Libreboot, the free and open-source boot firmware project replacing proprietary BIOS and UEFI firmware on supported computers, has announced version 26.10, codenamed “Ominous Olive.”
The biggest change is adopting EDK2, an open-source UEFI implementation, as the default boot payload on nearly all supported 64-bit systems. Until now, Libreboot relied mainly on GRUB and SeaBIOS, which limited compatibility with some modern operating systems and boot configurations.
With EDK2, Libreboot can now boot Windows 10 and 11, alongside Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and other UEFI-compatible operating systems. Modern Linux boot methods, including Unified Kernel Images and systemd-boot, are supported without requiring GRUB.
Importantly, users with existing installations are not left behind. Libreboot still includes EFI versions of GRUB and SeaBIOS for backward compatibility, accessible through the EDK2 boot menu. Older 32-bit-only systems continue using their previous boot setup.
Another major highlight is adding 233 Intel and AMD Chromebook configurations imported from the MrChromebox project. This significantly expands Libreboot’s hardware coverage, including support for newer Chromebook generations.
However, there is one important catch. These Chromebook configurations are currently available only as source code, so users must build their own firmware images. So far, only the Bay Trail-based Kip platform has been tested; the remaining configurations still need testing.
Apart from Chromebooks, Libreboot 26.10 adds support for several additional systems, including the Lenovo ThinkPad X270 and X280, Dell OptiPlex 5050 SFF and 3040 Micro, and Supermicro X11SSH-F motherboard.
The release also improves support for AMD Family 15h systems by switching to the 15h.org coreboot fork, which offers more reliable CPU and memory initialization, supports larger RAM configurations, and fixes features such as IOMMU.
Regarding graphics compatibility, thanks to EDK2, Libreboot can now work with newer graphics cards requiring memory allocations above 4 GB. However, Resizable BAR remains disabled by default due to issues affecting integrated Intel graphics.
On the usability side, systems using EDK2 now have persistent firmware settings via a standard setup interface. This lets users change options such as boot order without rebuilding the firmware, making everyday configuration easier.
Several underlying components have also been updated, including GRUB 2.16, EDK2 26.09.2, newer coreboot revisions, and SeaBIOS. The build system has received reliability improvements, and new testing utilities help detect configuration and compilation problems.
One more noteworthy change is the introduction of a strongly anti-AI policy in Libreboot’s new AGENTS.md file. Project developer Leah Rowe explicitly describes this as the most important change in the release.
Finally, existing Libreboot users should review the official release notes before upgrading. The transition to EDK2 involves substantial architectural changes, and some boot configurations may require attention.
Libreboot 26.10 is available for download from the project’s official download page, with prebuilt firmware images available for supported release targets. Chromebook firmware remains source-only for now.
