Install multiple operating systems on a USB stick

There are many practical advantages to installing multiple operating systems and rescue kits on one USB stick. We'll show you how to create the perfect boot stick.

Simple installation with Xboot

In addition to ISO downloads, many operating systems - including Windows - now also directly offer programs with which you can copy the data from the ISO to a USB stick and make it bootable. The entire stick is then often used, so that you cannot combine these processes arbitrarily to install several operating systems on the same stick. This is where Xboot helps.

1. Xboot is an operating system-independent program with which you can copy several start CDs onto the same USB stick.
2. The program is only one of many, but is characterized by ease of use and high speed.
3. First, download Xboot from the official website. You will receive a 5 MByte archive with only the Xboot-EXE.
4. Unzip the program to any location and run it.
5. Now you need the ISOs of the operating systems or rescue kits you want to combine. We provide Windows 7, Windows 8 and Linux.
6. You can simply drag the ISOs of your choice into the XBoot window. There you will see all ISOs and the required memory listed. Then click on "Create USB".
7. In the next menu, select the USB stick and a boot loader.
8. Depending on whether the stick was formatted in FAT32 or NTFS, either Syslinux or Grub4dos is recommended. It's best to stick to it, but of course you are free to choose the other options.
9. In any case, click on one of the boot loaders, otherwise the stick will not be bootable.
10. Now just confirm and wait - you already have a bootable USB stick with several operating systems. In the | picture gallery we show the most important steps again.

Multi-boot USB stick with the Linux alternative YUMI

Of course there is also a program from the Linux community that combines several operating systems for you on one USB stick. YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Integrator) is available for both Windows and Linux and is almost as easy to use as XBoot.

1. If you download YUMI, you will receive an unpacked program of almost 1 MB.
2. In the first step, select the correct USB stick.
3. Then YUMI provides you with an almost endless list of potential ISOs. YUMI will do some work for you if you are planning unconventional installations.
4. This also has the advantage that YUMI hides the ISOs that do not match your selection in the last step, so you are guaranteed to only install what you really want to install. Sometimes YUMI even automatically detects the correct ISO file on your computer.
5. If you now click on "Create", YUMI will go ahead and install the first operating system or rescue kit.
6. Once that is complete, you will be asked if you want to install additional systems and can repeat the previous steps as often as you want to install multiple operating systems
7. If at some point you find that you no longer need one of the installations, YUMI is also good at uninstalling. Simply change the mode and you will see all the existing installations and can easily remove them.
8. You can find more about YUMI in our picture gallery

Alternatives for multiple operating system installations

XBoot and YUMI are of course not the only programs of this kind. If you are unsuccessful with either, a look at MultiBootUSB, the SARDU multiboot USB creator and LoveUSB MultiBoot is also worthwhile.

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How it works in Xboot: Simply drag the ISOs into the program and click on "Create USB".

Select the USB stick and stick to the recommendation that is displayed with (recommended).

Now all you need is a little patience and the USB stick is ready.

YUMI guides you step by step. First select the USB stick here.

Then make a preliminary decision: Which operating system do you want to install?

Now YUMI helps you find the right ISO file.

When you are finished with the first installation, YUMI asks if you want to add other programs to the stick. If you actually want to install more, click "Yes".

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Uninstalling is also child's play with YUMI. Simply tick the box and it will be deleted instead of installed.