v0.14.1.AA

• Synced with Upstream v0.14.1
• Adds SyncTrust Feature
  • The boot Chain of Trust may be broken on booting with 3rd-party tools on T2/TPM chipped units
  • When this happens, the unit refuses to boot the selected item and may even become unresponsive
  • This feature provides a workaround by triggering a trusted native reboot to the selected item
  • This feature can be enabled by activating a new sync_trust configuration token
• Adds LegacySync Feature
  • RefindPlus previously assumed all Macs were capable of legacy BIOS boot
    • This was from code that went in upstream in 2012 when this was a reasonable working assumption
      • However, Macs later became UEFI certified and the last Intel Macs appear to be UEFI Class 3+
      • UEFI Class 3/3+ devices do not support legacy BIOS boot
    • This feature attempts to categorise Macs and allow/disallow legacy BIOS boot accordingly
  • Enabled by default but can be disabled using a new disable_legacy_sync configuration token
    • Disabling might be needed if a Mac is mis-categorised and legacy BIOS boot wrongly prevented
• Adds HelpSize Feature
  • Provides option to force non-standard or otherwise unsupported screen resolutions
    • This can help work around issues where pre-boot configuration screen are not displayed
    • The issues are typically EDID related or the auto-selection of incorrect/incompatible resolutions
    • This aspect of the HelpSize feature requires booting into systems that fully support the graphics
  • An ExDPI category for screens with resolutions of 6400 x 4000 or more was created
    • UI elements are scaled up by four (4) on such screens when UI element scaling is active
    • UI elements on other HiDPI screens are still scaled up by two (2) with UI scaling active
  • Enabled by default but can be disabled using a new decline_help_size configuration token
    • The new token sets RefindPlus to only apply up to 2x UI element scaling
• Fixes Legacy BIOS Boot on Certified UEFI Class 2 Macs
  • Optimisations for speed had potentially disabled legacy BIOS boot on some Macs
  • This bug was introduced in v0.13.3.AB (Commit 66dbed0)
• Fixes Potential Memory Conflict
  • Some constants were passed to a function that reallocates memory
  • This bug was introduced in v0.14.0.AA (Commit 3fc36f5)
  • Extended in v0.14.0.AB (Commit 5cb1ed9)
• Fixes Display Resolution Handling
  • User defined resolutions were not being properly handled
    • Only the default, max, resolution was considered
    • This meant that instances with defined resolutions were not properly displayed
  • Separately, the selected resolution when seeking max was not always the actual maximum
  • Additionally, a HelpSize Feature, documented separately, was introduced
• Fixes DirectBoot Handling
  • Was not functional
• Fixes HelpScan Handling
  • Rationalises implementation
    • Could be applied, when disabled, to some items that should be excluded
• Improves SystemdVars Handling
  • The LoaderDevicePartUUID UEFI Variable is written to vRAM and not nvRAM
  • See: https://sf.net/p/refind/discussion/general/thread/d8dad2c475/
• Improves GraphicsFor Handling
  • Users can now set none under the use_graphics_for token to disable graphic mode boot
  • Users can now set everything to activate this for all boots
    • The previous option of setting use_graphics_for alone has also been fixed and remains
• Improves HiddenTags Handling
  • Shows volumes names along with GUID where only the GUID would have previously been shown
    • Allows human friendly instance identification when viewing the Restore Entries screen
  • Breaks backward compatibility with upstream when tags are hidden in RefindPlus
    • Tags hidden upstream remain forward compatible with RefindPlus
  • Fixes situation where some loaders in ESP locations were not hidden when selected on-screen (minus key)
    • Was also the case when full paths were used in dont_scan_files
• Improves License Presentation
  • Rationalises presentation to make clear it is on GPLv3/Later
• Improves MemTest Handling
  • Updated exclusion from loaders (Row 1 Items)
  • Updated to handle memtest+{ARCH}.efi and memtest86+{ARCH}.efi files as per upstream
• Improves ProtectNvram Handling
  • Now also blocks the CurrentPolicy and CurrentActivePolicy variables
• Improves SyncNVram Handling
  • Now also clears the opencore-version variable, if present, when booting into macOS directly
    • This variable is effectively an OpenCore Present flag that is checked by the macOS kernel
    • This variable removal only applies when RefindPlus is NOT chain-loaded via OpenCore
    • This variable removal also applies to macOS installers
  • Separately, the implementation of the base feature was not functional on macOS boots and was fixed
• Improves HelpIcon Handling
  • The following OS Icons are now cached on first load and reused as required afterwards when this feature is active
    • List is "os_mac", "os_win", "os_win8", "os_linux", "os_legacy", "os_clover", "os_opencore", "os_unknown", and "dummy image"
    • List is stored in TableBuiltinIconOS
  • Supplements the existing caching of items covered by BuiltinIconTable
    • The BuiltinIconTable item caching always happens with or without the HelpIcon feature
• Improves CleanNvram Handling
  • Now clears CurrentPolicy and CurrentActivePolicy variables on Apple firmware
• Improves Misc Handling
  • Restructured config file into four (4) sections
  • Completed LodePNG 20230410 update started in v0.14.0.AC
  • Renames the cd item under the scanfor config token as cdbios
    • Provides clarity that this is a BIOS scan option
    • Maintains compatibility with existing settings including upstream
  • The TimeoutSeconds item in REFIT_MENU_SCREEN was changed to INTN
    • Follow on from fix to Timeout item in REFIT_CONFIG previously changed to INTN
    • The original fix for SilentBoot/DirectBoot was incomplete (Commit 78d6138 in v0.13.2.AH)
  • Applied misc micro optimisation for speed
    • Restructured search pattern for config tokens
    • Optimised LoadDrivers function
  • Misc fixes for running in TextOnly mode
  • Adjusted AppleFramebuffer handling to eliminate unneeded cycles
• Renames Misc Configuration Tokens
  • disable_amfi to disable_check_amfi
  • disable_compat_check to disable_check_compat

