How To Create a Ventoy USB Drive in Linux Systems

Ventoy provides Linux users with two flexible installation methods: a modern GUI interface or the classic CLI approach. This guide explains both options clearly to help you set up Ventoy on your USB drive.

Be aware that the process will format your USB drive completely, so back up any important files before starting.

Linux GUI Method (GUI Program & WebUI)

Ventoy offers two graphical options: a native GUI program (GTK/QT) and a web-based GUI (WebUI) accessible through your browser.

Download and Extract the Linux Package

Visit the official Ventoy website or GitHub releases page to download the latest Linux archive. Extract it using your archive manager (right-click → Extract).

Open a Terminal Inside the Extracted Folder

Navigate into the extracted Ventoy folder. Right-click inside the directory and select Open in Terminal.

Option 1: The GUI Program

Execute the corresponding file, for example:

./VentoyGUI.x86_64

Configure Ventoy if needed, then install it on the USB drive.

Option 2: The WebUI

Launch the WebUI locally by running:

sudo sh VentoyWeb.sh

Enter your Linux password if prompted. The terminal will display a local URL.

Open your browser and go to http://127.0.0.1:24680. Plug in your USB drive, select it from the Device dropdown, configure optional settings, and click Install. Confirm the warnings to complete the process.

Note: You can also update or uninstall Ventoy using the Update or Clear buttons.

Accessing the WebUI Remotely

By default, the WebUI runs on localhost. To access it from another device, bind it to a specific IP and port:

sudo bash VentoyWeb.sh -H 192.168.1.17 -p 8080

Replace the IP and port with your own values. Ensure the firewall allows the chosen port. This is especially useful for managing headless Linux servers via SSH.

Note: If you don't specify a port -p 8080, Ventoy will use the default port 24680.

Linux CLI Method

If you prefer the command line or are working on a headless server, Ventoy can be installed using its shell script.

Download and Extract the Linux Package

Example commands (replace with the latest version):

wget https://github.com/ventoy/Ventoy/releases/download/v1.1.16/ventoy-1.1.16-linux.tar.gz
tar -xf ventoy-1.1.16-linux.tar.gz
rm -f ventoy-1.1.16-linux.tar.gz

Identify Your USB Drive Path

Run one of the following:

lsblk -p
sudo fdisk -l

Locate your USB drive (e.g., /dev/sdb). Be absolutely certain of the identifier to avoid erasing your system drive.

Navigate to the Ventoy Directory

cd ventoy-1.1.16

Run the Installation Script

sudo sh Ventoy2Disk.sh -i -s /dev/sdX

Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB drive path.

Available Parameters

• -i: Install Ventoy (fails if already installed).
• -I: Force install (overwrites existing installation).
• -u: Update Ventoy without losing ISO files.
• -s: Enable Secure Boot support.
• -g: Use GPT partition style (default is MBR).

Confirm with y when prompted to acknowledge data loss.

Copy Your ISO Files

After installation, Ventoy creates two partitions. Open your file manager, locate the partition named Ventoy, and copy your ISO files directly onto it.

How to Use It

Restart your computer and access the BIOS/UEFI boot menu (F12, F11, F9, F8, or Esc). Select your Ventoy USB drive.

You will see a menu listing all ISO files you added. Use the arrow keys to select and boot into your desired operating system.

By following these steps, you can set up Ventoy on Linux using either GUI or CLI methods. This ensures flexibility whether you prefer graphical tools or command-line control.

Ventoy makes managing multiple operating system ISOs simple and efficient, providing a versatile solution for Linux users.