bootloaderid

Bootloaderid is a term used in computing to describe an identifier associated with a bootloader. It refers to a piece of data that uniquely identifies a bootloader instance or configuration within a system, enabling boot managers and firmware to select, verify, and route the boot process. In practice, bootloaderid may be embedded in the boot image header, stored in non-volatile memory, or represented by a platform-specific variable.

Representations can include ASCII strings, universally unique identifiers (UUIDs), or a cryptographic hash of the bootloader binary. Storage locations vary by platform and may include UEFI variables, NVRAM, flash partitions, or metadata within the boot image. Some systems treat bootloaderid as part of the secure boot workflow, using it to ensure the loaded bootloader matches an expected, signed version.

During the boot process, a boot manager or the firmware can compare the bootloaderid of available loaders to a trusted set, select the appropriate loader, and log boot events. A change to the bootloaderid typically accompanies a bootloader update or a configuration change, and systems must ensure consistent handling to avoid boot failures.

The term bootloaderid is not universally standardized and is used informally across implementations. Its exact meaning, format, and storage mechanism differ between platforms (for example UEFI, coreboot, or GRUB-based systems). Understanding a given system’s bootloaderid requires consulting vendor documentation for the specific firmware and bootloader in use.

See also: bootloader, UEFI, secure boot, NVRAM, boot entries.