Introduction: USB Pesistence in Ventoy

By
About: College Student

Please see the above prerequisites mentioned

Supplies

LINKS

Download Ventoy: https://www.ventoy.net/en/download.html

Visit the offical guide link: https://www.ventoy.net/en/plugin_persistence.html

As seen Ventoy officially tested this distors to be fully working:


Name ---------- Label (IMPORTANT)

Arch Linux ------> vtoycow

Ubuntu ----------> casper-rw

MX Linux -------> MX-Persist

LinuxMint -------> casper-rw

elementary OS -> casper-rw

Zorin -------------> casper-rw

Kaspersky Rescue Disk ---> casper-rw

Kali ---------------> persistence

CloneZIlla -------> persistence

Fedora -----------> vtoycow

It's safe to say that any of the mentioned distros provide full support without any second-guessing about their functionality. Feel free to experiment if you're up for it!

Step 1: Download Predefined .img File (Shell for Storage)

On official guide scroll down and under Download pre-created

Go to Github link: https://github.com/ventoy/backend/releases

Scroll down under Assets download Images.zip file.

Step 2: Open Images.zip

Opening Images.zip you will see predefined sizes ranging from 256mb upto 4Gb of Image files.

Step 3: Select Prefered Size, Label, FileSystem

As previously stated, depending on your chosen operating system and preferred size, select the appropriate label and file system.

Eg: I chose Kali live OS

So, OS/Label/Filesystem

Kali-persistence-Ext4

File chose:

persistence_ext4_4GB_persistence.dat.7z

NOTE: USE EXT4 AND NOT XFS IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND YOUR PERSISTENCE STORAGE SIZE IN THE FUTURE. WITH XFS YOU CANNOT!

Step 4: Copy File and Extract .dat

Please take note: it is advisable to extract the .7z file onto an SSD drive. I made the mistake of extracting it onto a USB drive with notably slower speeds. Once extracted move it to the final destination USB folder.

Step 5: Open VentoyPlugson on Previously Downloaded Ventoy

Upon clicking start a local webpage will be launched. Navigate to the "Persistence Plugin" tab and proceed by clicking on it

Step 6: Follow Exactly

  1. Click on "Add" (A new pop-up window will appear).
  2. Enter the precise file location path for your Distro.
  3. Enter the exact file location path for your .dat file.
  4. Press okay.


Step 7: In My Case

In my case:

E - My 32GB USB drive

Inside 2 Folders ISO & ventoy folder

E:\ISO\Kali-live (I like my Distos seperate in a folder so)

E:\ventoy\persistence_ext4_4GB_persistence.dat

upon completion click OK

Step 8: Auto Verification by Plugin

The status lights will turn GREEN if the plugin successfully locates both the distro and .dat file locations.

Step 9: .json File Is Created With Configuration

  1. Close all open applications and processes, including the Plugson plugin that was previously initiated.
  2. Safely remove the pendrive from your computer.
  3. Shut down your computer.

Step 10: Boot From USB Upon Start

Select your persistence distro

in my case Kali-live.iso

Next

Boot in normal mode>Boot with /ventoy/persistence_xx_xx.dat

Step 11: Select "Live System With USB Persistence"

Step 12: To Verify

Open terminal and type:

df . -h


Done 👍


Feel free to leave comments down below if you have any doubts or require further clarification. Additionally, if you have suggestions or if there's a specific topic you'd like to be covered in a video or instructable, please share your thoughts. Thank you.