Arch Linux

CheeseCrustery

Member

Registered: 2021-03-26

Posts: 4

What --bootloader-id and --target to use when installing GRUB?

I want to install Arch so I can dual boot with windows 10. In tutorials, I have seen the "grub-install"-command being used with different arguments:

--bootloader-id=grub_uefi
or
--bootloader-id=GRUB

They also use the --target argument:

--target=x86_64-efi

What do these do exactly, and which should I use? They aren't mentioned in the official documentation.

andamaru

Member

Registered: 2008-08-30

Posts: 10

Re: What --bootloader-id and --target to use when installing GRUB?

I believe the target refers to what version of bios your motherboard is using, If you're not sure x86-64 is probably the one you want.

If you've got a newer computer like 2012+ your bios has an option called "boot menu", if you were able to boot into the arch installer you probably know what that is. bootloader-id is the label that your bios will display for your arch linux install. On my computer I use --bootloader-id="Arch Linux", so when I open the menu I see any bootable usbs I have attached, my Ubuntu and Windows install and my "Arch Linux" install.

piperdan

Member

From: Arizona

Registered: 2020-04-03

Posts: 23

Re: What --bootloader-id and --target to use when installing GRUB?

Use the Arch Wiki:

Depending on whether you have UEFI or BIOS
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GR … I/GPT_mode
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GR … S/MBR_mode

boban_dj

Member

Registered: 2015-03-17

Posts: 150

Re: What --bootloader-id and --target to use when installing GRUB?

also read this when dualbooting with windows 10: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Unifie … boot_order

d_fajardo

Member

Registered: 2017-07-28

Posts: 1,658

Re: What --bootloader-id and --target to use when installing GRUB?

Also I might as well add, there's a whole wiki for dual-booting with Windows:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dual_boot_with_Windows

sergekorol

Member

Registered: 2021-04-13

Posts: 18

Re: What --bootloader-id and --target to use when installing GRUB?

I might want to point out that --bootloader-id= could be anything you want it to be. mine is Archgrub. It only puts a name to it when you use efibootmgr as far as I know.