How to Turn One USB Drive into a Multi‑Boot Installer with YUMI

Background

Typically a USB flash drive can only hold one system installation disk, such as a Windows 10 installer. If you later need Linux, WinPE, or other installers, you must recreate the USB, wasting time and the remaining capacity of large drives. YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Integrator) is a free portable USB multiboot creator that lets you put many ISO images on a single USB and create a multiboot installation disk.

YUMI official site: https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator

Install YUMI

YUMI currently supports Windows and Linux platforms and offers two versions: Legacy and UEFI. Choose the version that matches your BIOS boot mode.

1. Windows platform

Installation on Windows is straightforward; just run the executable.

# Legacy version download
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/downloads/YUMI/YUMI-2.0.6.9.exe

# UEFI version download
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/downloads/YUMI/YUMI-UEFI-0.0.1.9.exe

2. Linux platform

Installation on Linux is more complex; refer to the official documentation or use the Windows version if possible.

Official documentation: https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator#HowTo

Using YUMI to Create a Multi‑System Boot Disk

Using YUMI is simple. Insert the USB drive, run YUMI, and follow four steps:

Step 1: Select the USB drive letter.

Step 2: Choose a name for the operating system you want to add.

Step 3: Browse and select the previously downloaded ISO image for that system.

Step 4: Click Create to start the creation process.

Note: YUMI can create only one system at a time; repeat the steps to add additional systems.

Booting Multiple Systems with YUMI

After the USB installer is ready, set the USB as the first boot device in the BIOS. YUMI will present a Multiboot menu from which you can select the desired system to install.

Removing Installed Systems

To delete one or more systems from the USB, run YUMI again, check “You’re in Uninstaller Model,” and the list of installed systems will appear. Select the unwanted system(s) and click Remove. Repeat to delete multiple systems.

Summary

For users who frequently need to install or maintain computers, YUMI is a powerful tool that can combine Windows 10, WinPE, Linux, and other operating systems onto a single USB drive, making maintenance and installation much easier.

References

https://www.iplaysoft.com/yumi.html

https://blog.shiyunhong.com/3012.html