YUMI (Your USB Multiboot Installer) is a multiboot USB boot maker or media creation tool that can be used to make a multisystem bootable flash drive. This utility helps you quickly create a custom multi bootable USB drive containing several different ISO files. Use it to boot from USB your favorite Live Linux portable operating systems, Linux and Windows Installers, antivirus utilities, disc cloning, backup, penetration testing, diagnostic tools, and much more.
Making it easy for anyone to create their own customized multi purpose bootable USB.
Table of Contents
What is YUMI?
YUMI Multiboot USB creator has been considered by many to be the best tool to create a bootable USB. It replaces our old Multiboot ISOS tool and is also the successor to the Universal USB Installer (UUI). These tools were among the first ever made for the purpose of creating a bootable flash drive.
All bootable ISO files are stored within the YUMI folder. This makes for a nicely organized portable Multiboot USB drive that can still be used for traditional storage purposes.
Though the utility was originally intended to be used to boot from USB "LIVE Linux" operating systems and tools, using it to install Linux from a flash drive to a hard drive should also work with most distributions. If you find a distro where the installer does not work, please let me know. You can also use this software to create Bootable Windows Installers, enabling you to easily Install Windows 10 from USB.
YUMI Multiboot Bootable USB Flash Drive Creation
This tool works much like the classical Universal USB Installer or Rufus, except instead of imaging a single ISO to USB, it can be used to store and run more than one distribution from your thumb drive. Enabling you to Boot Multiple ISO files from the same device. Distributions can also easily be uninstalled or removed with the tool!
Q: You might be asking, how can I boot from USB with exFAT?
A: The YUMI exFAT media creation tool can be used to automatically create an exFAT bootable USB. The following explains key differences between it and all of the older archived, no longer updated YUMI variants:
- YUMI exFAT supports exFAT format & 4GB+ files. BIOS and UEFI USB boot.
- YUMI Legacy (archived) supports NTFS or Fat32 format. BIOS USB boot only.
- YUMI UEFI (archived) Fat32 only. BIOS and UEFI USB booting (distro dependent).
YUMI exFAT (BIOS and UEFI USB Boot)
This is the the latest and suggested variant to use going forward. It allows you to keep using an exFAT format on your USB drive and store files larger than 4GB. Both modern UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot modes are supported. You can also drag and drop bootable ISO files into folders onto your flash drive to be automatically detected and added to the boot menu at startup.
YUMI exFAT utilizes a bootloader based on Ventoy2Disk along with a custom YUMI theme and configuration enabling you to use advanced Ventoy boot methods with YUMI's helpful front end. Making it easy to find new distributions to download and try.
Create and manage for example; Arch, Debian, Fedora, and Ubuntu based distributions with persistent images, or make multiple Windows Media Installers. You can even use the software for installing Windows onto USB in which case each distribution is stored and booted from separate VHDx images.
It is also important to note that this variant is backwards compatible with Ventoy. In fact, if you'd like, instead of using YUMI2USB you can copy YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.3.exe to the same location as your Ventoy2Disk.exe and the multiboot USB boot tool will autodetect and use it instead for performing installation/updates.
How the YUMI App works
YUMI enables each user to create their own custom multiboot UFD containing only the distributions they want. Additional distributions can be added to the bootable USB device each time the tool is run.
After your select drive has been setup by using "Prepare this Device" option, you can proceed use the front end Installer to learn more about and download distributions and tools to put on the selected drive. The front end will automatically create an organized folder structure and then copy each ISO file to the drive for you. This media creation tool will also keep track of your installations, which can come in handy for removal later on.
Your Universal multiboot Installer software can also create persistent storage files for you along with any related .json entries. Note that each Arch, Fedora, Debian or Ubuntu based distribution can have its own persistent storage.
Bootable exFAT Flash Drive Setup and USB Boot Screen
YUMI Features:
- Official Website links are provided to help you learn more about each USB bootable distribution.
- Download links make it easy to find new ISO files to try on your bootable USB.
- Up to 40GB persistence file creation for Arch, Fedora, Ubuntu and Debian based distributions such as KALI Linux.
