ventoy.exe

What is ventoy.exe?

ventoy.exe is the Windows launcher component of Ventoy, a tool that creates bootable USB drives capable of holding multiple ISO images. When you start ventoy.exe or boot from a Ventoy USB, the launcher reads the ventoy.json configuration, detects ISO files, and builds a graphical boot menu that lets you pick an OS to boot.

Ventoy uses a two-stage boot loader; ventoy.exe operates in Windows to prepare the USB, load the Ventoy boot manager into memory, and manage config and ISO indexing. It is not a traditional single-ISO launcher; it orchestrates the boot environment for multi-ISO USB drives.

Types of Ventoy Processes

• Launcher Process: Ventoy.exe - Windows launcher that initializes Ventoy on USB
• ISO Discovery: Reads the contents of the Ventoy USB folder to detect available ISOs
• Boot Menu Builder: Constructs the on-screen menu based on ventoy.json and detected ISOs
• Config Handler: Parses ventoy.json for boot options and persistence
• Utility/Updater: Runs optional update/maintenance tasks like pulling config

Is ventoy.exe Safe?

Yes, ventoy.exe is safe when downloaded from official Ventoy sources (ventoy official site or GitHub) and used as intended.

Is ventoy.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real ventoy.exe is not a virus. However, ensure you download from official sources and verify the digital signature.

How to Tell if ventoy.exe is Legitimate or Malware

1. File Location: Must be in a Ventoy installation folder on a USB drive, e.g., F:\Ventoy\ventoy.exe, or C:\Ventoy\ventoy.exe on Windows installations.
2. Digital Signature: Right-click ventoy.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from 'Ventoy Project'.
3. Resource Usage: Normal usage is low CPU and modest memory. Abnormally high usage when idle is suspicious.
4. Behavior: Ventoy.exe should run only when you interact with Ventoy tooling or boot from a Ventoy USB.

Why Is ventoy.exe Running on My PC?

ventoy.exe runs when you interact with Ventoy on a USB drive, when preparing a Ventoy USB, or when the Windows tool checks for updates and index ISO files.

Reasons it's running:

• USB Boot Preparation: You're preparing or updating a Ventoy USB drive; ventoy.exe initializes the boot menu and copies required files.
• Drive Detection: Windows detects a Ventoy USB and launches ventoy.exe to index ISOs and present the boot menu.
• Configuration Load: Ventoy reads ventoy.json to apply boot menu options and persistence settings.
• Updater/Maintenance: Ventoy may run to check for updates or to apply maintenance tasks to the USB drive.
• Background Helper: In some setups, ventoy.exe may be started by a background helper or during system startup to ensure USB readiness.

Can I Disable or Remove ventoy.exe?

Yes, you can disable ventoy.exe. It is safe to disable Ventoy tooling if you won't use Ventoy USBs; you can remove or ignore the USB drive and uninstall the Windows utility if installed.

How to Stop ventoy.exe

• Close Ventoy Launcher: Exit the Ventoy Windows launcher if open.
• End Ventoy Task: Open Task Manager and end the ventoy.exe process.
• Remove USB Drive: Eject or unplug the Ventoy USB drive to stop indexing and boot menu updates.
• Uninstall Windows Tool: If you installed a Ventoy Windows utility, uninstall it from Apps & Features.
• Format USB Drive: Optional: Format the Ventoy USB drive to remove Ventoy partitions and files.

How to Uninstall Ventoy

• ✔ Disconnect any Ventoy USB drives and delete the Ventoy folder from the USB if you no longer need it.
• ✔ If you installed a Ventoy Windows utility, uninstall it from Apps & Features in Windows.
• ✔ Optionally reformat the USB drive to restore it to a standard USB disk.

Common Problems: Issues with Ventoy USB and ventoy.exe

If ventoy.exe or Ventoy USB boot has problems, check these common scenarios and solutions.

Common Causes & Solutions

• USB not booting in correct mode: Enter BIOS/UEFI and set USB as first boot device; choose the correct boot mode (UEFI or Legacy) to match the Ventoy disk.
• Not all ISOs appear in the menu: Ensure ISOs are placed directly on the Ventoy USB root or use ventoy.json to enable/disable menu entries; update Ventoy if needed.
• Ventoy menu shows only partial options: Check ventoy.json syntax and ensure there are no conflicting boot options; re-copy ISOs if necessary.
• Ventoy USB not detected by Windows: Try a different USB port, disable fast startup, and ensure the USB is properly prepared with Ventoy.
• USB drive becomes unreadable or corrupted: Re-create the Ventoy USB using the official ventoy2disk tool and re-copy ISOs.
• JSON config not loaded: Verify ventoy.json exists at the root of the Ventoy USB and is syntactically valid; correct any JSON formatting errors.

Related Processes