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  Windows Bootable USB Using Ventoy 2025: A Comprehensive Guide on Linux Mint

  How to Create a Windows Bootable USB Using Ventoy on Linux Mint

  Creating a bootable USB for Windows installation is straightforward with Ventoy on Linux Mint. Ventoy is a versatile, open-source tool that allows you to create a multi-boot USB drive with ease. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to help you set up a Windows bootable USB using Ventoy on Linux Mint, perfect for beginners and advanced users alike.

  What is Ventoy?

  Ventoy is a free tool that simplifies creating bootable USB drives. Unlike traditional methods, Ventoy allows you to copy multiple ISO files to a single USB drive, making it ideal for installing Windows, Linux, or other operating systems. It supports both UEFI and Legacy BIOS, ensuring compatibility with modern and older systems.

  Prerequisites

  Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • A USB drive (8GB or larger recommended).
  • A Windows ISO file (download from Microsoft’s official website).
  • A computer running Linux Mint.
  • Administrative (sudo) access in the terminal.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Windows Bootable USB with Ventoy

✅ Step 1: Download and Install Ventoy on Linux Mint

1. Open the Terminal:
   • Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal in Linux Mint.
2. Download Ventoy:
   • Visit the official Ventoy GitHub page ( https://github.com/ventoy/Ventoy/releases) to find the latest release.
   • Use wget to download the Linux version. For example:
     Bash

     📋▶

     wget https://github.com/ventoy/Ventoy/releases/download/v1.0.99/ventoy-1.0.99-linux.tar.gz

3. Extract the Downloaded File:
   • Extract the tarball using:
     Bash

     📋▶

     tar -xvf ventoy-1.0.99-linux.tar.gz

4. Navigate to the Ventoy Directory:
   • Move to the extracted folder:
     Bash

     📋▶

     cd ventoy-1.0.99

✅ Step 2: Prepare Your USB Drive

1. Insert the USB Drive:
   • Plug in your USB drive. Ensure it has no critical data, as it will be formatted.
2. Identify the USB Device:
   • Run the following command to list connected drives:
     Bash

     📋▶

     lsblk

   • Identify your USB drive (e.g., /dev/sdb). Double-check the device name to avoid erasing the wrong drive.
3. Unmount the USB Drive:
   • If the USB is auto-mounted, unmount it:
     Bash

     📋▶

     sudo umount /media/your_linux_username/your_usb_devicename

     Replace your_linux_username with your linux user name, Replace your_usb_devicename with your USB’s device name.

✅ Step 3: Install Ventoy on the USB Drive

1. Run the Ventoy Installation Script:
   • Execute the following command to install Ventoy:
     Bash

     📋▶

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

     Replace sdX with your USB’s device name in the text line that is shown in Step 2.2. This command formats the USB and installs Ventoy, creating two partitions: one for the bootloader and one for ISO storage.
2. Confirm Installation:
   • Ventoy will display a success message once installed. The USB is now ready to store ISO files.

Note: This process erases all data on the USB. Back up any important files beforehand.

✅ Step 4: Copy the Windows ISO to the USB

1. Download a Windows ISO:
   • Obtain a legitimate Windows ISO from Microsoft’s official website (https://www.microsoft.com/software-download).
2. Mount the USB’s Data Partition:
   • After installing Ventoy, the USB’s data partition (often labeled Ventoy) will be accessible.
   • Open your file manager or mount it manually.
3. Copy the ISO File:
   • Copy the Windows ISO to the USB’s data partition:
     Bash

     📋▶

     cp /path/to/windows.iso /media/your_linux_username/Ventoy/

     Replace /path/to/windows.iso with the ISO’s location and /media/your_linux_username/Ventoy/ with the USB’s mount point.

✅ Step 5: Boot from the USB Drive

1. Eject the USB Safely:
   • Unmount and eject the USB:
     Bash

     📋▶

     sudo eject /dev/sdX

2. Configure BIOS/UEFI:
   • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, Del, or Esc during boot).
   • Set the USB as the first boot device.
   • Enable UEFI mode for modern Windows versions or Legacy mode for older systems, depending on your ISO.
3. Boot and Install Windows:
   • Save BIOS/UEFI settings and reboot.
   • Ventoy’s boot menu will display the Windows ISO. Select it to start the Windows installation process.

Troubleshooting Tips

• USB Not Booting?
  • Verify the ISO file’s integrity using a checksum tool.
  • Ensure Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS/UEFI if needed.
  • Confirm the correct boot mode (UEFI or Legacy).
• Ventoy Installation Fails?
  • Check that you’re using the correct device name (/dev/sdX).
  • Ensure you have sudo privileges.
• Multiple ISOs:
  • Ventoy supports multiple ISOs on one USB. Simply copy additional ISOs to the data partition.

Why Use Ventoy?

• Multi-Boot Capability: Store multiple ISOs (Windows, Linux, etc.) on a single USB.
• No Reformatting Required: Add or remove ISOs without reformatting the USB.
• Cross-Platform: Works on Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Windows, and more.
• Supports UEFI and Legacy: Compatible with most systems.

Conclusion

Creating a Windows bootable USB with Ventoy on Linux Mint is a fast and flexible process. By following this guide, you can set up a reliable bootable drive in minutes, ready to install Windows or other operating systems. For more details, visit Ventoy’s official documentation at Ventoy.

Call to Action: Try Ventoy today for a hassle-free bootable USB experience! Share this guide with others or leave a comment if you need further assistance.