YUMI exFAT

YUMI exFAT is a free, open-source Windows application that creates multiboot USB drives supporting exFAT, files over 4GB, BIOS and UEFI boot, and persistent storage for Linux distributions. It lets you store multiple ISO files (Linux distros, Windows installers, antivirus rescue disks, and system recovery tools) on a single USB flash drive and select what to boot from a menu at startup.

YUMI exFAT multiboot USB creator software interface

YUMI exFAT Multiboot USB flash drive showing boot menu
YUMI exFAT Multiboot USB boot menu

With BIOS and UEFI compatibility, YUMI lets you boot live Linux distros, Windows installers, antivirus tools, disk cloning apps, forensic utilities, and more – all without using complex terminal commands.

What Is YUMI exFAT?

YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Installer) exFAT edition replaces older tools like the UUI – bootable USB software and legacy Multiboot ISOs tools. It creates a clean folder structure on the USB drive, storing each ISO in a dedicated directory, so your drive remains both a bootable medium and a standard storage device accessible from Windows.

Although originally designed for live Linux environments, YUMI is equally capable of installing Linux or Windows from USB. If you encounter compatibility issues with specific distributions, your feedback helps improve future versions.

YUMI exFAT Ultimate Multiboot USB Tool
[ ▶︎ ] YUMI All in One multiboot bootable USB flash drive creation

Key Advantages of YUMI exFAT

  • Supports large ISOs: exFAT formatting removes the 4GB file size limit, making it compatible with modern OS images and large Windows installers.
  • BIOS + UEFI ready: Works seamlessly with both legacy and modern firmware for broad device compatibility.
  • Persistent storage support: Save files, settings, and installed packages across reboots in live Linux sessions – up to 40GB on supported distros, stored as a loopback file on the exFAT partition with no separate Linux partition required.
  • Drag and drop ISO support: Place ISOs in the YUMI folder or any sub-folder under it and they appear in the boot menu automatically.
  • Ventoy integration: Uses the Ventoy bootloader for enhanced ISO compatibility and flexibility.
  • Free and open source: All versions ship with full source code at the time of release.

How YUMI exFAT Works

  1. Run the Windows-based installer.
  2. Choose your USB drive – YUMI auto-detects all connected volumes.
  3. Select an ISO or use drag‑and‑drop to add additional files.
  4. (Optional) Set a persistent file size for supported Linux distributions.
  5. Click Create – YUMI partitions the drive, adding a FAT32 bootloader and an exFAT storage volume.
  6. Boot from USB to access your live or installable environments from the boot menu.

Download YUMI exFAT – Multiboot USB Creator

Updated: 11 June, 2026 YUMI-exFAT-1.0.4.0.exe SHA-256: 163cd553648cacbeea50efe33a227e561884f3aeeb84cba1671a9248e41d89c4 Download YUMI exFAT YUMI-exFAT-1.0.4.0.exe YUMI Source

Important: Preparing the USB will erase all existing partitions. Back up any important files before proceeding.

Changelog

Only changes from the past year are shown.

  • 06/11/2026 – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.4.0.exe: Expanded: the distro and tools list with additional popular Linux ISO entries.
    Updated: several distro homepage and download links, including Ubuntu Unity, Garuda Linux, Arch Linux, Fedora, Manjaro, and SystemRescue.
    Fixed: ISOs added via drag and drop (or manually copied to the drive) are now listed in the removal dropdown alongside normally installed distros.
    Improved: Stale entries in Installed.txt (where the file was deleted manually) are now pruned automatically when the removal list is built, preventing ghost entries from appearing.
  • 06/08/2026 – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.9.exe: Fixed volume label never being set to YUMI after disk preparation. Fixed selected disk not being restored when returning to the drive selection page after preparation.
  • – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.8.exe: Updated to Ventoy 1.1.12 bootloader, addressing: Ubuntu 24.04.4 install failure; VirtualBox UEFI display issue when booting Windows; UEFI boot Windows/WinPE resolution issue; Oracle Linux 6.9 install issue.
  • – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.7.exe: Updated to Ventoy 1.1.11 bootloader.
  • – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.6.exe: Fixed broken 32GB persistence file pointer for Debian.
  • – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.5.exe: Added preparation menu with options for reserving unformatted space and selecting the storage filesystem.
  • – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.4.exe: Fixed Debian persistence. Disabled automatic update checking at runtime.
  • – YUMI-exFAT-1.0.3.3.exe: Added AerynOS entry. Updated to Ventoy 1.1.10 bootloader, addressing: LinuxGUI crash in Wayland; Kylin Server V11 boot issue; Windows boot issue in F2 mode; vhd.vtoy boot issue on ext4.

System Requirements & Tips

  • A USB drive (8GB minimum; 64GB-1TB recommended)
  • Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11
  • A computer capable of booting from USB
  • The YUMI installer and your desired ISO files

For best performance, use a fast flash drive – see our fastest USB flash drives guide.

User Instructions

The following instructions cover creating a multiboot bootable USB flash drive using YUMI exFAT on both Windows and Linux.

