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Asked: 2024-09-25T00:51:48+05:30 In:

How can I modify the GRUB menu settings on my Ubuntu system?

I’ve been trying to customize my GRUB menu settings on Ubuntu, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a headache. I was thinking about adjusting some settings for better usability, like adding some cool custom entries for my various OS installations and maybe even changing the default timeout duration. But every time I start digging into the GRUB configuration files, I end up feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I’ve read that there’s this file called `grub.cfg`, and that editing it directly is a no-no because it gets overwritten. So where do I even start? Is it all about tweaking `grub.default`, `GRUB_TIMEOUT`, or something else? And I’ve heard about the `update-grub` command, but when do I actually need to run that?

Also, I’m thinking about adding a background image to my GRUB menu because the plain text is starting to bore me. I found some guides online, but they all seem to assume I know more than I do – like, what kind of image do I need? Does it have to be a specific format or size? And what’s the best way to set it up?

Another thing is, sometimes I just want to do a quick boot into a recovery mode or another OS, but I feel like the menu is cluttered and not very user-friendly. Can anyone share some tips on organizing my entries or maybe even hiding some of them to make it cleaner?

Lastly, whenever I try to edit the GRUB settings, I’m super paranoid that I might break my bootloader. Anyone ever bricked their system because of GRUB modifications? What are some safety precautions I should be taking? I really want to learn and personalize my system, but I don’t want to end up in a situation where I can’t boot into my OS.

So, if anyone could share their experiences or walk me through some beginner-friendly steps, I’d really appreciate it! It feels like such a maze, and any insights would help make this less daunting.

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    2 Answers

    1. Customizing your GRUB menu can seem overwhelming, but once you understand the configuration files, it becomes more manageable. The primary file you’ll want to work with is `/etc/default/grub`. Here, you can modify settings like `GRUB_TIMEOUT`, which determines how long the GRUB menu will be displayed before booting the default OS, and `GRUB_DEFAULT`, which sets the default boot entry. Remember to run the `update-grub` command after making changes to this file to ensure that your modifications take effect in the `grub.cfg` file, which is automatically generated and should not be edited directly. If you want to add custom entries for different OS installations, you can also create custom scripts in `/etc/grub.d/`, which will be picked up when you run `update-grub`.

      For adding a background image, you’ll need an image in either PNG or TGA format, with the recommended resolution being 1920×1080 for optimal display on most monitors. Place your image in the `/boot/grub/` directory and update your `/etc/default/grub` file by adding the line `GRUB_BACKGROUND=”/boot/grub/your-image.png”`. Afterward, run `update-grub` again for the changes to take effect. To tidy up your GRUB menu, you can create a custom configuration file or remove unnecessary entries in `/etc/grub.d/`, making sure to back up any critical files before you begin. To ensure you don’t accidentally break your bootloader, consider running a live USB session of Ubuntu to test your GRUB configuration changes, and always have a backup of your important data in case something goes wrong. Personalizing your system is a great learning experience, and with caution, you can do it smoothly.






    2. Customizing GRUB on Ubuntu


      Customizing GRUB on Ubuntu

      Dealing with GRUB can be tricky, but don’t worry! Here’s a simple guide to help you tame that menu and make it your own.

      Starting with the Basics

      • First off, you’re right about grub.cfg. Editing this file directly isn’t a good idea because it’ll get generated every time you run the update-grub command. Instead, you should modify the settings in the /etc/default/grub file.
      • Look for lines that start with GRUB_DEFAULT, GRUB_TIMEOUT, etc. Changing GRUB_TIMEOUT will let you set how long the menu stays up before automatically booting the default entry.

      Running update-grub

      After you make your changes to /etc/default/grub, you’ll need to run sudo update-grub in the terminal. This command regenerates the grub.cfg file to reflect your new settings.

      Adding a Background Image

      You can personalize your GRUB menu with a cool background! For the image:

      • Use a file format like JPG or PNG.
      • Keep your image size smaller, around 1920×1080 is a good start.

      Place your image in the /boot/grub/ directory. Then, add a line in /etc/default/grub like this:
      GRUB_BACKGROUND="/boot/grub/your-image.jpg"
      Don’t forget to run sudo update-grub afterwards!

      Organizing Your Menu

      To keep your GRUB menu tidy, you can create a custom entry for each OS or tool in the /etc/grub.d/ directory. You can even prioritize the recovery mode or important entries by assigning them an order. Just remember to make your custom scripts executable with chmod +x.

      Safety Precautions

      It’s wise to be cautious when editing GRUB:

      • Always back up your current grub.cfg and the /etc/default/grub file.
      • If something goes wrong, you can often fix it by booting from a live USB and restoring those files.

      Wrapping Up

      GRUB customization can be overwhelming at first, but once you find your way around, you’ll have a slick and functional boot menu in no time. Ease into it, take backups, and don’t hesitate to ask more questions if you need help!


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