Using a Single USB for Windows and Linux Mint: Is it Possible?


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ProgEngi

Active member
Local time
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109
OS
Windows 11
This question may have been answered; however, I’d appreciate explicit point-wise answers:

Scenario:
Windows (x86 & x64) all versions iso starting Win7 till now and LM21.3 64-bit Cinnamon

Questions:
  1. Is it possible to have single USB for Windows and Linux Mint? (if not – will drop LM)
  2. Tested software?
  3. Required USB capacity?
  4. Will it be possible to bypass W11 restrictions? (if not – will drop W11)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
take a look at win setup from usb

  1. Yes
  2. yes if you set up an unattended install (work with 11) and slipstream the software in the image using sysprep. Otherwise just name a folder programs on the root of the drive after using win setup from usb and dump your installers in there.
  3. I would do a minimum of 32GB and use a fast drive, usb 3.0 or better.
  4. yes

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700 X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws V
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) 2560 x 1440 @ 170hz HDR
    Hard Drives
    2TB Samsung nvme ssd
    2TB XPG nvme ssd
    PSU
    CORSAIR RMx SHIFT Series™ RM750x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    Case
    CORSAIR 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler
    Internet Speed
    900mbps DOWN, 100mbps UP
  • Operating System
    Chrome OS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Chromebook
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB LPDDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14 Inch HD SVA anti glare micro edge display
    Hard Drives
    64 GB emmc
For information:
All Windows systems are UEFI and GPT partitioned – Linux (minimum knowledge) will leave default settings

@andrew129260: Video tutorial was good, I’d look for W11 customization something similar to Rufus 4.4
@docfreed: I’ll give it a shot
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
@ProgEngi as docfreed mentioned above Ventoy will boot both Windows & Linux plus many other bootable ISO like Partition Wizard, Macrium, Aiomei ect. and is very simple to use as you just copy any created bootable ISO image to the created Ventoy USB stick without having to recreate the USB each time and updated ISO images can be added deleted at any time also Ventoy uses both Legacy and UEFI mode.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x 2 + Insider Dev
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    My first abomination, I call it the Money Pit One
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900K @ 5.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO
    Memory
    2 x Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB (4x16GB Total) DDR5-6200 CL36 Dual Channel Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 10GB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 with ESS® ES9018Q2C DAC for pinpoint positioning and dynamics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung 43" HDR Neo QLED Mini-LED Tizen Smart TV (QN43QN90DAFXZC) 2024
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @ 150 DPI & 120Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 980 Series - 250GB PCIe Gen3. X4 NVMe 1.4 - M.2 Internal SSD (Windows 11 Pro Dual boot)
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i 80+ Platinum Modular Power Supply 1000W
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Tempered Glass Full Tower Case - Black
    Cooling
    CORSAIR iCUE H150i RGB Elite 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Perixx PERIBOARD-732B Wireless Mini Backlit USB Keyboard with Low Profile Keys - US Layout
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1000 Mbps
    Browser
    Latest Version Of Firefox & Microsoft Edge Chromium Stable
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
    Other Info
    LG Electronics 14x Sata Blu-ray Disk Rewriter - WH14NS4O
    2 x OREI 4K 4x2 HDMI Matrix Switch With ARC Audio Extraction, HDR & Downscaling (UHD-402D) so I can send the output of my Cable Box, Roku, or any of my 4 computers to either of my TV's separately or simultaneously.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x 2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    My second abomination, I call it the Money Pit Two
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900K @ 5.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI
    Memory
    2 x Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5 6400MHz CL32 Dual Channel Kit (4x16GB Total) Black
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Ti OC Edition 8 GB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 with ESS® ES9018Q2C DAC for pinpoint positioning and dynamics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung 43" HDR Neo QLED Mini-LED Tizen Smart TV (QN43QN90DAFXZC) 2024
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @ 150 DPI & 120Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 980 Series - 250GB PCIe Gen3. X4 NVMe 1.4 - M.2 Internal SSD (Windows 11 Pro Dual boot)
    PSU
    Corsair AX860 - 860W Modular Power Supply
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Pro Tempered Glass Full Tower Case - Black
    Cooling
    CORSAIR iCUE H150i RGB Elite 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
    Keyboard
    Perixx PERIBOARD-326 Wired Mini Backlit USB Keyboard with Low Profile Keys - US Layout
    Internet Speed
    1000 Mbps
    Browser
    Latest Version Of Firefox & EDGE Chromium Stable
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
    Other Info
    LG Electronics 14x Sata Blu-ray Disk Rewriter - WH14NS4O
    2 x OREI 4K 4x2 HDMI Matrix Switch With ARC Audio Extraction, HDR & Downscaling (UHD-402D) so I can send the output of my Cable Box, Roku, or any of my 4 computers to either of my TV's separately or simultaneously.
IownAmoneyPit said:
@ProgEngi as docfreed mentioned above Ventoy will boot both Windows & Linux plus many other bootable ISO like Partition Wizard, Macrium, Aiomei ect. and is very simple to use as you just copy any created bootable ISO image to the created Ventoy USB stick without having to recreate the USB each time and updated ISO images can be added deleted at any time also Ventoy uses both Legacy and UEFI mode.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll do it soon and update
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
Used instructions here and failed with Black Screen, although instructions ask enabling secure boot which I didn’t (unsupported), however, GPT was selected

