Are you getting a “Verification failed” error when trying to boot Ventoy? You can turn on Secure Boot in Ventoy in just a few minutes. When you boot a Ventoy USB drive on a computer with Secure Boot enabled, you’ll see an error screen.
This is normal and fixable. The solution is to either enroll Ventoy’s security key into your system or temporarily disable Secure Boot. Since version 1.0.76, Ventoy includes Secure Boot support by default, making it work with modern computers that require this security feature.
What Is Secure Boot and Why Does Ventoy Need It?
Secure Boot is a security feature built into modern computers. It checks if the software trying to start your computer is trusted. Think of it like a security guard checking IDs at a door.
Ventoy is a tool that lets you put multiple operating systems on one USB drive. You don’t need to format the drive each time – just copy ISO files and boot them. But when Secure Boot is on, it might block Ventoy because it doesn’t recognize it as trusted software.
The good news: You can easily enable Secure Boot support for Ventoy by following a few simple steps. This guide will show you exactly how to do it.
Why You’re Getting the Ventoy Secure Boot Verification Failed Error?
When you see the Ventoy secure boot Verification failed message, your computer is doing its job. It’s protecting you from potentially harmful software.
The error looks like this:
- Verification failed: (0x1A) Security Violation
- Verification failed: (15) Access Denied
- Failed to open \EFI\BOOT\ – Not Found
These messages appear because:
- Your computer’s Secure Boot doesn’t trust Ventoy yet
- Ventoy’s security certificate isn’t in your system’s trusted list
- Your Ventoy version might be outdated (pre-1.0.76)
Two Ways to Fix Ventoy Secure Boot Issues
Before we dive into details, here’s what you need to know:
Option 1: Enroll Ventoy’s Key (Recommended)
- Works permanently
- Takes 2 minutes
- Keep Secure Boot enabled
Option 2: Disable Secure Boot
- Works immediately
- Less secure
- Temporary solution
Now let’s walk through each method step by step.
Method 1: How to Enable Secure Boot Support for Ventoy (Enroll Key)
This is the best way to enable Secure Boot support for Ventoy. You’ll add Ventoy’s security certificate to your computer’s trusted list.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Boot from your Ventoy USB drive
- You’ll see the “Verification failed” error
- Press Enter to continue
- Access the MOK Management screen
- Press any key when prompted
- You’ll see a blue screen with options
- Select “Enroll key from disk”
- Use the arrow keys to highlight it
- Press Enter
- Find the Ventoy certificate
- Select VTOYEFI
- Press Enter
- Choose ENROLL_THIS_KEY_IN_MOKMANAGER.cer
- Press Enter again
- Confirm the enrollment
- Select Continue
- Choose Yes to confirm
- Select Reboot
After restarting, your Ventoy USB will work perfectly with Secure Boot enabled!
What If the Key Method Doesn’t Work?
Some computers need a different approach. Here’s the alternative hash method:
- Follow steps 1-2 above
- Select “Enroll hash from disk” instead
- Navigate to: VTOYEFI > EFI > BOOT
- Select grubx64.efi
- Continue > Yes > Reboot
This method trusts the specific Ventoy version you’re using. You might need to repeat it after Ventoy updates.
Method 2: Disable Secure Boot in BIOS
If the enrollment methods don’t work, you can temporarily disable Secure Boot. This is how to on secure boot support for Ventoy when other methods fail.
Steps to Disable Secure Boot:
- Enter BIOS Setup
- Restart your computer
- Press the BIOS key (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC)
- The key appears on screen during startup
- Find Security Settings
- Look for the “Security” or “Boot” tab
- Find the “Secure Boot” option
- Disable Secure Boot
- Change from “Enabled” to “Disabled”
- Save changes (usually F10)
- Exit BIOS
Important: Remember to re-enable Secure Boot after using Ventoy for better security.
Creating a Ventoy Drive with Secure Boot Support
Want to avoid these issues from the start? Here’s how to enable secure boot support for Ventoy when creating your USB:
For Windows Users:
- Download Ventoy from the official website
- Run Ventoy2Disk.exe
- Click the “Options” menu
- Check “Secure Boot Support”
- Select your USB drive
- Click “Install”
For Linux Users:
Use the command line with the -s option:
sudo sh Ventoy2Disk.sh -i -s /dev/sdX
Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device name.
