Can I Set Another OS as Default EFI after Rebooting a Windows PC?

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the process of setting another OS (Fedora 40's KDE Spin) as the default EFI rebooting Windows PC. The primary reason for this is that the user primarily uses Fedora 40's KDE Spin and secondarily uses Windows 11 Pro. Therefore, it is necessary to apply updates to Windows and reboot the PC, but Fedora is set as the default OS in EFI.

Understanding EFI

Before we proceed, it is essential to understand what EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) is. EFI is a modern replacement for the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) firmware interface found in most PCs. EFI provides a more extensive and flexible environment for booting an operating system and managing system firmware settings.

Setting Another OS as the Default EFI Boot Option

To set another OS as the default EFI boot option, you need to modify the EFI boot order. The process of modifying the EFI boot order varies depending on the PC manufacturer, but the general steps are as follows:

1. Restart your PC.
2. Press the key to enter the EFI setup utility (e.g., F2, F10, or DEL).
3. Navigate to the boot settings or boot order settings.
4. Change the boot order to set the desired OS as the first boot option.
5. Save the changes and exit the EFI setup utility.

Modifying the EFI Boot Order in Windows

If you are using Windows 11 Pro, you can modify the EFI boot order using the built-in BCDEdit tool. Here are the steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)" from the menu.
2. Type the following command to list the current boot entries:

Look for the boot entry that corresponds to the desired OS (Fedora 40's KDE Spin). Note the identifier of the boot entry.

3. Type the following command to set the desired OS as the default boot option:

Replace {identifier} with the actual identifier of the boot entry.

Modifying the EFI Boot Order in Fedora

If you are using Fedora 40's KDE Spin, you can modify the EFI boot order using the efibootmgr tool. Here are the steps:

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type the following command to list the current boot entries:

Look for the boot entry that corresponds to the desired OS (Windows 11 Pro). Note the boot number of the boot entry.

3. Type the following command to set the desired OS as the default boot option:

Replace {boot\_number} with the actual boot number of the Windows boot entry.

In this article, we have discussed the process of setting another OS (Fedora 40's KDE Spin) as the default EFI rebooting Windows PC. We have covered the key concepts of EFI and provided detailed instructions on modifying the EFI boot order in Windows and Fedora. By following these steps, you can ensure that the desired OS is set as the default boot option, making it easier to apply updates and reboot your PC.

References

• Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensible_Firmware_Interface

• BCDEdit - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/devtest/bcdedit

• efibootmgr - https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/efibootmgr.8.html