Removing Uninstalled OS Phoenix OS from the UEFI Boot Menu

Removing Uninstalled OS Phoenix OS from the UEFI Boot Menu

When working with UEFI boot systems, it's not uncommon to encounter the remnants of uninstalled operating systems. This can manifest as an outdated option in the boot menu, such as the Phoenix OS you mentioned. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to remove this entry manually, ensuring your boot menu stays clean and updated.

Understanding the Boot Menu

The UEFI boot menu is the list of available operating systems and boot managers visible during the boot process. When a user selects Phoenix OS from this menu, the system will attempt to start from the hard drive or other storage devices associated with it. If the OS is uninstalled, this can cause issues with booting or unnecessary disruptions during startup.

Locate the Grub Configuration Files

Grub (GUF) is a widely used bootloader that manages the boot process. To remove the Phoenix OS entry, you first need to locate and edit the appropriate Grub configuration file. This file is typically located at or Here’s how to locate it: Open a terminal. Type the following command to view the existing entries in the Grub configuration file:

less 
Search for the entry associated with Phoenix OS by looking for filenames like /os/uninstalled_phoenixos. Note the exact location of the entry and closing tag or line number in the configuration file.

Edit the Grub Configuration File

To edit the Grub configuration file, follow these steps:

Close the terminal with Ctrl C or save the file and exit if you were editing directly in a text editor. Maintain the configuration file with sudo permissions:

sudo nano 

Search for and remove the specific entry associated with Phoenix OS. It might look like one of the following lines, depending on the version of Grub you're using:

menuentry 'Phoenix OS' {
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod fat
    set root'(hd0,gpt3)'
    search --no-marker --fs-uuid 1234567890123456 -label Phoenix-OS
    chainloader  1
}

Alternatively, if you prefer to use the grub-customizer GUI tool, you can install it with the following command:

sudo apt-get install grub-customizer

Launch grub-customizer and navigate to the Phoenix OS entry. Select it, then click the 'Remove Entry' button. Save the changes by clicking 'Apply' or Ctrl S. Exit the editor, either using the GUI or by pressing Ctrl X in terminal. Update Grub to reflect the changes:

sudo update-grub

Reboot Your System

After making the changes, it's crucial to restart your system to verify that the entry for Phoenix OS no longer appears in the UEFI boot menu. Here’s how to do it:

Reboot your system using Ctrl Alt Del or the system restart option in the pre-boot menu. Wait for the UEFI boot menu to appear. Check that the Phoenix OS entry is no longer listed.

Conclusion

Removing an uninstalled operating system from the UEFI boot menu is a straightforward process that enhances your system's performance and security. By following these steps, you can maintain a clean and efficient boot process. If you’re new to this process or encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for further assistance.