[GH-ISSUE #127] Local UEFI executable is not documented as a booting method #21

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opened 2026-02-27 14:56:46 +03:00 by kerem · 0 comments

kerem commented

2026-02-27 14:56:46 +03:00

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Originally created by @mskiptr on GitHub (Feb 1, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbootxyz/netboot.xyz-docs/issues/127

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
For me, the most convenient way of booting small utilities like netboot.xyz is to just put them on the EFI system partition. The downloads page links to a few .efi executables and at least https://boot.netboot.xyz/ipxe/netboot.xyz.efi seems to work with this approach. However, it's not really clear whether this is a supported configuration. The quick start page talks about this file specifically in the context of loading it with iPXE which threw me off at first.

Describe the solution you'd like
Assuming this is a supported method, I would like to see it described as such in the booting methods section. Such page should contain a rough overview of the UEFI boot manager (explaining the BootOrder and BootNext variables) and how to interact with it using efibootmgr. Other ways to boot such a file (like putting it at the fallback location or using GRUB, systemd-boot, rEFInd or even the UEFI Shell) could also be described, as well as the fact that some vendors let you pick an arbitrary executable from the boot menu. Instructions for Windows or whatever could also be useful.

Describe alternatives you've considered
This could also be mentioned on the quick start page or the downloads page could be made a bit clearer.

Originally created by @mskiptr on GitHub (Feb 1, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbootxyz/netboot.xyz-docs/issues/127 **Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.** For me, the most convenient way of booting small utilities like netboot.xyz is to just put them on the EFI system partition. The [downloads page](https://netboot.xyz/downloads/) links to a few `.efi` executables and at least <https://boot.netboot.xyz/ipxe/netboot.xyz.efi> seems to work with this approach. However, it's not really clear whether this is a supported configuration. The [quick start page](https://netboot.xyz/docs/quick-start/) talks about this file specifically in the context of loading it with iPXE which threw me off at first. **Describe the solution you'd like** Assuming this is a supported method, I would like to see it described as such in the [booting methods section](https://netboot.xyz/docs/category/booting-methods/). Such page should contain a rough overview of the UEFI boot manager (explaining the `BootOrder` and `BootNext` variables) and how to interact with it using `efibootmgr`. Other ways to boot such a file (like putting it at the fallback location or using GRUB, systemd-boot, rEFInd or even the UEFI Shell) could also be described, as well as the fact that some vendors let you pick an arbitrary executable from the boot menu. Instructions for Windows or whatever could also be useful. **Describe alternatives you've considered** This could also be mentioned on the quick start page or the downloads page could be made a bit clearer.