Can you partition a usb key ?
If i get a 64 gb usb key and want to make part a bootable drive then the rest a usable disk to copy files to and from for backup or transfer basis can this be done ?
How much space would I need to create a linux mint portion or puppy linux (thinking small size as dam small linux has not been updated for years).
Normally when you download a iso to create a boot it takes all the usb leaving no work space a d then locks the key if you want to update.
Ideally I would make a boot usb, get rid of libreoffice, vlc, thunderbird etc as not needed and just leave the basic system plus a browser, then resize the partition to suit the small space.
I think is possible, because a partition is created internally when is used Ventoy, I know this because in 2 networks I created a question about where to see the Ventoy already installed in the pendrive and a partition is involved.
Well, I would suggest use GParted to play with the pendrive.
You mean a flash drive?
Yeah, use gparted on it, same as you would on an internal disk.
Use GPT partition table
You want it bootable so make an efi system partition … about 500Mb
If you want legacy boot make a bios-grub partition … about 1Mb
Make an ext4 root patition … about 4Gb should be enough for a small linux
Make the rest your data partition … ext4 again or whatever you want
When you install the linux, ask it to write grub to
the efi partition if you want efi boot
the disk if you want legacy boot
(You can actually write grub to both, and it will boit either way)
Good luck
I’m pretty sure he does mean a flash drive.
I don’t know about other distros, but Linux Mint locks the whole flash drive.
I tried both Disks and gparted and neither one would let me create a partition in the free space on the flash drive after the ISO was written to it.
Hi Howard,
Thanks for bringing that issue to our notice.
I would not copy the iso to the flash drive.
What I would do is copy it to another flash drive, then boot from that and install onto the 64Gb flash drive ( do the partitioning first ).
You want an install, like you do to an internal disk, not a bootable iso copy.
I think an iso copy will always take the whole flash drive, unless you use Ventoy
You are correct, here we call usb keys you call flash drives, but they are the same a device with 64 gb memory and a usb connection, they may go under a different name elsewhere.
Yes linux mint when creating a bootable key takes on the whole drive does not matter if its 4gb or 64 gb and the partition of the key is erased so the whole key is used to boot from
I have not tried ventroy to see how that works so will add it to my list to do and try, not sure if just having an iso is enough ?
Yes, Ventoy will let you copy files to the usable space on the flash drive. I perform a test.
Download ventoy-1.0.97-lived.iso
Install Ventoy on the USB flash drive.
Boot the Ventoy flash drive and perform another install of Ventoy.
Now boot back to PC and you can now copy any file to the available space.
Most of the time people copy multi ISO to the available space, but any file can be copied there.
I dont see any chinese.
Do a virus scan on download
I personally would not use Ventoy.
Grub running on your internal disk will not detect a Ventoy usb drive , and therefore will not add it to your grub menu. A Ventoy usb drive will boot on its own, but not from your
running computer.
I found the Ventoy install from its download quite messy. It works outside the package system.
I got Ventoy from this site, Did not see any Chinese.
I have seen Ventoy reference several times here on It’s Foss. You can search for Ventoy. So far, I have not read anything about it being un-safe. But like @nevj said Ventoy is a standalone boot. People who like Ventoy use (or play) with several DIstro because they can have several ISO on one stick.
That side of it is great.
You need to realise that what you boot from a Ventoy disk is an iso… ie a live distro or an install script. That is different from booting a real installed linux that you can configure and write to.
In the end I have decided to specialise in lmde either 32 or 64 bit depending on the age or power of the machine.
Limited on my part, YES
Limited for my clients, YES
But it does allow me to be able to offer a better service by standards, I know the screens, can do it in any language, so fixes if needed are quicker.
Most software my clients need are in the repository and updated as needed.
I know some will question why linux mint, why debian, why not Xxxx.
I did prefer Mate up to now but ran foul a few years back when 20 would not upgrade to 21 without reinstall. Also its a bit more modern in look and feel cinnamon but no big revolution change.
So now no need for ventoy just carry 2 usb keys with me and 2 sets in the workshop.
Plus my faithfull puppy linux just in case.
99 % of my users are comming from windows and dont understand why there are so many options or how to choose.
Ok one stop solution may not be ideal but if you dont kniw any better, also windows has one flavour only difference is 8 to 10 to 11.
As we hit forced upgrade to 11 more and more are looking how to keep the box they paid a fortune for and dont understand why Microsoft is forcing sales on them and being obliged to buy new, thats my selling of linux point to them.
Cheaper to pay me for linux on older box than buy new box.