efibootdump
Dump EFI boot variables
TLDR
Dump boot entries from a file
SYNOPSIS
efibootdump [-v] [-o dumpfile]
PARAMETERS
-v
Verbose mode: dumps full raw contents of EFI variables.
-o dumpfile
Output to specified file instead of stdout.
DESCRIPTION
efibootdump is a command-line utility from the efibootmgr package used to extract and display the UEFI firmware's boot configuration stored in NVRAM. It reads the BootOrder variable, which defines the boot sequence, and all associated Boot#### variables containing individual boot entry details like labels, file paths, and optional parameters.
This tool is invaluable for troubleshooting boot problems, auditing EFI setups, or creating backups of boot configurations on UEFI systems. By default, it outputs a compact, human-readable dump to stdout. The output format mirrors the internal EFI structure, making it suitable for scripting or manual review. On non-UEFI systems or without proper privileges, it will fail with an error.
Common use cases include verifying boot order after installations, identifying duplicate entries, or preparing for efibootmgr modifications. It does not alter NVRAM contents, ensuring safe, read-only operation.
CAVEATS
Requires root privileges; only works on UEFI systems with EFI variables accessible. No input validation on output files.
EXAMPLES
efibootdump > boot-backup.txt
efibootdump -v | grep BootOrder
OUTPUT FORMAT
Shows BootOrder: list of indices; Boot####: label, path (e.g., \EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi), optional args.
HISTORY
Developed as part of efibootmgr by Dell engineers (e.g., Rod Smith) around 2006 for early Linux UEFI support. Integrated into major distros post-2007; stable with minor updates for new EFI specs.
SEE ALSO
efibootmgr(8), efivar(8)
