Proper configuration of rEFInd for Zorin OS and Windows 11

General Help
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1

Hello,

I have my old HP ZBook 15 G3, which I use mostly for mobility. It has two SSDS, one with Windows 11 Pro and the other with Zorin OS 17 Core.

I want to install rEFInd as a boot manager/loader because I don't like how GRUB looks.
How do I do that? Do I need to take precautions about it? I tried with the guide on the rEFInd site is a bit too technical and takes stuff for granted while talking about the procedure. I'm totally new to the Linux world.

Could you please help me?

2

Did You think about to use a different GRUB Theme? Don't understand me wrong: I will not tell You that You have to use GRUB. It is only a Suggestion.

1 Like
3

I didn't know GRUB had themes and could be customized. I just searched a bit and I got a lot of results hosted on GitHub: is that how you get those? Can I trust that?

4

Yes, you can. And I tell you... I just made my own Grub Theme instead.
It is easy to do. It is easy to apply.
And I would be happy, as availability allows, to walk through step by step actions on this to help boost your confidence.

Below, is a quickly stolen list as to what can be changed in Grub Appearance using themes:

  • Background Image – Replace the plain background with a custom image (usually PNG or TGA format).
  • Font Style and Size – Customize the font used in the menu (e.g., Ubuntu Mono) and its size.
  • Menu Colors – Set foreground and background colors for normal and highlighted menu entries (e.g., white text on blue highlight).
  • Menu Entry Icons – Add custom icons next to OS entries or submenus.
  • Layout and Positioning – Adjust the alignment of menu items (centered, left-aligned, etc.), margins, and padding.
  • Boot Menu Timeout and Visibility – Change how long the menu stays visible and whether it shows by default.
  • Resolution – Set the screen resolution for the menu (via GRUB_GFXMODE).
  • Custom Widgets – Some themes support progress bars, countdown timers, or even animated elements.

As you browse Grub Themes that are available that you do not need to make; you may see one that suits your needs just fine, no need to make your own.
You can just elevate to root

sudo -i

Launch the File manager in that same terminal you elevated to root:

nautilus

Then navigate to your Home Directory or Downloads directory to graboyour downloaded theme. Move it to Root on this path:
/boot/grub/themes/

Make sure any compressed files are extracted. The folder path will end with the theme name. Using a Zorin Supplied theme, that path would be
/boot/grub/themes/zorin

In your case, it would be that theme name, not /zorin
Once the theme is in its proper place, in the terminal, run

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

Arrow key all the way to the bottom and specify your theme replacing NEWTHEME with the actual theme folder name in the same case (lower or upper) as the folder itself is named:
GRUB_THEME="/boot/grub/themes/NEWTHEME/theme.txt"

Tap ctrl+o to overwrite, then enterkey to save current configuration. Then ctrl+x to exit the editor.
Now run

sudo update-grub

and enjoy your new theme.

2 Likes
5

You can find GRUB Themes here, too:

There You have Checksums what You can check. And if You want scan it for Threats, You could go to VirusTotal.

As an Addition to @Aravisian's Description: Zorin saves his own GRUB Theme in /usr/share/grub/themes/ and so You could pack Your chosen Theme in this Folder, too. So, You have it in one Place and You simply need to copy for the GRUB Config the existing Path and replace the Folder Name.