Boot or change system into different operating modes

In this guide, you’ll learn how to view, set, and temporarily switch between different systemd targets on a Linux system. A systemd target defines which services and programs run (or remain inactive) at boot time—ranging from a full graphical desktop to a minimal emergency shell.

Understanding these targets helps you optimize boot behavior for servers, desktops, or recovery scenarios.

1. Understand Common systemd Targets

Target	Description	Typical Use Case
graphical.target	Full desktop environment with display manager	Workstations, desktops
multi-user.target	Text-mode login with networking and standard services	Servers, headless systems
rescue.target	Single-user mode with essential services	System maintenance, filesystem checks
emergency.target	Minimal shell on the root filesystem (read-only)	Critical repairs, root filesystem recovery

2. Check the Current Default Target

To display your system’s default boot target:

systemctl get-default

Example output:

graphical.target

graphical.target means the system will start the graphical interface by default.

3. Change the Default Target

You can switch your default boot target to control which mode the system enters on every reboot.

3.1 Set Default to Multi-User (Text Console)

sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target

Output:

Removed /etc/systemd/system/default.target.
Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/default.target → /usr/lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target.

Rebooting now drops you to a text-based login:

CentOS Stream 8
Kernel 4.18.0-365.el8.x86_64 on an x86_64

LFCS-CentOS login: aaron
Password:
[aaron@LFCS-CentOS ~]$

4. Temporarily Switch Targets without Reboot

Use the isolate command to move into another target immediately—this does not alter your default target.

sudo systemctl isolate graphical.target

Your session switches to the graphical environment, but on the next reboot you’ll return to whatever default target is configured.

5. Rescue and Emergency Modes

For critical troubleshooting, systemd provides two minimal targets.

5.1 rescue.target

Loads essential services and drops you to a root shell:

sudo systemctl isolate rescue.target

5.2 emergency.target

Mounts only the root filesystem (read-only) and gives you a minimal shell:

sudo systemctl isolate emergency.target

Note

Both rescue.target and emergency.target require a root password. Ensure root has a valid password before invoking these modes.

6. Restore Graphical Desktop as Default

To return to booting into the graphical interface by default:

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

Output:

Removed /etc/systemd/system/default.target.
Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/default.target → /usr/lib/systemd/system/graphical.target.

Links and References

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