On Windows

  1. Run YUMI and follow the on-screen prompts:
    (1.) Select and prepare your USB drive.
    (2.) Select a distribution or tool to add.
    (3.) Browse to the ISO file (or select Download to fetch it).
    (4.) Optionally set a persistent file size.
    (5.) Click Create.
YUMI exFAT Preparing USB drive
Preparing a bootable USB drive with YUMI exFAT
YUMI exFAT copying Linux ISO to multiboot USB flash drive
YUMI copying a Linux ISO to the multiboot USB drive
  • Re-run YUMI at any time to add or remove ISOs.
  • Restart and select the USB drive from your BIOS/UEFI boot menu.
  • Choose the desired OS or tool from the YUMI boot menu.

On Linux (Ubuntu)

  1. Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T)
  2. Run the following commands: 
    cd ~/Desktop
wget https://yumiusb.com/downloads/YUMI/YUMI4Linux.tar.gz
tar xzvf YUMI4Linux.tar.gz
cd YUMI4Linux
chmod +x ./YUMI.sh && sudo ./YUMI.sh
  3. The script launches the Windows .exe via WINE to prepare your USB drive.
  4. Reconnect the USB and run additional YUMI operations later with: 
    wine YUMI-exFAT-*.exe

How YUMI Multisystem USB Works

YUMI places each ISO in its own folder and updates the boot menu automatically. You can also add ISOs manually – drop them into the YUMI folder on the USB drive and they will appear in the boot menu on next boot.

Note: YUMI exFAT is not backwards compatible with older MultibootISO or legacy YUMI variants. If switching, reformat the drive and start fresh.

Booting from a USB Flash Drive

Once your multiboot USB is ready, follow these steps to boot from it:

  1. Enter BIOS or UEFI settings – Restart your computer and press F2, F12, Delete, or Esc during startup (refer to your motherboard manual for the correct key).
  2. Change the boot order – Navigate to the Boot or Boot Order section and set the USB drive as the first boot device.
  3. Save and exit – Save your changes and exit BIOS/UEFI. Your system will restart.
  4. Select an OS from the boot menu – Choose the operating system or tool you want to launch and press Enter. Follow any additional prompts.

If all went well, you are now booting from your custom multiboot USB drive.

Supported Bootable USB Operating Systems & Tools

Below is a categorized list of bootable ISO distributions that can be added and launched from a USB flash drive using YUMI exFAT. Categories include mainstream Linux live environments, lightweight distros, penetration testing suites, antivirus rescue disks, system recovery utilities, and Windows installers.

Linux Distributions (Live & Install)

Arch & Arch-based

  • Arch Linux (persistence supported)
  • Manjaro, EndeavourOS

Other Popular Linux Distros

  • OpenSUSE
  • AntiX, Bodhi, Clear Linux, CAELinux
  • Zorin OS, Netrunner, PCLinuxOS
  • ChaletOS, SolydX, PureOS, KNOPPIX

Lightweight & Netbook-Friendly Linux Distros

Puppy Linux

Lucid, Slacko, Fatdog64, Precise, Racy, Wary

Other Lightweight Options

Penetration Testing & Security Distributions

Bootable USB-ready ethical hacking and cybersecurity distros:

Antivirus Rescue Tools

Recovery Disks

  • AVG Rescue, Kaspersky Rescue Disk, Bitdefender, Panda SafeCD
  • Dr.Web, GDATA, F-Secure, AVIRA AntiVir
  • Windows Defender Offline

System Recovery & Disk Tools

Bootable USB utilities for data recovery, backup, partitioning, and diagnostics:

Examples

  • Clonezilla USB, GParted, DBAN, Redo Backup
  • Ultimate Boot CD, Trinity Rescue Kit, Rescatux
  • Ophcrack, Hiren’s Boot CD, Falcon 4 PE

Windows Installers & Boot Tools

Unlisted & Custom ISO/IMG Support

YUMI also supports many unlisted and custom formats via drag and drop:

  • Unlisted ISO, IMG, WIM, VHD(x), VDI, and EFI files – drop them into the YUMI folder and they appear in the boot menu automatically.

What Makes a Linux Distro USB Bootable?

A bootable Linux ISO contains a compressed, self-contained live operating system that loads directly into RAM from the USB drive. YUMI automates the entire setup – extracting boot files, configuring persistence where available, and building a boot menu – so no manual configuration is needed. YUMI exFAT specifically enables:

  • ISO files larger than 4GB (no FAT32 file size restriction)
  • Persistent storage for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch-based systems
  • Multiple bootable OS entries on a single flash drive
  • Both BIOS and UEFI boot modes from one drive

How to Choose the Right Bootable Distribution

The right bootable distro depends on your use case:

  • System recovery: Clonezilla, Kali Linux, or Debian Live.
  • Security and penetration testing: Kali Linux USB, BackBox, or Matriux.
  • Daily use or portable desktop: Linux Mint, Ubuntu, or Zorin OS.
  • Older or low-spec hardware: Puppy Linux, TinyCore, or Slitaz.

You can also test unlisted ISOs directly – drop them into the YUMI folder on the drive and boot. If compatible, they appear in the boot menu automatically.

