efibootmgr
efibootmgr is a free Linux command-line utility for modifying Intel EFI Boot Manager settings.
What efibootmgr is
efibootmgr is a free Linux command-line utility for modifying Intel EFI Boot Manager settings. It can create or delete boot entries, mark entries active or inactive, and change the persistent boot order. Users can also set or remove the option for the next boot and adjust the boot manager timeout. Other options let users append binary arguments from a file or standard input, or create a network boot entry for a named interface, including PXE. The utility works with EFI boot variables and devices. Before use, either the efivarfs filesystem or the legacy efivars kernel module must be loaded. The repository identifies the license as GPL-2.0. Its README describes use by operating system installers and system administrators to create boot options or alter boot order. The project directs bug reports, feature requests, and patches to the Red Hat bootloader team through its GitHub repository. efibootmgr supports UEFI and multiboot, but not BIOS; its documented interface is a command-line utility, with no external integrations listed.
Good
- Free and open source under GPL-2.0.
- Can create, delete, and activate boot entries.
- Can change persistent boot order and next-boot option.
- Can create PXE entries for named interfaces.
Watch out
- Linux only; BIOS is not supported.
- Requires efivarfs or the legacy efivars kernel module.
- Command-line utility; no external integrations are listed.
Who it suits
It suits Linux system administrators and operating system installers who need to create EFI boot options or change boot order. Users must be working with the required EFI filesystem or kernel module.
Verdict
efibootmgr provides command-line control over EFI boot entries and ordering on Linux. It is suited to users comfortable with the required EFI setup, rather than systems using BIOS.
Plans and prices
From efibootmgr's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| efibootmgr | Free | Linux user-space application · modifies EFI Boot Manager variables |
The facts
Each one read from efibootmgr's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Boot entries
- It can create and delete boot entries and set entries active or inactive.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Boot order
- It can change the persistent boot order and set or delete the option for the next boot.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documented interface is a command-line utility with options for EFI boot variables and devices; no external integrations are listed.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-2.0.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Network boot
- It can create a network boot entry for a named interface, including a PXE entry.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Other controls
- Its options include setting the boot manager timeout and appending binary arguments from a file or standard input.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Prerequisite
- The efivarfs filesystem or legacy efivars kernel module must be loaded before use.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- efibootmgr is a Linux user-space application for modifying the Intel EFI Boot Manager.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support channel
- The project directs bug reports, feature requests, and patches to the Red Hat bootloader team through its GitHub repository.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Typical users
- The README describes use by OS installers and system administrators to create boot options or change boot order.checked 8 Oct 2026
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