Grub-Customizer

Contributions Tutorials
1

Grub-Customizer

See also: Grub Arch Wiki

Grub customizer is a contentious subject - however, the general consensus is that it represents a bad example of an attractive GUI for nOObs.

It is potentially dangerous and completely unnecessary. It adds layers of complexity to the bootloader, which is critical to the system. It does not do anything that cannot be achieved by other means.

Despite these concerns, the fact that some people use it without encountering problems simply perpetuates the ignorance.

Why not use Grub-Customizer?

More Hate for Grub-Customizer.

:bulb: Tips

The main configuration file for GRUB is generated automatically by grub-mkconfig - it should not be edited directly (it is located at /boot/grub/grub.cfg).

Instead, modify the /etc/default/grub file to make changes that will be reflected in the generated configuration.

:bulb: You do not need to prefix SUDO for every editor (micro, kate - no sudo required)

1. Change GRUB Timeout:

  • Edit /etc/default/grub
  • Edit these values:time, and whether it is hidden.
# Timeout can range from -1 to any positive integer (-1: indefinite, 0: immediate, default: 5).
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5

# Boolean: True or False (default: false)
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=false

2. Change Default boot:

  • Edit /etc/default/grub
# GRUB_DEFAULT  (Accepts boot id, term 'saved' to load the previous selection, or numeral array)
# (Using an array 0 is the first, 1 is the second etc).
GRUB_DEFAULT=0

3. Modify Kernel Parameters

  • Example: add ‘nomodeset’

EDIT: /etc/default/grub

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="quiet splash nomodeset"`

4. Customise Appearance

Set background image:

  • edit /etc/default/grub
GRUB_BACKGROUND=/path/to/your/image.jpg
GRUB_COLOR_NORMAL="light-blue/black" 
GRUB_COLOR_HIGHLIGHT="white/black"
GRUB_FONT="/boot/grub/fonts/myfont.pf2"

5. Update Grub

  • Running update-grub applies our settings to grub. Always run after making changes.
sudo update-grub

:bulb: Be Aware: update-grub does not upgrade grub installed on the MBR or boot partition.
      The install-grub script is available for this purpose.

NOTE: A more exhaustive guide on grub configuration can be found here:
GNU GRUB Manual 2.12: Simple configuration

For further advice about how to manage GRUB, open a topic in the forum. This guide may be edited to add further information later

5 Likes
2

Wise users should not use Grub-Customizer. This is my personal conclusion. I think that only those who can read and understand the generated grub.cfg should use it.

I guess the appeal is that it’s easy to switch themes, etc.?? If you can understand it, I think it’s easier to edit with an editor.

I have set the theme for grub with huge letters. The following is just my example.

font = "Impact Regular 800" # countdown num.

# GRUB_THEME="/usr/share/grub/themes/manjaro/theme.txt"
GRUB_THEME="/boot/grub/themes/zen4k/theme.txt"
# GRUB_THEME="/boot/grub/themes/bootfield/theme.txt"
  • zen4k/theme is mine only . not in aur.
ls /boot/grub/themes/
bootfield bootfield_manjaro graphite-default-4k graphite-nord-4k starfield stylish-color-4k zen4k
4 Likes
3

Exactly, hence this tutorial is in place to replace the ‘functions’ of the Grub Customizer with instructions as to how we should do it.

Grub-Customizer is the ultimate ‘nOOb’ tool, only used by people who have no idea, don’t understand, or just don’t care about how it’s un-necessary complications can lead to disaster.

It is used mostly out of laziness and/or ignorance.

2 Likes
9

Usually, when you search for it, it’s a tool that stands out. That’s reality.

I think it’s natural that complaints arise.

In fact, I used it for a long time. Until 2018, it was limited to Ubuntu env.

In fact, if you search on google(ja_JP), you’ll see stupid entries like this. Is google the bad guy? (lol) Be careful of the date.

think it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say that grub-custmizer users are ignorant. I would rather say they are victims.

Click the triangle

How to install Grub Customizer on Linux Mint, Debian
LightNode
https://go.lightnode.com › tech › install-grub-customizer
2024/11/15 — Grub Customizer is a useful tool that allows you to easily manage and customize your GRUB boot loader. Change boot order, set default OS, kernel …

Linux Mint 20.x: Simple boot loader editing tool "Grub …
JUGEM Blog
https://baker-street.jugem.jp › …
2018/04/15 — This Grub boot menu can be customized. It’s a Linux thing, but it requires some knowledge and skill to operate. But Linux has become so …

Grub is a very useful boot recovery tool that has a great reputation around the world .…
Ameba Blog
https://ameblo.jp › gokurakuhaze › entry-12860076142
2024/07/22 — Grub Customizer is a graphical interface for configuring GRUB2 settings and menu items. It seems to be able to do the following: ・Reorder menus, add, …

Using Grub Customizer on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian …
Zenn
https://zenn.dev › lulucky › articles
2024/11/29 — Grub Customizer is a tool that allows you to easily manage and customize the GRUB boot loader settings. You can set the default OS, change the boot order, and change the appearance…

I changed the boot loader to GRUB 2 and used Grub Customizer…
Ameba Blog
https://ameblo.jp › gokurakuhaze › entry-12410973310
2018/10/13 — Grub Customizer is a graphical interface for configuring GRUB2 settings and menu items, allowing you to easily tweak the boot menu.

Grub Customizer, Customize the Grub Menu
Ubunlog
https://ubunlog.com › Ubunlog › Ubuntu
Program Overview. After installation, open the GrubCustomizer application from your system’s application launcher or enter the following command in the terminal (Ctrl + …

Install Grub Customizer on Ubuntu and Debian
Cloudzy
https://cloudzy.com › blog › install-…

10

I use:

For customizing my grub. I’ve also purged my computer of anything plymouth-related.

2 Likes
12

Fixed some typos, added info, added guide link, moved update-grub to own section, moved install-grub to note.
To-do: Add section on drop-ins.

2 Likes