v0.14.0.AC

• Adds SyncNVram Feature
  • Sets RefindPlus to always clear some nvRAM settings on certain boot types
    • Currently applied to Bluetooth settings for macOS
      • bluetoothInternalControllerinfo
      • bluetoothActiveControllerInfo
      • bluetoothExternalDongleFailed
  • The feature can be enabled using a new sync_nvram configuration token
• Adds PersistBootArgs Feature
  • Outputs of macOS boot argument related settings are now written to vRAM instead of to nvRAM
    • This is to reduce wear and tear on the nvRAM storage chip
  • Enabled by default but can be disabled using a new persist_boot_args configuration token
• Fixes HelpIcon Feature
  • The feature had been switched off by default instead of being switched on
  • This bug was introduced in v0.14.0.AB (Commit 9dcd45a)
• Fixes Legacy MBR, including Legacy Windows, Handling
  • Negatively impacted by Volume->RootDir filtering in the DontScanVolumes check consolidation
  • This bug was introduced in v0.14.0.AB (Commit a92b376)
• Improves Misc Handling
  • Partially back-ported LodePNG updates
  • Additional CSR scenarios are now recognised
  • Updated misc function structures to improve speed
    • Variable initialisation tweaks
    • Memory handling tweaks to prefer stack over heap where possible
  • MemLog resolution set to 1/10000 seconds (1/10 milliseconds)
    • For timing accuracy when RefindPlus loads under a second
    • Previous resolution was 1/1000 seconds (1 millisecond)
  • Extend ostype Coverage in Manual Stanzas
    • Now includes RefitVariant, OpenCore, and Clover
    • These are additional to the upstream original items
    • Manual stanzas stay in Section 3 of the config file
• Improves Graphics Handling
  • Improvements to handling Appleframebuffer
  • Improvements to handling Graphics Pass Through
    • Misc optimisation
    • The PassGopThrough feature added in 0.13.3.AD is now user configurable
      • Enabled by default but can now be disabled using a new disable_pass_gop_thru configuration token
  • Improvements to handling misc graphics items
  • Amendments to GOP Graphics Handling
    • GOP is now provided/replaced on the ConsoleOut handle by default when required
    • Hence, the "Opt-In" provide_console_gop token is replaced by the "Opt-Out" disable_set_consolegop
• Improves SetBootArgs Handling
  • The set_boot_args configuration token can now take a -none setting
  • This permits disabling previous settings in supplementary/theme config files
• Improves Misc Linux Distro Handling
  • Now better labelled
• Improves Icon File Scanning
  • Optimises VolumeIcon and VolumeBadges searches
  • These items are now only scanned for displayed volumes
  • Improves loading speed by reducing disk I/O access
• Improves macOS Installer Handling
  • Now better identified and labelled
• Improves RotateCSR Handling
  • Now displays a confirmation input screen before execution
  • The NormaliseCSR feature was always applied when rotating
• Amends Non Standard Binary Handling
  • Apple 'Fat' Binary now also assumed valid on UEFI-PC
  • Consistent with upstream implementation
    • 'Plain' Binaries are assumed valid on Apple firmware
    • Upstream considers such invalid on all firmware types
• Amends HideUIFlags Handling
  • Now aligned with behaviour of other configuration tokens
    • Existing settings are now overridden by settings in supplementary/theme config files
    • Settings in supplementary/theme config files were previously added to existing ones
  • A new flag, none, was added
    • Allows reseting the token in supplementary/theme config files
    • Takes priority over all other settings whenever present
• Amends Ventoy Handling
  • Specific Ventoy handling is now disabled unless enabled via a new handle_ventoy configuration token
    • This eliminates time on spent on unnecessary searches
    • Also eliminates a default divergence from upstream
  • Whole Disk volumes with Legacy Bootcode were previously hidden whenever Ventoy was present
    • This was to avoid spurious/unbootable instances appearing
      • This however affected legitimate instances without a way to override the behaviour
    • Now attempts to target this when handle_ventoy is set or lets them appear instead
    • Users can hide unwanted instances if required
• Amends SilenceAPFS Feature
  • No longer separately user configurable and subsumed into the SupplyAPFS feature
  • The associated disable_apfs_mute configuration token is now removed and ignored if set
• Removes HelpTags Feature
  • The issue the feature was meant to fix does not actually exist
  • The associated decline_help_tags configuration token is now removed and ignored if set
• Renames Configuration Token
  • decline_apple_fb to disable_set_applefb

