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SYSLINUX

syslinux.org

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 7.2 #22 of 29 in Boot Manager Software

What it is

SYSLINUX is free software comprising bootloaders for starting Linux and other systems from several media types. SYSLINUX boots from MS-DOS or Windows FAT filesystems, PXELINUX handles PXE network booting, ISOLINUX starts ISO9660 CD-ROMs, and EXTLINUX supports Linux ext2 and ext3 filesystems. MEMDISK loads legacy operating systems from supported media. Boot settings are placed in a text file named syslinux.cfg, while documented modules provide menu and graphical menu interfaces. Listed capabilities include BIOS and UEFI support, multiboot support, boot-entry editing, and boot-menu customization. Building from source requires Linux and NASM 2.03 or later; NASM 2.07 or newer is recommended. The project is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or, at the user's option, any later version. Compatibility limits matter: FAT filesystems with sector sizes other than 512 bytes are unsupported, and UEFI SYSLINUX cannot chainload other EFI applications such as UEFI Shell or Windows Boot Manager. Support information is provided through a SYSLINUX mailing list.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Syslinux is a suite of bootloaders for Linux, including loaders for FAT filesystems, PXE network booting, ISO9660 CD-ROMs, and Linux ext2/ext3 filesystems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project README points users to a SYSLINUX mailing list for support details.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project README says SYSLINUX is free software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user's option, any later version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Boot menu
The documentation describes menu and graphical menu interface modules.Read 4 Oct 2026 · wiki.archlinux.org
Build requirements
The project README says building from source requires Linux and NASM version 2.03 or later, with 2.07 or later recommended.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
CD booting
ISOLINUX supports booting from ISO9660 CD-ROMs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configuration
Boot settings can be configured in a text file named syslinux.cfg.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
FAT loader
SYSLINUX boots from MS-DOS or Windows FAT filesystems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit
Syslinux does not support FAT filesystems with a sector size other than 512 bytes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · wiki.archlinux.org
Linux filesystems
EXTLINUX supports Linux ext2 and ext3 filesystems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
MEMDISK
The project includes MEMDISK, a tool for loading legacy operating systems from supported media.Read 4 Oct 2026 · packages.fedoraproject.org
Network booting
PXELINUX supports PXE network booting.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
UEFI limit
UEFI Syslinux does not support chainloading other EFI applications such as UEFI Shell or Windows Boot Manager.Read 4 Oct 2026 · wiki.archlinux.org

Plans and prices

SYSLINUX Free GNU GPL version 2 or later Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every SYSLINUX plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under GNU GPL
  • Supports multiple boot media types
  • Includes BIOS and UEFI support
  • Offers text and graphical menus
  • Supports multiboot configurations

Limits

  • FAT filesystems require 512-byte sectors
  • UEFI cannot chainload other EFI applications
  • Source builds require Linux and NASM

Who it suits

It suits users configuring Linux boot environments across FAT, network, CD-ROM, and ext2/ext3 media. It is also relevant to people needing BIOS, UEFI, multiboot, or customizable boot menus.

Verdict

SYSLINUX provides separate loaders for common filesystem, network, and optical boot paths, plus configuration and menu modules. Check its filesystem and UEFI chainloading limits before adopting it.

Where Specifiction places it

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