A is a specialized piece of software that manages the initial startup process of a device, bridging the gap between raw hardware and a functional operating system (OS). When you power on a computer or smartphone, the bootloader is responsible for initializing the hardware, verifying system integrity, and loading the OS kernel into memory to begin standard operation. Core Functions of a Bootloader
: Some bootloaders provide a menu for users to choose between different operating systems or boot modes (e.g., recovery mode).
: It configures essential components like the processor, memory (RAM), and storage controllers.