v0.14.0.AB

1. Attached a replacement package, HotFix-01, to address misc post release issues¹

---

• Adds HelpScan Feature
  • Ensures that some typically unwanted loaders are not displayed in the first row
    • Enforces tools only appearing in the second row
    • Always adds program default items for exclusion to user defined ones
  • Enabled by default but can be disabled using a new decline_help_scan configuration token
    • The new token sets RefindPlus to follow the upstream implementation
• Fixes MemTest Tool
  • The MemTest fallback loader file was not recognised as a MemTest loader
  • Hence MemTest could only be run via explicit MemTest efi files
  • This bug was introduced in v0.12.0.AN (Commit 44b53e8)
• Improves Ventoy Handling
  • Removes multiple redundant/invalid loader options that otherwise appear
  • Displays an os_ventoy icon if present
• Improves ScaleUI Handling
  • Eliminates extra UI scaling that may happen on main screen rescans
• Improves SyncAPFS Handling
  • Handles synced multi instance APFS container volumes in DontScanVolumes list
  • Stores APFS Roles in volume object instead of retrieving such each time
• Improves Misc External Screen Tool Handling
  • Some tools that run external screens, such as GDisk, may change volume device paths
  • Hence, on return, RefindPlus did not operate as it should
  • Previously fixed but re-emerged and now addressed again
• Improves Linux Param File Handling
  • A memory conflict meant the files were not always read
• Improves Filesystem Driver Handling
  • Resolves failure to install on some handles
• Improves GPT Handling
  • Applies misc minor tweaks
• Improves Comma Delimited Strings Handling
  • Now accommodates leading spaces before string elements
• Improves Loader Icon Handling
  • Provides generic Linux fallback for some distros
  • Prevents fallback loaders with invalid architectures from being displayed
• Improves AlsoScan Feature Handling
  • The @root/boot path was removed from the default also_scan_dirs list
  • Added in v0.13.3.AD but users should be able to add this if required
• Renames Misc Configuration Tokens
  • decline_nvram_protect to disable_nvram_protect
  • decline_reload_gop to disable_reload_gop
  • decline_apfs_load to disable_apfs_load
  • decline_apfs_mute to disable_apfs_mute
  • decline_apfs_sync to disable_apfs_sync
  • decline_apple_fb to disable_provide_fb

