Kali Linux backend files for ventoy persistence storage
This repository provides a simple walkthrough to create a persistence.dat file for Kali Linux on a Ventoy USB. With persistence enabled, you can save files and settings across reboots when running Kali from the Ventoy menu.
Prerequisites
A USB drive with Ventoy already installed.
A Linux system with tar, sudo, and basic Linux command‑line tools.
Kali Linux ISO (e.g., kali-linux-2024.1-live-amd64.iso).
At least 8 GB of free space on the Ventoy drive for persistence.
- Download & Extract Ventoy for Linux
Visit the Ventoy Releases page(https://github.com/ventoy/Ventoy/releases) and download ventoy-1.1.05-linux.tar.gz (or the latest version).
Extract the archive and change into the directory:
tar -xvzf ventoy-1.1.05-linux.tar.gz cd ventoy-1.1.05
- Create the Persistence Image(or Download from this repo if 8gb or greater, else use this link for 4gb files: https://github.com/ventoy/backend/releases)
If you have downloaded the file then skip Step 2.
Use the included script to generate an 8 GB persistence file named persistence.dat:
sudo ./CreatePersistentImg.sh -s 8192 -l persistence -c persistence.conf
-s 8192 sets the size to 8 GB.
-l persistence labels the volume (required by Kali).
-c persistence.conf creates a default persistence.conf inside the image.
A file named persistence.dat will be created in your current directory.
- Copy the Persistence File to Your Ventoy USB
Plug in your Ventoy USB and identify its mount point. For example:
lsblk
Copy the persistence.dat file to the Ventoy root (adjust the path and label as needed):
sudo cp persistence.dat /run/media/$USER/Ventoy/
- Configure Ventoy for Kali Persistence(https://www.ventoy.net/en/plugin_persistence.html)
Ventoy supports JSON‑based plugins to enable persistence for specific ISOs.
Create the Ventoy plugin directory on your USB:
mkdir -p /run/media/$USER/Ventoy/ventoy
Create or edit ventoy.json:
nano /run/media/$USER/Ventoy/ventoy/ventoy.json
Paste the following configuration, updating the ISO filename if necessary:
{ "persistence": [ { "image": "/kali-linux-2024.1-live-amd64.iso", "backend": "/persistence.dat" } ] }
Save (Ctrl+O) and exit (Ctrl+X).
For a GUI‑based approach, consider using the Ventoy plugson plugin.(https://www.ventoy.net/en/plugin_plugson.html)
- Boot Kali with Persistence
Reboot your system and boot from the Ventoy USB.
Select your Kali ISO entry.
Choose the persistence menu option.
Once Kali loads, test by creating a file or changing a setting.
Reboot again and load the persistence option to verify your changes have been saved.