Windows 11 Not Detected by GRUB: How to Fix

Are you having trouble booting your Windows 11 after installing it alongside another operating system? If GRUB, the bootloader for Linux distributions, is not detecting your Windows 11, don't worry! This article will guide you through the process of fixing the issue with easy-to-follow steps.

Before we start, it is important to understand that GRUB is a bootloader for Linux-based operating systems. When you install Windows 11 alongside a Linux distribution, GRUB becomes the default bootloader, which may not detect Windows 11. To fix this, we will need to reinstall the Windows Boot Manager, which is the bootloader for Windows operating systems.

How to Fix Windows 11 Not Detected by GRUB

To fix the issue, we will need to boot into Windows 11 and use the Command Prompt to reinstall the Windows Boot Manager. Here are the steps:

1. Boot into your Linux distribution and open a terminal window.
2. Type the following command to check the disk name of your Windows 11 installation:

   sudo fdisk -l
   

   This command will display a list of all the disks and partitions on your system. Look for the partition that contains your Windows 11 installation. It will likely be a partition with a "ntfs" or "fat32" file system. The disk name will be something like "/dev/sda1" or "/dev/nvme0n1p1". Make a note of the disk name.

3. Type the following command to mount the Windows 11 partition:

   sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
   

   Replace "/dev/sda1" with the disk name you noted in step 2. This command will mount the Windows 11 partition at the "/mnt" directory.

4. Type the following command to install the Windows Boot Manager:

   sudo bootctl --path=/mnt install
   

   This command will install the Windows Boot Manager on the Windows 11 partition. It may take a few minutes to complete.

5. Restart your computer and remove the bootable USB or DVD drive, if you used one to install Windows 11.

   Your computer should now boot directly into Windows 11. If you want to boot into your Linux distribution, you can use the boot menu key (usually F12 or ESC) to select the Linux distribution from the boot options.

In this article, we have shown you how to fix the issue of Windows 11 not being detected by GRUB. By reinstalling the Windows Boot Manager, you can boot directly into Windows 11 without the need to use GRUB. This process is simple and straightforward, and you can do it yourself without the need for professional assistance.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you!

References