---

1. HotFix 01: 01 Nov 23 ↩

v0.14.0.AA

1. Attached a replacement package, HotFix-01, to address misc post release issues¹

---

• Synced with Upstream v0.14.0
• Updates Deprecated EFI 1.x Protocols
  • Misc deprecated protocols aligned with UEFI 2.x specs
  • Some are related to filesystem drivers; for which updated versions are created accordingly
• Adds HelpIcon Feature
  • Improves loading speed by preferring the current theme's generic/default loader icons
  • Enabled by default but can be disabled using a new decline_help_icon configuration token
• Adds GZippedLoaders Feature
  • Stub implementation of upstream feature focused on the ARM architecture
• Adds Misc Upstream Changes/Fixes
  • Adoption of the RefindPlus FollowSymlinks Feature
  • also_scan_dirs Volume Specification Bugfix
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/code/ci/fde8116021e1c6ea7edaf3fae15fced47bbb38cf
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/discussion/general/thread/b411f33f37
  • Malformed refind_linux.conf Freeze Bugfix
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/code/ci/ebe510a5fcdc10fc04f90e0976c47de54b8c767e
  • Parallel FS Driver GNU-EFI Build Limitation
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/code/ci/dc211965727921bf8e9440fdab5e147795ce9584
  • Memory leak and garbled JPEG when compiled on some Linux distributions
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/code/ci/8825e5e815b4be3708edd7b8d9fa3ea658094d3b
  • Apparent Memory Allocation Conflict
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/code/ci/5e2d0ac3fb76a8daab3a8199d0b0c52dc792b84f
  • Upstream LinuxPrefixes Feature
    • https://sf.net/p/refind/code/ci/d5c0a48a01427ed7a3cb3eb324c59fb965358b1d
• Fixes ReloadGOP Feature
  • A regression had meant that the feature was not active
  • This bug was introduced in v0.13.3.AD (Commit dc642c6)
• Improves SupplyNVME Feature
  • Further isolated from other code
• Improves SupplyAPFS Feature
  • Now run after device connection to ensure APFS availability
  • This should also resolve availability with some third party flashed GPUs
• Improves AcquireGOP Feature
  • Now handles uncompressed OptionROMs
  • None encountered to date but theoretically possible
• Improves AlsoScan Feature
  • The @root/boot path was added to the default also_scan_dirs list
• Improves DynamicCSR Feature
  • Now also enables the RotateCSR tool if configured to be displayed
    • The tool was previously always disabled when DynamicCSR was active
  • Now attempts up to three (3) rotations
    • Some users have more than two (2) CSR settings
    • Stops at the first match of the target setting or after the third attempt
  • A screen message about NormalisedCSR was additionally suppressed
• Improves Generic Menu Handling
  • Now provides a Return to Main Menu option on all such menus
• Improves OpenCore Instance Handling
  • Now prevents loading OpenCore when RefindPlus is loaded via OpenCore
  • That is, prevents loading OpenCore when it is already active
• Improves NvramProtect and NvramProtectEx Features
  • Now disabled when RefindPlus is loaded via OpenCore
• Exposes MitigatePrimedBuffer Feature for User Configuration
  • Previously activated by default on all types of firmware
  • A limited base implementation is always active on Non-Apple firmware
  • Can now be extended on by activating a new mitigate_primed_buffer token
  • The feature does not operate on Apple firmware regardless of the token setting
• Amends Filesystem Drivers
  • BTRFS: Adds support for RAID1C34 profiles
    • Ported from Grub2 via https://sf.net/p/refind/code/merge-requests/48
  • MISC: Tweaks driver name strings and other minor items
• Amends Big Selection Image Size Filtering
  • The maximum Big Selection image size is increased to 512px from 320px
  • The Small Selection image maximum is maintained at 256px
• Amends EFI File Validity Checks
  • Apple Fat Binaries are now always assumed to be valid on Apple firmware
  • This similarly applies to binaries with missing PE32+ headers