Download Verified ISOs

Always download ISO files directly from official project websites or trusted mirrors. Verify file integrity using the provided SHA-256 or MD5 checksums before use. For step-by-step creation guides covering most supported ISOs, visit our official partner site: bootable USB flash drive tutorials.

Debian Live Persistence on YUMI exFAT

YUMI exFAT supports persistent storage for Debian Live systems using a loopback persistence file stored directly on the USB drive. This allows Debian to retain installed packages, configuration changes, and user data across reboots while running in live mode – without requiring a dedicated Linux partition.

YUMI includes pre-created compressed sparse Debian persistence images in 2GB, 8GB, and 16GB sizes. When enabled, the file is automatically detected and attached at boot. Because persistence is stored as a loopback file on the exFAT volume, the drive remains fully accessible from Windows.

Expanding Debian Persistence Storage

If more space is needed, replace the default persistence image with a larger loopback file:

  • Create and extract the new persistence file to the YUMI/Linux-ISOs/ directory on the USB drive.
  • Overwrite the existing persistence file.
  • Keep the filename exactly the same as the original.

The Debian live boot process relies on the persistence filename and location to attach it at startup. No additional configuration or boot parameters are required as long as these remain unchanged.

Example persistence filename:

debian-live-13.3.0-amd64-gnome.persistence

Why Debian Persistence Behaves Differently

Recent Debian Live releases changed how persistence is handled. Unlike Ubuntu or Arch-based live systems, Debian now enforces a specific persistence layout. Modern Debian Live images require:

  • A persistence file or volume named and labeled persistence
  • A persistence.conf file inside the persistence image
  • The entry / union inside persistence.conf
  • The persistence boot parameter present at startup

YUMI exFAT 1.0.3.4 includes fixes that restore reliable Debian Live persistence support following these upstream changes.

Filesystem Compatibility

Debian persistence on YUMI exFAT operates entirely from a loopback file rather than a dedicated Linux partition. This keeps the USB drive compatible with Windows and functional within multiboot configurations, with no repartitioning needed.

Debian vs Ubuntu Persistence on YUMI exFAT

Both Debian and Ubuntu support persistent live USB sessions in YUMI exFAT, but they handle persistence differently. Ubuntu uses the casper system with a persistence file named casper-rw, which YUMI creates and manages automatically. Debian Live uses the live-boot framework and requires a file labeled persistence containing a persistence.conf with a defined union layout. Debian persistence is therefore stricter about file naming and internal structure, while Ubuntu persistence works out of the box in most cases.

Troubleshooting & Tips

Exclude a Drive from the Media Creation Tool

To prevent YUMI from detecting a specific drive, place an empty file named excludedrive.txt in the root of that drive.

Boot Fixes

  • Add the acpi=off kernel parameter for laptops with ACPI conflicts (common on some Lenovo models).
  • For floppy errors (fd0), add floppy.allowed_drive_mask=0 as a boot parameter or disable floppy in BIOS.
  • For Tails on SanDisk drives detected as “fixed” media, remove live-media=removable from the boot configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are the most common questions from YUMI exFAT users:

What Linux distributions can I boot from USB?

YUMI exFAT supports hundreds of Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint, Arch Linux, Kali Linux, Puppy Linux, and many more. Most distributions are supported in both Live and Persistent modes, with persistence stored as a loopback file on the exFAT partition – no separate Linux partition required.

Can I run multiple bootable ISOs from one USB flash drive?

Yes. YUMI stores each ISO in its own folder on the drive and builds a boot menu automatically. At startup, you select which operating system or tool to launch. You can add or remove ISOs at any time by re-running YUMI.

Can I use YUMI to install Windows from a USB stick?

Yes. YUMI supports bootable Windows installers for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. The exFAT variant also supports booting Windows directly from a VHD or VHDx file stored on the USB drive, without modifying your existing system.

What is persistent storage and how does it work?

Persistent storage lets you save files, settings, and installed packages when running a live Linux distribution. YUMI creates a loopback persistence file on the exFAT partition – up to 40GB on supported distros including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch-based systems – which is automatically attached at boot without requiring a dedicated partition.

Can I try unsupported ISOs with YUMI?

Yes. YUMI supports unlisted ISO, IMG, WIM, VHD(x), VDI, and EFI files via drag and drop. Copy the file to the YUMI folder on the USB drive, and if the format is compatible, it will appear in the boot menu automatically on next boot.

Why Choose YUMI exFAT for Multiboot USB Creation?

YUMI exFAT is the most capable free multiboot USB creator for Windows, combining exFAT support for large files, Ventoy bootloader integration, BIOS and UEFI compatibility, optional persistent storage, and drag-and-drop ISO support in a single portable executable that requires no installation.

  • No file size limit – supports ISO files over 4GB
  • Drag and drop any ISO, IMG, VHD, or EFI file directly to the USB
  • Live Linux download links and author site references included
  • Dual BIOS/UEFI firmware support
  • Optional persistent storage up to 40GB for supported distros
  • Free, open source, and actively maintained

Always back up your data before preparing the drive. If you need help, encounter an issue, or want to request support for a new distribution, please get in touch.

Happy booting!