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Windows Linux System & Storage Command guide Boot

Windows bcdedit /enum equivalent in Linux

Shows systemd-boot status where systemd-boot is used.

Windows bcdedit /enum
→
Linux equivalents
Debian/Ubuntu systemd-boot or GRUB
bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Fedora grubby / GRUB
sudo grubby --info=ALL
Arch systemd-boot or GRUB
bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Overview

What this command does

On Windows, "bcdedit /enum" is used to show boot configuration. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "bootctl status". Shows systemd-boot status where systemd-boot is used. This reference is grouped under System & Storage → Boot.

Migration tip: This mapping changes by distribution. Use the row for your system rather than substituting only the package-manager name: Debian/Ubuntu: bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg; Fedora: sudo grubby --info=ALL; Arch: bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg.

Windows → Linux context

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Equivalent task, different tool

Windows bcdedit /enum maps to bootctl for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.

Distribution details matter

The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows are not identical. Use the row for your distribution instead of changing only the package-manager name in an example.

Elevated privilege appears in this workflow

At least one example uses sudo. Confirm the target path, device, service or package before running the elevated form; do not add sudo simply to bypass an unexplained permission error.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Show boot configuration

Shows systemd-boot status where systemd-boot is used.

bootctl status

Show boot configuration

bootctl --help

Show command help when supported

man bootctl

Open the manual page when installed

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

bootctl status

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows equivalent: bcdedit /enum
bootctl status

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or optionUse
bootctl statusShow boot configuration
bootctl --helpShow command help when supported
man bootctlOpen the manual page when installed

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

The equivalent is distribution-specific for this task: Debian/Ubuntu uses "bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg"; Fedora uses "sudo grubby --info=ALL"; Arch uses "bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg".

DistributionPackage manager / baseEquivalent commandDifference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu systemd-boot or GRUB bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg Equivalent workflow for this distribution.
Fedora grubby / GRUB sudo grubby --info=ALL Equivalent workflow for this distribution.
Arch systemd-boot or GRUB bootctl status || grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg Equivalent workflow for this distribution.

Keep learning

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