Creating a bootable USB with multiple ISO images for both Windows and Linux operating systems can be an incredibly useful tool. It allows you to carry around a single USB drive that can boot into multiple different systems. This is handy for system administrators, IT professionals, or anyone who frequently works with multiple operating systems.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a bootable USB with multiple ISO images using a tool called MultiSystem.
To create a bootable USB with multiple ISO images for Windows and Linux, you can use a tool called MultiSystem. This Linux-based tool allows you to add multiple ISO images to a single USB drive and boot into different operating systems. Simply install MultiSystem, prepare your USB drive, add the ISO images, install the GRUB bootloader, and then boot from the USB drive to select the desired ISO image.
What is MultiSystem?
MultiSystem is a powerful Linux-based tool that allows you to create a multiboot USB drive with multiple ISO images. It supports a wide range of Linux distributions, as well as Windows ISO images.
Step 1: Installing MultiSystem
First, you need to download and install MultiSystem.
- Download the MultiSystem package from the official website.
- Extract the downloaded package.
- Open a terminal and navigate to the extracted folder. You can do this by using the
cdcommand, which changes the current working directory. For example, if you extracted the package to your Downloads folder, you would use the commandcd ~/Downloads. - Run the following commands to install MultiSystem:
sudo chmod +x install-depot-multisystem.sh
sudo ./install-depot-multisystem.shThe chmod command changes the permissions of the file, making it executable. The +x parameter adds the execute permission. The sudo command runs the following command with root privileges, which is necessary for installing software.
Step 2: Preparing the USB Drive
Next, you need to prepare your USB drive.
- Insert the USB drive you want to use.
- Open MultiSystem from the applications menu.
- Select your USB drive from the list of available drives.
- Click on the “Validate” button to format the USB drive.
This will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
Step 3: Adding ISO Images
Now you can add the ISO images you want to include on your bootable USB drive.
- Click on the “Add” button in MultiSystem.
- Browse and select the ISO images you want to add.
- Click on the “OK” button to add the ISO images to the USB drive.
You can repeat this process to add as many ISO images as you want, as long as your USB drive has enough space.
Step 4: Installing the GRUB Bootloader
The final step is to install the GRUB bootloader on the USB drive. This will allow you to select which ISO image to boot from when you start your computer.
- Click on the “Install” button in MultiSystem.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the GRUB bootloader on the USB drive.
Step 5: Booting from the USB Drive
To boot from the USB drive:
- Restart your computer.
- During startup, press the appropriate key to enter the boot menu (this key varies by manufacturer, but is often F12, F2, or Del).
- Select your USB drive from the boot menu.
- You will see a GRUB menu with the list of ISO images you added. Use the arrow keys to select the desired ISO image and press Enter to boot into it.
Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB with multiple ISO images can be a great tool for system administrators or anyone who frequently works with different operating systems. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create your own multiboot USB drive using MultiSystem. Remember to always safely eject your USB drive from your system to prevent data corruption. Happy computing!
No, MultiSystem is a Linux-based tool and is not compatible with Windows operating systems.
The maximum number of ISO images that you can add depends on the size of your USB drive. Make sure your USB drive has enough storage space for all the ISO images you want to include.
Yes, MultiSystem supports a wide range of Linux distributions as well as Windows ISO images. You can add ISO images from different operating systems to your bootable USB drive.
Yes, you can add or remove ISO images from the USB drive even after installing the GRUB bootloader. Simply open MultiSystem, select your USB drive, and click on the "Add" or "Remove" button to manage the ISO images on your USB drive.
Yes, creating a bootable USB with MultiSystem will format and erase all the data on your USB drive. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding with the process.
Yes, you can use the bootable USB drive on any computer that supports booting from USB. However, keep in mind that some older computers may not have this capability.
Yes, you can update the ISO images on the USB drive without reformatting it. Simply remove the existing ISO images and add the updated ones using MultiSystem.
To safely eject the USB drive, make sure to properly unmount or eject it from your operating system. This ensures that all data has been written and prevents data corruption. On most operating systems, you can right-click on the USB drive icon and select the "Eject" or "Safely Remove" option.
