Test Multiple Linux Distros with Ventoy – Persistent USB Guide

Tired of re‑formatting your USB every time you want to try a new Linux distro? In the next few minutes you’ll learn a single‑USB workflow that lets you test multiple Linux distros with Ventoy and keep every change you make between boots. Follow the step‑by‑step setup below and turn one flash drive into a portable, persistent lab.

Why the “re‑flash” loop kills productivity

Flashing a fresh ISO for each distro means you lose all settings, installed apps, and any notes you saved during the previous session. The constant wipe‑and‑copy cycle eats hours of your evening and puts personal files at risk. What you really need is a tool that stores several ISOs side‑by‑side and preserves user data without re‑installing anything.

Setting up Ventoy for persistent storage

1. Download & install Ventoy – Grab the latest zip from the official site, run the installer, and point it at your USB stick. Ventoy formats the drive, creates a tiny bootloader, and finishes in a couple of minutes.
2. Create the required folder – On the USB, make a folder named ventoy. This is where you will drop every Linux ISO you want to test.
3. Copy ISOs – Simply copy files like ubuntu.iso, fedora.iso, or mint.iso into the ventoy folder. When you boot, Ventoy automatically lists each ISO on the menu.

Adding persistence

Persistence is what lets you keep changes between boots. Inside the ventoy folder, create (or edit) a file called ventoy.json and add an entry for each distro:

{
  "control_legacy": [
    { "Image": "/ubuntu.iso", "Persistence": "5000" },
    { "Image": "/fedora.iso", "Persistence": "4000" }
  ]
}

• The Persistence value is the size in megabytes reserved for that distro’s write‑able overlay.
• Adjust the numbers to fit the free space on your USB; the total must stay below the drive’s capacity.

Save the file, eject the USB, and boot again. Now any apps you install, settings you change, or files you create will remain the next time you launch the same ISO.

How to use Ventoy to test Linux distros – quick workflow

1. Insert the USB and power on the machine.
2. At the Ventoy boot menu, select the distro you want to explore.
3. Use the OS as you normally would – install packages, tweak the desktop, save documents.
4. Reboot, return to the Ventoy menu, and pick a different distro. Your previous changes stay intact.

No command‑line wizardry, no re‑flashing, just download → install → copy ISO → edit JSON → reboot. The process works with any mainstream distro—Ubuntu, Debian, Manjaro, Mint, Fedora, you name it.

Tips for a smooth experience

• Increase persistence per distro when you need more room for development tools or large data sets.
• Keep the ventoy folder tidy: delete unused ISOs to free space for new experiments.
• Label your ISOs (e.g., ubuntu‑22.04.iso) to avoid confusion when selecting from the boot menu.

Wrap‑up

A Ventoy USB with persistent storage eliminates the endless “flash again” nightmare and gives you a portable lab you can carry in your pocket. You’ll spend less time waiting on progress bars and more time actually exploring what each Linux flavor offers.

Give this setup a try, share it with a friend who’s fed up with constant re‑formatting, and subscribe to our newsletter for more practical tech hacks.