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How to Install Grub Customizer on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian

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By LightNode ·

Grub Customizer is a useful tool for managing and customizing the GRUB bootloader. It allows users to change boot order, set default operating systems, modify kernel parameters, and much more—all through a user-friendly interface. This guide will walk you through how to install Grub Customizer on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian distributions.

What is GRUB and Why Use Grub Customizer?

GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) is the default bootloader for most Linux distributions, allowing you to select which operating system or kernel version to boot. Configuring GRUB manually can be complex, but Grub Customizer makes it easy to edit GRUB settings without dealing directly with configuration files.

Features of Grub Customizer

  • Modify the boot order of installed operating systems.
  • Set the default operating system.
  • Customize GRUB’s appearance, such as background images and text colors.
  • Add or remove boot menu entries.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install Grub Customizer

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing Grub Customizer, make sure your system is up to date. Open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command ensures that all the packages on your system are up to date, preventing compatibility issues during installation.

Step 2: Add the Repository (Ubuntu and Linux Mint)

Grub Customizer is available in the official repositories for Ubuntu and Linux Mint, but sometimes the version may not be the latest. To get the latest version, add the repository using the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer

After adding the repository, update the package list:

sudo apt update

Step 3: Install Grub Customizer

Once the repository is added and the package list updated, install Grub Customizer by running:

sudo apt install grub-customizer -y

Step 4: Installation on Debian

For Debian, you can install Grub Customizer directly from the default repositories without adding any PPAs. Use the command:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install grub-customizer -y

Step 5: Launch Grub Customizer

After the installation is complete, you can launch Grub Customizer from the applications menu or by running:

grub-customizer

Using Grub Customizer

Change Boot Order

  1. Open Grub Customizer.
  2. You will see a list of all available boot options.
  3. Drag and drop the entries to rearrange the boot order as desired.

Set Default Operating System

  • Select the OS you want to set as the default.
  • Click on "Set as default" from the top menu.

Customize GRUB Appearance

  • Go to the "Appearance settings" tab.

  • Here, you can change the background image, font style, and colors of your bootloader.

Save Your Changes

Once you have made all the desired changes, click the "Save" button. Grub Customizer will automatically generate the updated GRUB configuration file.

Note: After saving your changes, you may need to reboot your system to see the updated GRUB menu.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  1. Grub Customizer Not Launching

If Grub Customizer doesn’t start, run it from the terminal to check for error messages:

grub-customizer

If there are missing dependencies, reinstall Grub Customizer to fix them.

  1. Changes Not Applied

If the changes made in Grub Customizer are not visible after rebooting, run the following command to manually update GRUB:

sudo update-grub

Uninstalling Grub Customizer

If you decide you no longer need Grub Customizer, you can uninstall it with the following command:

sudo apt remove grub-customizer -y

For Ubuntu and Linux Mint, you may also want to remove the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer

Conclusion

Grub Customizer is a powerful and convenient tool for anyone looking to take control of their bootloader settings on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Debian. With just a few steps, you can install it and start customizing your boot experience to suit your needs.

If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with others who might be struggling with GRUB configuration!

Happy customizing!

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