Installation Kernel Boot

Kernel & Bootloader

These two steps decide which Linux kernel runs and how the boot menu looks and behaves (GRUB).

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Step 13 · Kernel

Pick the Linux kernel, the core of the operating system:

• linux — the standard, well-tested kernel. The sensible default for most people.
• linux-lts — the long-term-support kernel. Maximum stability and fewer changes, at the cost of newer hardware/features. Good for servers or if you value uptime above all.
• linux-zen — a performance-tuned kernel with desktop responsiveness and gaming tweaks.
• linux-hardened — a security-hardened kernel. More defensive, slightly slower.

Note

You are not stuck with this choice, you can change the default boot kernel later with retro grub or in Settings, and install extra kernels anytime. This step just decides which one is installed first and set as the default.

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Step 14 · Bootloader (GRUB)

The installer configures GRUB as your bootloader with several choices:

1. GRUB theme

Pick the look of your boot menu:

• retropunk — a cyberpunk-inspired GRUB theme with circuit-board designs and a sharp, rigid aesthetic.
• retrolinux — the default theme, a cozy retro CRT monitor with pixelated art style.

2. Framebuffer resolution

The resolution GRUB shows at boot, pre-filled from your display choice. The list includes the native resolution and common scale-downs (only 16:9, 16:10, 4:3, 5:4, and 21:9 options are offered), plus Custom (Enter manually).

• Pick the resolution that fits your monitor for a crisp boot menu.
• Choose Custom to type any resolution (for example 1920x1080).

3. OS Prober

Whether GRUB detects other operating systems installed on your machine (Windows, other Linux distros) and adds them to the boot menu.

• Enable — useful for dual-booting.
• Disable — only RetroLinux shows in the menu.

Note

OS Prober needs the os-prober package and scans all disks at boot-menu generation time. If you enable it later, retro grub handles it for you.

4. Snapshot boot entries

RetroLinux wires Timeshift snapshots into GRUB, so you can boot directly into a previous snapshot from the boot menu, your rollback safety net.

• Enable (recommended) — a "RetroLinux Snapshots" submenu appears at boot.
• Disable — no snapshot entries in the menu.

5. Timeout

How long GRUB waits before booting the default entry, in seconds (default 10). Enter any number; invalid input falls back to 10.

• A low timeout boots faster.
• A higher timeout gives you time to pick a different entry or snapshot.

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Related

• GRUB Bootloader — retro grub after install
• Arch Wiki: GRUB, Arch Wiki: Kernel

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