There’s yet another problem with W8.1 that I’ll post at relevant forum once the main task completes – will revert back later
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
ProgEngi said:
Used instructions here and failed with Black Screen, although instructions ask enabling secure boot which I didn’t (unsupported), however, GPT was selected

There’s yet another problem with W8.1 that I’ll post at relevant forum once the main task completes – will revert back later
Click to expand...
When you install Ventoy without leaving the Secure Boot Support option enabled (default), you will only be able to boot into it after you have disabled Secure Boot in your UEFI firmware's settings (or unless you have a Legacy BIOS, in which case Ventoy must be installed as MBR).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
hdmi said:
When you install Ventoy without leaving the Secure Boot Support option enabled (default), you will only be able to boot into it after you have disabled Secure Boot in your UEFI firmware's settings (or unless you have a Legacy BIOS, in which case Ventoy must be installed as MBR).
Click to expand...
https://imgur.com/a/5OidSMl

Please advise
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
@ProgEngi

I assume you are talking about INSTALL disks . If you want actual installations end running systems as per Windows2Go - perfectly possible too - if that's what you want please post back and I'll list the steps down you need to do it. I have a 2TB external NVME attached via a USBC adapter -- on it 3X Window 11, 1X Windows PE, 1X Windows server 2025, 1X Arch Linux, 1X Fedora server (also linux).

(Note though Win2GO systems can't usually be upgraded to new builds so you would have to clone them back to internal drives to upgrade to a new build -- doesn't seem to be a problem though with Windows server 2025 test / trial one free till end sep 2024).

These days with USB sticks of 64GB capacity being around €15 for a pack of 5 I'm not sure whether making a multiboot usb stick is worth the time and trouble. I know not the answer to the thread but unless you want to solve it as a technical problem instead of using a practical alrernative --then ignore the post.

(Another issue BTW - it's 100% possible to create an external USB drive with one or more Windows to go system(s) plus one or more Linux systems on the same drive. External SSD / NVME connect via SATA->USB works very well. --different issue though).

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
jimbo45 said:
@ProgEngi

I assume you are talking about INSTALL disks . If you want actual installations end running systems as per Windows2Go - perfectly possible too - if that's what you want please post back and I'll list the steps down you need to do it. I have a 2TB external NVME attached via a USBC adapter -- on it 3X Window 11, 1X Windows PE, 1X Windows server 2025, 1X Arch Linux, 1X Fedora server (also linux).

(Note though Win2GO systems can't usually be upgraded to new builds so you would have to clone them back to internal drives to upgrade to a new build -- doesn't seem to be a problem though with Windows server 2025 test / trial one free till end sep 2024).

These days with USB sticks of 64GB capacity being around €15 for a pack of 5 I'm not sure whether making a multiboot usb stick is worth the time and trouble. I know not the answer to the thread but unless you want to solve it as a technical problem instead of using a practical alrernative --then ignore the post.

(Another issue BTW - it's 100% possible to create an external USB drive with one or more Windows to go system(s) plus one or more Linux systems on the same drive. External SSD / NVME connect via SATA->USB works very well. --different issue though).

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
@jimbo45: Thank you very much

To be honest – I never made multi-boot USB; this is first experience and that too with Ventoy – nothing fancy

I’ve many USBs each with Windows 7 to Windows 11 (Rufus), I can still make a separate USB for Linux (Rufus), purpose of using Ventoy is learning

Detailed pictorial set of instructions if possible will be much appreciated
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
I have not used any multi-boot recently, but I used to use Easy2Boot (mostly Windows 7 era). Checking the Ventoy site they seem similar. MajorGeeks seems to have the recent versions. And looks like it also includes Ventoy from a comment. Main site has a lot of resources on how to use.

