Ventoy allows you to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive by simply copying the ISO file onto the stick after installing the Ventoy plugin. Unlike traditional tools that format the drive for a single image, Ventoy uses a multi-boot approach where the USB remains usable for other files. This guide explains how to prepare your drive and deploy the necessary components to start your installation.
Prerequisites and Preparation
Before beginning the installation process, ensure you have a reliable USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity. It is critical to understand that the entire contents of this drive will be erased during the Ventoy installation process. Therefore, back up any important data stored on the USB stick before proceeding. You will also need the official Windows 10 ISO file downloaded from Microsoft’s website or a trusted source. Additionally, download the latest version of Ventoy from its official GitHub repository or website. The software is available for both Windows and Linux environments, but the initial setup steps are most commonly performed on a Windows host machine.Installing Ventoy on the USB Drive
The core functionality of Ventoy relies on installing a bootloader onto the USB device. This step transforms the standard flash drive into a multi-boot capable medium.- Run the Installer: Extract the downloaded Ventoy archive and run the executable appropriate for your operating system. On Windows, launch
Ventoy2Disk.exe. If you are using Linux, you may use the provided shell script with sudo privileges. - Select the Target Device: In the main interface, locate the dropdown menu labeled "Device". Select your USB flash drive from the list. Double-check the drive letter and capacity to ensure you do not accidentally select your primary hard drive or SSD.
- Configure Options: By default, Ventoy installs in MBR mode. For modern systems supporting UEFI, it is often recommended to install in GPT mode if your motherboard supports it. However, MBR provides broader compatibility with older hardware. You can choose either mode based on your target computer's BIOS settings.
- Execute Installation: Click the "Install" button. A warning dialog will appear stating that all data on the selected disk will be lost. Confirm this action to proceed. The installer will then partition the drive, write the boot sector, and create a FAT32 partition that Ventoy uses to store ISO files.
Coplying the Windows 10 ISO File
After the initial setup, the process becomes remarkably simple compared to tools like Rufus or Media Creation Tool. You do not need to extract the ISO file or burn it to the disc in a traditional sense. Instead, treat the USB drive as a regular external storage device. Open your file explorer and navigate to the newly created data partition on the Ventoy USB drive. Copy the Windows 10 ISO file directly into this root directory. You can drag and drop the file or use copy-paste commands. Ensure the ISO file is fully copied before removing the drive. Because Ventoy handles the booting logic via its GRUB-based menu, it does not matter if the ISO is large; it will stream the boot data directly from the file. You can also add multiple ISOs to the same drive. For example, you might keep Windows 10, Windows 11, and various Linux distributions on the same stick. Each time you plug the USB into a computer and boot from it, Ventoy presents a menu listing all available ISOs found on the drive.Booting and Installing Windows 10
With the ISO file copied to the drive, you are ready to perform the actual installation. Insert the Ventoy USB drive into the target computer. Restart the machine and access the Boot Menu. This is typically done by pressing a specific key during startup, such as F12, F10, Esc, or Del, depending on the manufacturer. Select the USB drive from the boot options. The system will load the Ventoy bootloader interface. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Windows 10 ISO file you copied earlier and press Enter. The computer will boot from the ISO file as if it were a physical DVD. The standard Windows Setup wizard will appear, allowing you to choose language, edition, and installation type. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. For more information on preserving your personal files during this process, refer to our guide on Keep Old User Data During a New Windows 10 Install: A Tech Support Guide.Troubleshooting Common Issues
If the computer fails to boot from the USB, verify that Secure Boot is disabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings, as some versions of Ventoy may require this to function correctly. Additionally, ensure that Legacy/CSM boot support is enabled if you installed Ventoy in MBR mode on an older system. If the USB is not detected at all, try using a different USB port, preferably a USB 2.0 port if available, as some systems have compatibility issues with USB 3.0 controllers during early boot stages. For users attempting to install Windows on older hardware with NVMe drives, note that standard Windows 10 ISOs may lack native NVMe drivers. In such cases, consider specialized guides like Installing Windows 10 on an Old PC with NVMe Drive, No BIOS Modification or External USB Required for advanced workarounds.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Ventoy on a Mac?
Yes, Ventoy supports macOS for both installation and usage. You can run the Ventoy installer on a Mac to set up the USB drive, and then use the same drive to boot Windows or Linux on Intel or Apple Silicon Macs. Note that Apple Silicon (M1/M2) may require additional configuration for certain operating systems.
Does Ventoy work with Windows 11?
Absolutely. Ventoy is fully compatible with Windows 11 ISO files. Simply copy the Windows 11 ISO to the USB drive alongside or instead of the Windows 10 ISO. The boot menu will list both options, allowing you to switch between them easily.
Is it safe to delete the ISO after installation?
No, you should keep the ISO file on the USB drive unless you no longer need to reinstall the operating system. Ventoy boots directly from the ISO file, so deleting it will remove the option to boot that specific OS from the menu. You can delete it to free up space if you plan to add other ISOs later.
Why is my USB drive slow when copying large ISOs?
The speed depends entirely on the read/write speeds of your USB flash drive and the USB port used. Using a USB 3.0 or higher port and a high-speed flash drive will significantly reduce copy times. Standard USB 2.0 drives can take a very long time to copy multi-gigabyte ISO files.
Can I update Ventoy without losing my ISOs?
Yes, updating Ventoy preserves the data partition. When you install a new version of Ventoy, the installer only updates the boot partition and the Ventoy binary. Your existing ISO files remain intact on the data partition, allowing you to continue using them immediately after the update.