- Easily add or remove installed ISO distributions and persistent block files.
- Automatic drive preparation using a Fat32 boot partition and exFAT partition for storage.
- Optional ability to "Drag and Drop ISO files" onto USB.
- 100% Free and Open Source (version specific source code is provided upon release).
Drag and Drop ISO Support:
You can also create your own storage folders within the YUMI folder on the flash drive and then just drag and drop your ISO, IMG, WIM, VHD(x), VDI.vtoy, and EFI files into those folders on the USB flash drive. During startup, the system will add entries for discovered items. Stored files can be larger than 4GB.
Is USB Secure Boot Supported?
Yes, this variant makes use of the upstream Ventoy Secure Boot. Simply select VTOYEFI and then set ENROLL_THIS_KEY_IN_MOKMANAGER.cer as the Select Key to be enrolled into the MOK database.
Essentials to create a Multi System Bootable USB Drive
Recommended Flash Drives: You will have the best experience when using a fast SSD flash drive. Here is a list of suggested Best Fast USB flash drives.
- 2GB+ flash drive (128GB - 1TB size works well).
- Computer that can boot from USB.
- Windows 11, 10, 8 Operating Environment.
- YUMI (to create a Multiboot Bootable USB).
- Your favorite Windows and Linux ISO Files.
How To Create Multiboot USB with YUMI?
Making the multiboot USB flash drive (Windows)
- Run* YUMI following the onscreen instructions.
- Then, Run the tool again to Add More ISOs/Distributions to your Drive.
- Restart your PC and set your UEFI or BIOS Boot Menu to boot from the USB drive.
- Select a distribution or tool to launch. Then, boot and enjoy!
That's really all there is to it. If all went well, then you should be booting your favorite distributions from your custom YUMI multiboot USB drive!
YUMI exFAT Download
18 Sep 2023 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.3.exe
YUMI exFAT SHA-256: c1dc6cd99e8d6b148bb3c4702daf0c91b500b87965cedd1ee91ae9d51e7beec7
WARNING Backup Data: You must backup any data you wish to keep before using the "Prepare this Device" option. While preparing the drive, ALL volumes/partitions on the selected (Disk #) even if hidden, will be wiped clean.
YUMI exFAT Changelog
The following log outlines recent changes made to the exFAT version of the software. Note that only revisions for the past year are shown.
- 9/18/2023 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.3: Corrected an issue in GetDriveType for detection of removable and fixed disks. Added Vanilla dPup to the supported distros list.
- 9/13/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.2: The tool now enumerates through each drive letter and then accumulates and combines volumes/partitions that are on the same physical disk number. Fixed a few more bugs with menu options related to the handing of selections. Changed drive detection methods. Both fixed and removable disks with the exception of those containing a Windows\system32 directory are displayed by default. Added redetect disks checkbox option.
- 9/7/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.1: 1.0.95 bootloader. Corrected ISO masking for Windows X-Lite. Addressed various bugs in the handing of message boxes and menu selections. Added a new feature that automatically checks for version update at runtime.
- 8/4/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.0: 1.0.94 bootloader. Fix broken persistence feature in Zorin OS and other distributions.
- 7/12/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.9: Updated to use 1.0.93 bootloader and implement upstream Ventoy bug fixes. Increase max persistence file creation to 40GB per distribution.
- 5/8/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.8a: Updated Lubuntu home and download pages. Added a WIPE Drive link. Fixed to show selected drive during subsequent installs when show all drives was previously ticked. Temporarily switch from YUMI2USB back to using Ventoy2Disk via passthrough commands for core bootloader creation.
- 5/8/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.8: Fix to support Kali Linux USB Persistence, and Linux Mint Debian Edition Persistence. Added a check for new version option.
- 5/3/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.7: Revert back to using YUMI2USB and include core files due to download issues a few users were having when trying to fetch while running behind a proxy.
- 4/20/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.6a: Check for and download and use the latest Bootloader files.
- 3/30/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.6: Updated to use Ventoy 1.0.90 Bootloader files. Check for YUMI theme and configuration during install/update.
- 3/15/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.5: Update to use VTOYCLI options and fetch latest Ventoy Bootloader files from GitHub.
