How to Install Ventoy on Kali Linux

beginnerSoftware Install6 min

Independently tested and verified on Oct 21, 2026. Commands reproduced exactly as run.

Prerequisites

A computer running Kali Linux
An external USB drive
Your password, which the Ventoy GUI asks for when it starts
Access to https://ventoy.net to download Ventoy
A few ISO files to boot (the video uses CachyOS, Clonezilla, Proxmox and Windows 11)

This tutorial takes about 6 minutes to complete.

This guide shows how to install Ventoy on Kali Linux, copy ISO files onto the Ventoy drive, and boot four of them from one external drive. It follows the video.

New to Ventoy? The Ventoy page explains what it is, what it does and how it can help you.

Warning: Installing Ventoy formats the device and erases everything on it. Back up your files first.

Before you start

You need a computer running Kali Linux, an external USB drive, your password, access to https://ventoy.net to download Ventoy, and a few ISO files you want to boot. The video uses CachyOS, Clonezilla, Proxmox and Windows 11.

Jump to a chapter in the video: Intro · Download Ventoy · Extract folder · Run Ventoy · Install Ventoy · Add your ISOs · Boot test

Step 1: Download Ventoy

Open your favorite browser and type https://ventoy.net in the address bar. Click Downloads and find the linux.tar.gz file, then click it. Your download will start shortly. When it has finished, click the folder icon and close your browser.

The ventoy.net download page with the Binary table and the pointer on the linux.tar.gz file.

Step 2: Extract the file

Open the linux.tar.gz file, right-click, click Extract here and click OK. Once it is extracted, you can delete the linux.tar.gz file.

Step 3: Move the Ventoy folder to your home folder

For most people the Ventoy folder is in the Downloads folder. To keep things organized, place it in your home folder: select the Ventoy folder, right-click, click Cut, go to your home folder and paste it there.

Step 4: Run the Ventoy GUI

Double-click inside the Ventoy folder and scroll down until you see the VentoyGUI.x86_64 file. If you are running an AMD or Intel processor, use this file: right-click it and click Execute. Enter your password when asked. The Ventoy window opens.

Step 5: Select your drive

Connect your external drive (USB) and look in the device menu. If you do not see it, click the green refresh button. If it still does not appear, open Options and click Show All Devices, which shows all the drives.

Warning: Show All Devices lists every drive, including your main hard drive. Be careful not to format your main hard drive, and make sure you find the exact drive you want to use.

Step 6: Install Ventoy to the drive

Back up anything important on your USB drive: it will be formatted and everything on it will be erased. With the correct drive selected, click Install. A warning says the device will be formatted and all data will be lost; click OK. Ventoy double checks; click OK again. When Ventoy reports that it has been successfully installed, close the Ventoy window.

The Ventoy2Disk warning that the device will be formatted and all the data will be lost, with Cancel and OK.

Step 7: Copy your ISOs to the Ventoy drive

Open the os folder in your home folder, which holds your ISO files. The video has CachyOS, Clonezilla, Proxmox and Windows 11 ISOs there. Select everything, copy it, then paste it into the Ventoy drive. Wait until all the ISOs have been successfully copied.

Tip: For fast speeds and more storage space, use an external NVMe drive. The NVMe tutorial linked below shows how to build one with an NVMe enclosure.

The file manager showing the Ventoy drive with four ISO files, cachyos, clonezilla, proxmox and Windows 11.

Step 8: Boot and test each ISO

Close the file manager and shut down your computer. Check your manufacturer's documentation to see how to boot into the BIOS or the boot menu, and set your Ventoy drive as the number one boot drive. Here the Ventoy drive is already number one, so press Enter. The Ventoy menu appears. Select an ISO and boot into normal mode. In the video, CachyOS, Clonezilla, Proxmox and Windows 11 all booted from the Ventoy drive.

FAQ

Yes. Ventoy formats the device and all the data on it is lost, so make a backup of anything you need before you click Install.

Kali Linux, which is what the video shows. Other systems are not covered here.

Click the green refresh button. If it still does not appear, open the Options menu and click Show All Devices. That list includes every drive on your computer, even your main hard drive, so make sure you select the correct drive.

On an AMD or Intel processor, run the VentoyGUI.x86_64 file. Right-click it, click Execute and enter your password when asked.

Check your manufacturer's documentation to see how to boot into the BIOS or the boot menu, and make sure the Ventoy drive is the number one boot drive. In the video it is already number one, so pressing Enter boots it.

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Products used in this tutorial

storage

ORICO M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure (10Gbps)

ORICO USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure supporting 2230/2242/2260/2280 form factors up to 8TB, with UASP support for fast external drive performance.

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