How to Install Grub Customizer on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

Grub Customizer is a powerful graphical tool that allows users to manage and configure the GRUB bootloader. It provides an easy-to-use interface for editing GRUB menu entries, setting default boot options, and customizing the appearance of the GRUB boot menu. Grub Customizer is particularly useful for those who dual-boot multiple operating systems or want to have more control over the boot process on their Ubuntu system.

On Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, you can install Grub Customizer using the Launchpad PPA maintained by Daniel Richter. This PPA provides the latest version of Grub Customizer, ensuring that you have access to the most recent features and updates. This guide will walk you through the process of adding the PPA and installing Grub Customizer via the command-line terminal.

Refreshing the Ubuntu System Before Grub Customizer Installation

Ensuring your Ubuntu system is up-to-date is crucial to initiating the installation process. Updating the system provides the advantages of having the latest patches, enhanced security, and possibly better software compatibility.

Use the following command to refresh your system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Integrating the Grub Customizer PPA

The next course of action involves incorporating the Personal Package Archive (PPA) for Grub Customizer into your Ubuntu system. The PPA, managed by Daniel Richter, is a repository that contains the Grub Customizer package. This repository enables Ubuntu to know where to fetch Grub Customizer during installation.

Use the following command to import the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer -y

Note: The -y flag automatically confirms that you want to add the repository without prompting you to accept manually:

Updating the APT Package Cache after Grub Customizer PPA Import

Since we’ve added the Grub Customizer PPA, updating the APT package cache is vital. The APT package cache is a database that references installable software. An update to the cache ensures that APT is aware of the new packages that have been added, along with their repositories. It allows the system to fetch the latest version of Grub Customizer during installation:

sudo apt update

Finalize Grub Customizer Installation on Ubuntu

We are now poised to install Grub Customizer on our Ubuntu system. This is executed by calling upon APT (Advanced Package Tool), the package manager used by Ubuntu, to fetch the software from the PPA we added earlier. By using the install command, we instruct APT to download and set up Grub Customizer on our system:

sudo apt install grub-customizer

Confirm the installation and version of Grub Customizer using the following command:

grub-customizer -v

Example output:

Grub Customizer, version x.x.x

Launching Grub Customizer

CLI Method of Launching Grub Customizer

If you’re comfortable working with the command line, this method will suit your needs perfectly. The CLI can be quicker and more direct, providing instant access to Grub Customizer.

Open your terminal and input the following command:

grub-customizer

GUI Method of Launching Grub Customizer

For those who prefer navigating through the graphical interface, this method provides a visual path to launch Grub Customizer. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Activities option at your Ubuntu desktop’s top left corner.
2. Navigate towards the Show Applications button, often represented by a grid of dots at the bottom of the screen.
3. In the applications list, search for Grub Customizer.

Managing Grub Customizer

Update Grub Customizer

To update Grub Customizer, use the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

The first command fetches the latest package lists from the repositories, while the second command will upgrade your system’s upgradeable packages, including Grub Customizer.

Remove Grub Customizer

There might come a time when you no longer need Grub Customizer, or perhaps you want to troubleshoot issues by reinstalling the application. To remove Grub Customizer, you can utilize the following command:

sudo apt remove grub-customizer

The above command will uninstall Grub Customizer from your system but will leave the configuration files behind. This allows you to reinstall the application in the future without losing any previous settings.

Remove the Grub Customizer PPA

Removing its associated PPA is also a good practice if you’ve decided not to use Grub Customizer in the long run. This action ensures your system will not check for updates from this specific PPA.

To remove the Grub Customizer PPA, run the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer -y

By running the above command, you successfully prevent your system from contacting the Grub Customizer PPA during updates.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, you’ve been introduced to Grub Customizer and its significant role in managing the GRUB bootloader on your Ubuntu system. By leveraging its functionalities, you’ve gained the capability to customize, troubleshoot, and streamline your system boot process.