---

1. HotFix 01: 22 Jul 23 ↩

v0.13.3.AD

• Fixes Manual Stanza SubMenuEntries
  • A memory conflict meant that including such entries resulted in RefindPlus hanging
• Fixes UGA Graphics
  • Addresses issue of UGA-Only GPUs being always forced into TextOnly mode
• Fixes Misc Alt Build Function Duplication Issues
  • Addresses issues reported using the build process at https://github.com/xaionaro/edk2-builder-docker
    • Updates LodePNG to Version 20221108
    • Deduplicates DebugLog function and aligns calling convention
• Fixes Forced Default Config Settings
  • Forced Defaults, typically based on firmware type, could be skipped under some circumstances
  • This gap has now been closed
• Fixes Invalid ShowTools Entry Handling
  • Such invalid entries were previously only flagged and not actually handled
  • These are now additionally skipped
• Improves DefaultSelection Feature
  • A substring match is now only attempted if an exact match fails
• Improves CSR Handling
  • Multiple tweaks to improve handling CSR settings
  • Removes Limitation of DynamicCSR Feature to Apple Firmware
  • DynamicCSR also now runs whenever RefindPlus is loaded and not just when specific loaders are started
• Improves System Shutdown/Restart Handling
  • Now displays a confirmation input screen before execution
• Improves Misc Graphics Handling
  • Improves graphics related memory management
  • Improves UGA support via new PassGopThrough feature (Not user configurable)
• Amends Selection Image Size Filtering
  • The maximum Big Selection image size is increased to 320px from 256px
  • The Small Selection image maximum is maintained at 256px
  • The default selection image is now used when a defined image cannot be found
    • Previously used a scaled version of the small image when the big one was missing
• Amends Invalid UEFI Versions Handling
  • Now accounts for such by reducing the amendment threshold to UEFI 2.0
  • Still amends to UEFI 2.3 when UEFI amendments happen
  • No longer amends Runtime Services for UEFI amendments
  • No longer disables certain features on detecting inconsistent versions
  • No longer displays a warning message and the discrepancy is only logged
  • Fixes Memory Conflict in 'Invalid EFI Versions' Debug Logging
    • The DBG build had an invalid memory allocation instance that results in a hang when logging detection
• Amends and Refactors Misc Items
  • General optimisation
  • Memory management improvements and fixes
  • Log file handling tweaks
• Amends ScanAllESP Feature
  • Now aligned with upstream implementation and scans all ESPs by default
  • Hence, the "Opt-Out" decline_esp_filter token has been replaced by an "Opt-In" enable_esp_filter token
  • A previous issue where the token operated the wrong way round has been fixed

v0.13.3.AC

• Adds NvramProtectEx Feature
  • Extends the NvramProtect feature (if set) to Mac OS and Unknown UEFI boots
  • The feature can be enabled using a new nvram_protect_ex configuration token
    • Replaces the FocusNvramFix feature which has been removed
    • Essentially restores functionality from EnableMacosFilter previously replaced by FocusNvramFix
• Fixes QueryVariableInfo Handling
  • Now properly handled on UEFI-Mac units
  • The output is not currently presented however as Apple firmare does not return accurate information
• Fixes Misc Static Analysis Flags
  • Some are related to filesystem drivers; for which updated versions are created accordingly
• Improves SetVariable Hook/Event Handling
  • Misc improvements including improved memory management
  • Relevant to the NvramProtect feature
• Improves Mac Recovery Tool Scan
  • Now skips some invalid entries such as APFS Recovery partitions
• Improves ScreenShot Feature
  • Now clears the keystroke buffer in egScreenShot to mitigate against stuck keys
• Improves Clean NVRAM Feature
  • Particularly regarding clearing OpenCore related variables
• Improves Time Bound Primed Buffer Mitigation
  • Rationalises intervention threshold
• Improves UI Element Scaling
  • Some units use a low resolution display for the boot stage that result in distorted UI
  • RefindPlus can now detect this and automatically scale UI elements down accordingly
  • Alternatively, users can use the scale_ui token to scale UI elements down
  • The threshold below which the display is considered LoRez is 1025px
  • Ensures correct icon scales are maintained on RescanAll calls
• Amends SupplyNVME and SupplyUEFI Features
  • No longer supplied by default but when specifically activated
  • Hence, the "Opt-Out" decline_nvme_load token has been replaced by an "Opt-In" supply_nvme token
  • The "Opt-Out" decline_uefi_emulate token has also been replaced by an "Opt-In" supply_uefi token
  • A previous failure to be activated when NVME support was absent has been fixed
• Renames Misc Configuration Tokens
  • decline_tags_help to decline_help_tags
  • decline_text_help to decline_help_text

