Part 2: Install Windows 11 along Ventoy in a VHD file

NOTE: For slow USB drives or connectivity, it is recommended to perform this part on a local disk and then move the VM directory to the USB drive.

Step 1: Create the Windows VM

Run VirtualBox

  • New virtual machine
  • Name it "VentWin"
  • For VM folder, use the "VentWin" partition (VirtualBox will create a directory "VentWin")
  • Choose the Windows 11 install ISO
  • Select desired OS Edition (Windows 11 Pro is a good choice)
  • Use unattended setup
  • Set preferred username, password, host and domain name
  • Install guest additions, they won't interfere when booted natively
  • Change virtual disk type to VHD, check "pre-allocate full size"
  • For size, use the available space reported on VentWin minus 1 GiB
  • Finish
  • Creating the pre-allocated VHD will take a while
  • When prompted, press a key to boot from CD/DVD (reset the VM if you failed)
  • Unattend the installation

Step 2: Prepare Windows to be booted from Ventoy

Recent versions of Windows 11 by default pre-encrypt the disk, which needs to be undone (future Ventoy may support encryption)

  • Right click start menu, choose System
  • Click Privacy & security
  • Click Device encryption, turn it off
  • Wait for decryption to complete
  • Shutdown the VM

Step 3: The custom grub menu

On the host

  • Create a directory /ventoy on the Ventoy partition
  • Download the latest ventoy_vhdboot.img.gz (documentation for reference)
  • Unzip ventoy_vhdboot.img into /ventoy.
  • Edit or create /ventoy/ventoy_grub.cfg and add this 
    # Windows
set win11_vhd_path="/VentWin/VentWin.vhd"
set win11_vhd_partname="VentWin"
menuentry "Windows 11" {
    if search --no-floppy --set win11_vhd_part --label $win11_vhd_partname; then
        vhdboot_common_func "($win11_vhd_part)$win11_vhd_path"
    else
        echo "$win11_vhd_partname not found"
    fi
}

USB boot to verify the custom Ventoy menu works (access via F6).

  • Have UniGetUI install your favorite tools, create a .ubundle file
    ... and / or have portable apps on the VentMore partition
  • Manage Windows Updates by blocking (download) and unblocking them. Prefer doing updates when booted virtually and with fast connectivity. Always do updates before surfing the internet!

Up next: Ubuntu

Continue with Part 3: Install Ubuntu (or Debian) along Ventoy in VHD files