SARDU (Shardana Antivirus Rescue Disk Utility) is Windows and Linux based multiboot USB Creator. The utility can also be used to create a multiboot CD or DVD. It enables you to create a multiboot UFD containing your basic essential utilities, antivirus, Live Linux, and Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP Installers. On top of that, this bootable USB software offers the built in ability to defragment your USB Drive, and burn an ISO to CD or DVD.
SARDU is Multiboot USB Creator Tool
SARDU is neat USB boot maker software tool created by Davide Costa. It can be used to create a multiboot USB drive or DVD housing various Live Linux bootable operating systems, Windows setup installers, offline antivirus scanners and other utility tools. Here are its most commonly known features:
- Multiboot USB/DVD Creation: SARDU stands out by allowing users to create not only a multiboot USB but also a DVD with multiple bootable ISO images. This makes it easy to store various OS installations, system utilities, and recovery tools on a single device.
- Multiple USB Windows Setup Installers: Can be used to store and run the most widely used Windows Installers from one single USB.
- Live Linux ISO support: Can be used to store multiple Live Linux ISO files on the same USB drive.
- Bootable Antivirus Tools: Supports several well known stand alone antivirus rescue disks, allowing users to include multiple antivirus solutions on a single bootable medium.
- Bootable System Recovery Tools: Supports various system recovery and diagnostic tools, such as partition managers, disk cloning software, and system repair utilities.
SARDU Specifications
- Authors Website: Project Home Page
- Developer: Originally created by Davide Costa
- Release Date: It was first released in 2010
Note: This post was originally written Jan 2011, at that time, this tool was freely available. However, it appears that there are now free and pro versions. As a result, the free version may no longer include all of the features it once did.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is SARDU?
- SARDU (Shardana Antivirus Rescue Disk Utility) is a multiboot USB and DVD creation tool that allows users to store multiple bootable ISOs, including Linux distros, Windows installers, and antivirus utilities.
- Is SARDU free?
- Both a free and a pro version are available. The free version includes basic features, while the pro version unlocks additional functionality.
- What are some SARDU alternatives?
- Some popular alternatives include YUMI, Rufus, and Ventoy.
- Does SARDU work with UEFI?
- Yes, it supports both BIOS and UEFI boot modes, but you may need to disable Secure Boot in some cases.
Making a Multiboot USB with SARDU (Windows)
To create a Multiboot USB bootable flash drive using SARDU from within Windows:
- Download SARDU, unzip or untar and run latest free version.
- (1.) Click the ISO Icon to select the folder containing your ISO files.
(2.) Select your USB Drive.
(3.) Click the Flash Drive Icon to Create the Multi-Bootable USB.
- Once the utility has finished:
(1.) Leave your flash drive inserted and restart your PC.
(2.) During system post, enter the UEFI/BIOS using your motherboard hotkey.
(3.) Set your system to boot from the USB drive, and then save changes (F10).
(4.) Proceed to boot from your flash drive, and enjoy.
Create a Multiboot USB Drive with SARDU (Linux)
A Linux version is available that can be run directly without the need for Wine. Here's how you can use it:
- Download SARDU for Linux: Select the Linux version and download the tarball (.tar.gz) file.
- Open your terminal and navigate to the folder where the tarball was downloaded:
cd ~/Downloads - Extract the tarball with the following command. Replacing * with the specifically downloaded version:
tar -xzf sardu_*-linux.tar.gz - After extracting the files, navigate into the extracted directory:
cd sardu-linux - Run SARDU using the command:
./sardu - Once running, select your ISOs, choose the USB drive, and proceed with your bootable creation.
Troubleshooting Common SARDU Issues
Encountering issues? Here are some common problems and solutions:
- USB Drive Not Recognized
- Make sure your USB drive is formatted as FAT32 or NTFS. Additionally, try a different USB port and ensure the drive is properly connected.
- ISO Files Not Detected
- Ensure that the ISO files are in a folder specified within SARDU. Confirm that the ISOs are compatible (e.g., supported Linux distros, Windows installers, or antivirus rescue disks).
- Boot Failure
- If your system fails to boot from the USB, double-check your BIOS or UEFI settings. Ensure the USB is set as the primary boot device. Try recreating the USB drive, ensuring that no processes interrupted the initial setup.
- Missing Operating System on Boot
- Some systems require Secure Boot to be disabled in BIOS/UEFI settings. After disabling Secure Boot, reboot and try again.
Alternative Multiboot USB Creator
If you're interested in other multiboot creation tools, consider YUMI - Your Universal Multiboot USB Installer. YUMI is a free and fully open source tool that is constantly updated and supports a wide range of Linux distributions, Windows versions, antivirus utilities, and much more.
Final Thoughts
SARDU multiboot USB creator is a powerful tool for making bootable USB drives and DVDs, allowing users to store multiple OS installations, antivirus tools, and system recovery utilities in one place, making it an excellent choice for IT professionals and tech enthusiasts. Whether you need a bootable antivirus toolkit, a collection of Linux distributions, or a Windows installation medium, it offers a flexible solution. While the free version has limitations, it remains a valuable option for users looking to consolidate multiple bootable tools onto a single device.