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

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.