Hey everyone, I've tried installing Cachyos Linux twice this year but ended up removing it both times for various reasons. One big issue is the GRUB menu that appears during boot; the default theme really screams 'I use Arch!' and I want to keep my Linux setup under wraps. I'm looking for a way to either skip that bootloader or use systemd-boot during the installation so that my computer boots into Windows by default. Ideally, I want to boot into Linux only when I access the boot manager (like using a manufacturer key at startup) similar to how it works in Arch. Do I need to install a different bootloader, or do I have other options? My PC is a Dell, just for context.
5 Answers
To keep GRUB from showing up on boot, add these lines to your GRUB configuration:
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
GRUB_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY=true
If you want GRUB to show up sometimes, just tap Esc (or Shift) right after the Dell logo. It’s a quick way to access it if needed!
If you have two drives, consider installing GRUB on the second drive, making Windows the default boot option. You'd need to enter the boot menu/UEFI each time you want to start your Linux setup, but that's an effective way to keep things low-key. You can look up how to change the default boot option in GRUB and set the timeout to instant boot by holding Shift during start.
Another option is to install GRUB on a USB stick. This lets you just pull it out when you're not using Linux. You'll have a clean boot into Windows by default and just pop in the USB when you need to access Linux, keeping everything discreet.
From what I know, you can set the GRUB timeout to 0 seconds, which means it won't show up unless you press a button. You might need to check the Arch Wiki for specific instructions on accessing GRUB or systemd-boot that way. They have great guides on configuring these bootloaders!
You can configure the bootloader to remain hidden unless you press a specific key during startup. One way to go about it is to set your BIOS to prioritize USB boot, so you can keep a bootloader on a USB drive. This way, you can carry it with you and only use it when you want to boot into Linux. It's a neat workaround!
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