- 3/12/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.4a: Edit Phoenix OS Lite + Windows X-Lite website and build links.
- 3/9/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.4: Implement upstream bootloader changes from ventoy 1.0.89. Improve and add control parameters to json file.
- 2/28/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.3: Added Proxmox ISO support.
- 2/4/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.2: Repair broken PhoenixLite OS entry.
- 2/4/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.1: Add support for newer Memtest86 and Memtest86+ versions.
- 1/26/23 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.1.0: Update to support ClearLinux Desktop and Server ISOs. Implement upstream changes from Ventoy 1.0.88. Include YUMI theme on first partition.
USB Bootable ISO files
Here are some bootable Live Linux distros, portable Operating Systems, Windows Installers, and system diagnostic tools that you can install and boot from USB using this software. Keep in mind that this list is by no means all inclusive.
| Distribution Name | Supported ISO Version |
|---|---|
| Debian Live |
|
| Fedora Linux with persistence |
|
| Linux Mint with persistence |
|
| OpenSUSE |
|
| Puppy Linux |
|
| Ubuntu Linux with persistence |
|
| Other Distros Alphabetical |
|
| NetBook Distributions |
|
| Virtual Machines |
|
| Antivirus Tools |
|
| System Tools |
|
| Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP and Other OS/Tools | YUMI can be used in place of Microsoft's "Create Media Tool" for Windows 11, 10.
|
| Boot and Run Windows 11 from VHD on USB | Install, boot, and run Windows from VHDx on USB. Experiment with running Windows 11 or 10 portably.
|
| Unlisted ISOs |
|
Please inform me of unlisted "FREE" Live Linux distributions or version revisions, and I will attempt to update the USB Multiboot Tool to support them. Additionally, developers who wish to have their Live Linux distribution added, can direct me to a copy to try.
FAQ, Known Issues, Bugs
The Persistence feature is currently broken with Newer Debian based distributions due to changes upstream. Debian now requires the persistent block file and label to be named persistence instead of live-rw, and it must hold a persistence.conf file containing / Union. This has been partially Fixed with the recent releases of YUMI exFAT, and works for some distributions such as KALI Linux with persistence.
Cant boot from USB but BIOS/UEFI supports USB booting
Some flash drives ship formatted (without a partition), but this USB boot tool requires the drive to contain a partition with a MBR (Master Boot Record). To ensure compatibility, the installer will format your device during preparation.
Troubleshooting USB Boot Errors:
When booting Linux distributions from some laptops such as the Lenovo Yoga with a touchscreen, the acpi=off boot parameter might be necessary in order to successfully boot.
If you don't have a floppy drive and get fd0 errors while booting, simply add floppy.allowed_drive_mask=0 to the append line for the troubled entry. Although the best fix is to simply disable floppy in BIOS.
Persistently Saving Changes: The casper-rw persistence feature is used for some (but not all) Debian and Ubuntu based distributions. Yes, you can also have multiple persistent distributions, as each distro utilizes its own block file.
Ophcrack Tables: In order to load Ophcrack tables, the tables folder needs to exist at the root directory of the USB device; (example F:\tables\vista_free). You can get Ophcrack Tables from the Official Ophcrack site. Once downloaded, simply unzip them to the root of your USB. Because you're using this method, you can have your Windows 11/10/8/XP tables all working together on the same device.
Other Known Issues:
TAILS: If your Multiboot Bootable USB is detected as a "fixed" hard drive and not a "removable" disk, (a few of the larger AXE and SanDisk drives have the removable bit flipped this way), you'll need to remove occurrences of the boot parameter "live-media=removable" or consequently TAILS will fail to find the live filesystem.
Running YUMI on Linux: Unfortunately distros can not currently be added and removed with the tool in Linux using WINE. Drive detection, partitioning and format features also do not work as WINE appears to disallow the use of functions that require elevated administration privileges. I am working on a fix.
YU MI can be pronounced Yŭh * Mēē or "YUMMY". It is often misspelled YUMMI, YUUMI, or YUMY. Some might also call it Yū * Mēē or "YOU ME".