v0.13.3.AB

• Adds PreferUGA Feature
  • Sets RefindPlus to always use UGA for its graphics output when available
    • The default is to use GOP and to fall back on UGA when GOP is not available
  • The feature can be enabled using a new prefer_uga configuration token
• Adds FollowSymlinks Feature
  • Allows following symbolic links to loaders
  • These are otherwise ignored to avoid misc issues but may be useful to run some Linux setups
  • The feature can be enabled using a new follow_symlinks configuration token
• Adds FocusNvramFix Feature
  • Focuses the ProtectNVRAM feature (if set) on explicit UEFI Windows boots
  • The feature can be enabled using a new focus_nvram_fix configuration token
    • Replaces the EnableMacosFilter feature which has been removed
• Fixes Unwanted APFS Data Volume Entries
  • APFS data volumes could sometimes appear as boot options due to inadequate filtering
• Fixes SubScreen Boots
  • Boots from subscreens, such as after pressing F2, were handled as generic UEFI files
  • This resulted in some processes being skipped or unwanted processes being applied
  • RefindPlus now tries to make such boots specific as follows:
    • Opencore, Clover, Linux, MacOS, Windows and Misc Others
• Fixes Apple Hardware Test Option
  • While Apple stopped providing this feature after June 2013, some users may have restored this
    • Ref: https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest
  • In such cases however, RefindPlus did not provide the option on APFS volumes when SyncAPFS is active
  • Now reinstated subject to not having multiple MacOS instances in any single APFS container
• Fixes Misc Items
  • Always block UEFI Windows NVRAM items (Disregard Volatility)
  • Address misidentification of certain volume types as HFS+ volumes
  • Address misplaced Out and Return log tags
  • Eliminate excessive pointer event logging
  • Eliminate python script code smells
• Improves System Reset Call Fix
  • Was previously always active when on system reboot calls
  • This meant such calls always required confirmation
  • Such confirmations are no longer required if keypresses had taken place before the call
  • Hence all legitimate calls now proceed without issue and buffered keystroke calls are also captured
• Improves FS Type Handling
  • Prevents Windows Support Volumes from being offered as boot options
  • Updates Volume FS_TYPE setting to match assumed types
  • Differentiates between HFS+ types
• Improves Time Bound Primed Buffer Mitigation
  • Reduces intervention threshold based on detection of confirmed user key presses
• Amends the ShouldScan Function to Exclude HFS+ Recovery HD Volumes
  • This recovery functionality was meant to be handled by the Mac Recovery Tool
• Amends the WarnIfLegacyProblems Function Run Position
  • Now runs after the SetupScreen function to ensure screen display on issues
• Amends EFI Scan to Exclude BOOTCAMP
  • BootCamp creates HybridMBR disks and trigger redundant attempts to find EFI loaders
• Ports Downstream Directory Scan Iteration Fix
  • Ref: joevt@8d03f98

