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Change the Default Boot Target with systemctl

Make Linux boot to a text console to save resources, or restore the graphical desktop as default.

LinuxbootservicessystemdMedium risk
Run sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target to boot to text mode next time; use graphical.target to go back.

01Command

Command
$ sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target

02What it does

systemd boots into a target, and graphical.target starts the display manager while multi-user.target stops after the network and console login. set-default replaces the default.target symlink so the change persists across reboots, and get-default shows the current choice. This is the systemd replacement for editing the old /etc/inittab.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
!Warning: You will still reach a normal login prompt; to log into the GUI once without changing the default, run sudo systemctl start graphical.target.

04Undo

Undo
$ sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

05Sources

  • systemctl(1) — Debian manpage
    Debian · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Debian manpage describes set-default TARGET as setting the default boot target, e.g. multi-user.target or graphical.target
  • systemctl(1) — man7.org
    man7.org · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Man page documents systemctl get-default and set-default for changing the default boot target

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: System & Settings

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