Comparison: Ventoy Secure Boot Methods
Method | Time Required | Permanent | Keeps Security | Difficulty |
Enroll Key | 2 minutes | Yes | Yes | Easy |
Enroll Hash | 2 minutes | Until Update | Yes | Easy |
Disable Secure Boot | 1 minute | No | No | Very Easy |
Create with Support | 5 minutes | Yes | Yes | Easy |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using outdated Ventoy versions
- Always use version 1.0.76 or newer
- Older versions don’t have automatic Secure Boot support
- Selecting the wrong certificate file
- Must be ENROLL_THIS_KEY_IN_MOKMANAGER.cer
- Other files won’t work
- Forgetting to save BIOS changes
- Always save before exiting BIOS
- Changes won’t apply otherwise
- Mixing partition styles
- Use GPT for UEFI systems
- Use MBR for Legacy BIOS
Pro Tips for Ventoy Secure Boot Success
- Check your Ventoy version first – Look at the bottom left corner of the Ventoy menu
- Use official downloads only – Get Ventoy from ventoy.net to avoid modified versions
- Keep a backup method – Have another bootable USB ready just in case
- Document your BIOS key – Write down which key enters BIOS for your computer
- Test after enrollment – Restart twice to ensure the key stays enrolled
Troubleshooting Specific Error Messages
“Linpus lite” Error Screen
This means your computer isn’t compatible with Ventoy’s Secure Boot solution. Your only option is to disable Secure Boot in the BIOS.
“Failed to load image: Security Policy Violation”
This happens on some Dell and HP computers. Try the hash enrollment method first. If that fails, disable Secure Boot.
“Operation System Loader signature found in SecureBoot exclusion database”
Your system has blocked Ventoy’s signature. You’ll need to:
- Update to the latest Ventoy version
- Recreate your USB with Secure Boot support enabled
- Try the enrollment process again
Advanced Solutions for Persistent Issues
If you’re still having trouble, try these advanced fixes:
- Update your BIOS/UEFI firmware
- Check your computer manufacturer’s website
- Newer firmware often fixes compatibility issues
- Use Ventoy’s partition style options
- Try GPT instead of MBR
- Some UEFI systems only recognize GPT
- Check for conflicting security software
- Some antivirus programs interfere with boot processes
- Temporarily disable them during USB creation
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ventoy show “Verification failed” even though I enabled Secure Boot support?
This is normal behavior when first booting a Ventoy drive with Secure Boot enabled. The error appears because your computer hasn’t trusted Ventoy’s certificate yet. Follow the enrollment steps above to fix it permanently. This one-time process adds Ventoy to your computer’s trusted list.
Can I use Ventoy with Secure Boot on Windows 11?
Yes! Windows 11 requires Secure Boot, and Ventoy works perfectly with it. Make sure you’re using Ventoy version 1.0.76 or newer. Create your USB with Secure Boot support enabled, then enroll the key when you first boot. After that, you can install Windows 11 without any issues.
What’s the difference between enrolling a key and enrolling a hash?
Enrolling a key trusts all future versions of Ventoy signed with that certificate. It’s the permanent solution. Enrolling a hash only trusts the specific bootloader file you’re using right now. If Ventoy updates its bootloader, you’ll need to enroll the hash again. That’s why we recommend enrolling the key.
Is it safe to disable Secure Boot to use Ventoy?
Disabling Secure Boot temporarily is generally safe, but it does reduce your security. Secure Boot protects against rootkits and boot-level malware. If you must disable it, remember to re-enable it after you’re done using Ventoy. The key enrollment method is much safer.
Why doesn’t Ventoy work on my Dell/HP/Lenovo laptop even with Secure Boot support?
Some manufacturers use additional security restrictions beyond standard Secure Boot. Dell computers might show “Operating System Loader signature found in SecureBoot exclusion database.” For these systems, you may need to disable Secure Boot entirely or check for BIOS updates that improve compatibility.
Do I need to enroll the key every time I use Ventoy?
No! Once you enroll Ventoy’s key, it stays in your computer’s MOK database permanently. You can use any Ventoy USB drive on that computer without repeating the process. The enrollment is per-computer, not per-USB drive.
What if I see a garbled or unreadable MOK management screen?
This happens on some systems with display compatibility issues. The menu is still working – you just can’t see it clearly. Follow these blind steps: Press down arrow 3 times, Enter, down arrow once, Enter, down arrow once, Enter, down arrow 7 times, Enter, then wait for reboot.
Conclusion
Getting Secure Boot to work with Ventoy is easier than it seems. The key enrollment method takes just 2 minutes and works permanently. For most users, this is the best solution.
Remember these key points:
- Use Ventoy 1.0.76 or newer for automatic Secure Boot support
- Enroll the key on first boot for permanent access
- Keep Secure Boot enabled for better security
- Update your BIOS if you have compatibility issues
Now you know exactly how to turn on Secure Boot in Ventoy and fix any verification errors. Whether you choose to enroll Ventoy’s key or temporarily disable Secure Boot, you can get your multiboot USB working quickly.
Happy booting!