Question

multiboot USB stick: one for all

Answer 1

Create a multiboot USB stick: Here's how
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
5th step:
6th step:
7th step:
Multiboot USB stick: what is it for?

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Starting a computer from a multiboot USB stick can avoid major difficulties and data loss in an emergency..

Image: <span> takayuki / Shutterstock.com </span>

Murphy's law says: The computer always fails precisely when an important delivery is due, a project is to be completed or there is currently no backup of important data. In such a case, good advice is expensive, even if the costs are “only” personal time spent on data backup and reinstallation. Not to mention the miserable fiddling about rescuing data from a broken Windows or Linux installation. Reason enough to have a USB stick (or rather a compact SSD) to hand to start the computer. So that all rescue and installation tools are immediately at hand, it should preferably contain Windows and Linux. You only need one USB stick for all systems.

• Create a multiboot USB stick: Here's how
• Multiboot USB stick: what is it for?

Create a multiboot USB stick: Here's how

This is made possible with the help of the WinSetupFromUSB tool : This not only allows a Windows environment to be set up on the USB stick or an external SSD, but also enables Linux to be included at the same time. At the start you can choose between both systems. However, you need a sufficiently large USB stick, or even better, a USB SSD with at least 64 gigabytes. After that, setup is a breeze:

1st step:

Before you get started, you should first download the required ISO files: Windows 10 ( https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/software-download/windows10 ) and your preferred Linux distribution. The Windows ISO file can no longer be obtained directly from Microsoft, but only via the Media Creation Tool with a valid license. Run the tool and select Create installation media (USB memory stick, DVD or ISO file) for another PC > " Next" . Then select the required language, architecture and edition of Windows and then " Next ". Then choose ISO file > " Next " and the tool creates the ISO file. In our example we take Linux Mint with Cinnamon desktop ( https://linuxmint.com ). If you already have the ISO files on your computer, you can skip this step.

2nd step:

Then download the WinSetupFromUSB tool from the manufacturer's website and extract the ZIP file, for example on the desktop. You will then find the EXE files here. Select the 32- or 64-bit version depending on your system and start it with a double click.

3rd step:

You can now see the WinSetupFromUSB user interface. This initially looks confusing, but is unproblematic after a single use. First select the target drive above , i.e. your SSD or USB stick. If it wasn't infected yet, you can do it now. If the data carrier does not appear, click on " Refresh ".

4th step:

Now check the " Auto-Format with fbinst " checkbox to activate the automatic formatting of the data carrier. Choose “ FAT32 ” if you have an EFI system, which is the case with most modern computers. Important: All data stored on the USB drive will be deleted as part of the next steps.

5th step:

Now add the Windows 10 ISO in the " Windows Vista / 7/8/10 ... " field by clicking on the three dots . You can confirm the warning that the file is too large for FAT32 and will therefore be split with " OK ". Repeat the process in the " Linux ISO / Other Grub4dos compatible ISO " field and insert the Linux ISO file here .

6th step:

That's it already. Now check again whether all the information is correct and, above all, whether you have selected the correct drive. If everything is correct, you can start creating the multiboot USB stick with " Go ". Two or three questions follow, for example if the drive is very large. You can confirm this with " Yes ". Then the stick is created.

7th step:

If necessary, a WinContig window will appear. You can click this away. Then WinSetupFromUSB completes the installation of Windows and Linux on the USB data carrier. As soon as the message “ Job done ” appears, you can click “ OK ” and close the program.

Multiboot USB stick: what is it for?

You can now try out the USB stick, for example by restarting your computer and selecting Boot from USB drive. Alternatively, you can test the stick with a virtual machine - for example in VirtualBox. If you can see the boot menu and select the system, you are on the safe side. By the way: Instead of the regular Windows ISO, you can also use a ready-made Windows - for example from WinPE or Hiren's BootCD - with this you also have a pre-installed Windows at hand.

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