be a bit harder for beginners to use, so browse through our detailed guide on how to get started.

Based on your firmware interface (UEFI or BIOS), you can choose between MBR and GPT when creating your bootable flash drive. You can do this from within Ventoy by going to "Option -> Partition style."

Check whether your PC uses UEFI or BIOS by opening Run (Win + R) and typing msinfo32, then check the "BIOS Mode" section. If your device is out of reach, search online for your motherboard model number (PC) or device model number (laptop).

Image credit: Flaticon & Pexels. All screenshots by Mustafa Ashour.

Mustafa is a tech content writer who's a geek at heart. His passion lies in writing about technology, especially software-related topics. He's also interested in digital marketing, business development, and entrepreneurship. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance.

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