How to Remove Orphan Linux Boot Entries from Windows 11 UEFI

📰 Dev.to · Igor Giamoniano

Learn to remove orphan Linux boot entries from Windows 11 UEFI to clean up your boot menu and improve system performance

intermediate Published 14 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator using Windows + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin)
Run the command bcdedit /enum to list all boot entries
Identify the orphan Linux boot entry by its description or identifier
Use the command bcdedit /delete {identifier} to remove the orphan entry, replacing {identifier} with the actual identifier of the entry to be deleted
Verify the removal by running bcdedit /enum again to ensure the entry is no longer listed

Who Needs to Know This

This tutorial is beneficial for developers and system administrators who work with dual-boot systems, especially those who use Windows 11 and Linux. It helps them manage and troubleshoot boot issues efficiently.

Key Insight

💡 Using the bcdedit command, you can manage boot entries in Windows 11 UEFI, including removing unwanted or orphaned Linux boot entries.