Easy2Boot
Easy2Boot MajorGeeks

E2B includes Ventoy (it has three menu systems). It can also boot to XP, DOS and the winpe, DOS and console versions of Active Boot Disk ISOs.
Click to expand...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    7800x3D
    Motherboard
    MSI B650 Tomahawk Wi-Fi
    Memory
    2 x 16GB G.SKill Flare x5 CL30
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX970 Gaming 4G
    Sound Card
    OnBoard Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB nvme // Samsung 850 Pro 512 GB // 4 x WD Black 2TB (SATA Raid0)
    PSU
    FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W ATX3.0
    Case
    Phanteks P600s
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    35 Mbit VDSL
    Browser
    Firefox // Brave
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
GokAy said:
I have not used any multi-boot recently, but I used to use Easy2Boot (mostly Windows 7 era). Checking the Ventoy site they seem similar. MajorGeeks seems to have the recent versions. And looks like it also includes Ventoy from a comment. Main site has a lot of resources on how to use.

Easy2Boot
Easy2Boot MajorGeeks
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll check and try
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
ProgEngi said:
Thanks, I'll check and try
Click to expand...
Please don't. The official E2B website is easy2boot.xyz, not easy2boot.com!

There appear to be compatibility issues between some Lenovo laptop models and Ventoy. Until the issues are fixed, you can look for possible wokarounds to try. This looks like it could be a good place to start: [] ventoy usb boot - Lenovo Thinkpad AMD issue - ventoy 1.0.97
Should you decide to post on the Ventoy forum website about your specific problem, then please do it by creating a whole new thread on there (i.e., don't just hijack the one that I linked above).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
hdmi said:
Please don't. The official E2B website is easy2boot.xyz, not easy2boot.com!

There appear to be compatibility issues between some Lenovo laptop models and Ventoy. Until the issues are fixed, you can look for possible wokarounds to try. This looks like it could be a good place to start: [] ventoy usb boot - Lenovo Thinkpad AMD issue - ventoy 1.0.97
Should you decide to post on the Ventoy forum website about your specific problem, then please do it by creating a whole new thread on there (i.e., don't just hijack the one that I linked above).
Click to expand...
You nailed – the details of system where tried to install Ventoy 1.0.97 is given below:

Windows 10 Pro Version 10.0.19045 Build 19045
LENOVO B570e x64-based PC
Processor i5-2430M
BIOS Version LENOVO 44CN43WW
SMBIOS Version 2.6
BIOS Mode UEFI
Secure Boot State Unsupported
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB

I’m not in a rush. Please don’t worry, I’d never Troll or Hijack your or anybody’s else post anywhere
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Various
hdmi said:
Please don't. The official E2B website is easy2boot.xyz, not easy2boot.com!
Click to expand...
Sorry for that and thanks for the correction. I reported myself so it can be changed to xyz.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    7800x3D
    Motherboard
    MSI B650 Tomahawk Wi-Fi
    Memory
    2 x 16GB G.SKill Flare x5 CL30
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX970 Gaming 4G
    Sound Card
    OnBoard Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB nvme // Samsung 850 Pro 512 GB // 4 x WD Black 2TB (SATA Raid0)
    PSU
    FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W ATX3.0
    Case
    Phanteks P600s
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    35 Mbit VDSL
    Browser
    Firefox // Brave
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
Note -- For Running Windows and Linux systems on the same HDD -- (actual running systems - not the install disks) if booting GRUB ist (Linux boot) the boot menu will show Linux and Windows -at boot time via its boot menu (you don't need to go into the computers own boot BIOS menu) -- ensure at at Linux install time you enable "OSPROBER" at the "Install boot loader" part of the Linux install and Windows is installed before Linux.

If booting Windows ist at the standard Blue Windows boot menu select --other options -- use a device and it should have your Linux partition with "GRUB" or whatever you called the partition when you did the "install grub" part of the Linux install.

If you installed Linux without grub but selected systemd instead as the boot manager then the "OSPROBER" function is done automatically and you'll see Linux and Windows in the boot menu.

Again if running Windows and Linux from the same disk ensure Windows is installed ist.

You can set via the computers BIOS menu which partition should boot ist -- then from the boot menu of either the Linux or Windows system choose what you want to boot.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
I have one usb per OS so if one fails I do not have to reinstate everything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
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