v0.13.3.AA

• Synced with Upstream v0.13.3
• Adds EnableMacosFilter Feature
  • This feature is active by default and activates the ProtectNVRAM feature, if enabled, on MacOS boots
  • The ProtectNVRAM feature, if enabled, is activated for other applicable OS types regardless
  • The EnableMacosFilter feature can be disabled using a new decline_macos_filter configuration token
• Adds DisableNvramPanicLog Feature
  • Sets a MacOS nvram_paniclog=0 boot argument to disable kernel panic logging to NVRAM
  • Replaces the PanicFilter feature which has been removed
• Adds NvramVariableLimit Feature
  • Filters NVRAM variable write attempts
  • Variables larger than a specified size are discarded
  • This is activated by a new nvram_variable_limit configuration token
• Adds DecoupleKeyF10 Feature
  • Unlinks the F10 key from the built in screenshot feature
  • Allows the use of 3rd party screenshot tools that also map the F10 key
  • The \ (forward slash) key remains linked to the built in screenshot feature
  • This is activated by a new decouple_key_f10 configuration token
• Fixes DisableAMFI Feature
  • The feature had been disabled under some circumstances
  • This bug was introduced in v0.13.2.AP (Commit 8705fdb)
• Improves HandleSignedInt Function
  • Ensures the function always returns a negative value when required
• Improves FindMenuShortcutEntry Function
  • Now initially tries a exact match of the stored string against available entries
  • A match against substrings is only tried if an exact match is not found
• Improves Pointer Device Handling
  • Applies workaround for touch mode failure
    • Ref: https://sf.net/p/refind/discussion/general/thread/86f80fa8ef
  • Rationalises pointer priority with EnableTouch always having priority over EnableMouse
    • Previously depended on order of appearance in configuration file
• Renames Misc Configuration Tokens
  • decline_nvramprotect to decline_nvram_protect
  • decline_uefiemulate to decline_uefi_emulate
  • decline_espfilter to decline_esp_filter
  • decline_apfsload to decline_apfs_load
  • decline_apfsmute to decline_apfs_mute
  • decline_apfssync to decline_apfs_sync
  • decline_nvmeload to decline_nvme_load
  • decline_tagshelp to decline_tags_help
  • decline_texthelp to decline_text_help
  • decline_applefb to decline_apple_fb

v0.13.2.AP

Change 01: 21 Apr 22¹.

---

• Adds PanicFilter Feature
  • RefindPlus now discards NVRAM write attempts of kernel panic information by default
  • Can be disabled using a new decline_panicfilter configuration token
  • Currently limited to when directly booting MacOS from RefindPlus
• Adds SupplyAppleFB Feature
  • Attempts to provide AppleFramebuffers on Macs when absent under certain circumstances
  • Can be disabled using a new decline_applefb configuration token
• Adds TextHelp Feature
  • Uses complementary text colours to improve legibility
  • Can be disabled using a new decline_texthelp configuration token
    • Only when using a custom title banner
    • Always on when using the default title banner
• Adds IconRowMove Feature
  • Allows repositioning the icon row position on the RefindPlus screen
    • Sometimes needed when icons block parts of custom banners
  • Base position can be specified using a new icon_row_move configuration token
• Adds IconRowTune Feature
  • Allows adjustments to the IconRowMove position
  • Offset value can be specified using a new icon_row_tune configuration token
• Adds RansomDrives Feature
  • Some types of firmware, notably on HP Notebooks, may lock some partitions
    • This renders them inaccessible or may even lead to RefindPlus hanging
  • Such partitions can be unlocked by setting a new ransom_drives configuration token
  • This option is currently always disabled on Apple firmware
• Adds RescanDXE Feature
  • Controls scanning for newly revealed DXE drivers when connecting handles
    • Switch ON or OFF with a new disable_rescan_dxe configuration token
  • This was previously done by default but may negatively impact loading speed
  • Typically only required when running non-native filesystems
• Adds DriverPriority Feature
  • Asigns a higher priority to drivers loaded by RefindPlus
  • Ensures that such are loaded when other similar drivers exist (mainly in the firmware)
  • Currently tied to the RansomDrives Feature and only activated when that feature is active
• Adds HaltSeconds Function
  • Works as PauseSeconds does, but does not terminate on keypress
• Fixes Unicode Collation
  • Now checks for and uses Unicode Collation Protocol instances that support English
  • Previously simply selected the first instance found (Inherited)
  • This should allow proper support for languages using unicode text
• Improves UEFI Runtime Function Wrapping
  • The wrapped UEFI Runtime SetVariable function is now better managed
• Improves TransientBoot Feature
  • Now removes pre-existing PreviousBoot instances when booting with this option set
• Improves DirectBoot Feature
  • Previously failed when a keyboard was not connected
  • Minimises screen shudder when the ESC key is held down to override DirectBoot
• Improves ScreenShot Feature
  • Properly limited to one (1) sreenshot per keypress
    • Removes limitation of the keypress not continuing beyond the on-screen message display
  • Fixes Screenshots being only functional for the main RefindPlus screen
    • This bug was introduced in v0.13.2.AN (Commit 99da7ce)
• Improves HandleSignedInt Function
  • Removed limitation on handled values
• Improves egDisplaymessage Function
  • Now includes option to pause in the function
    • Previously needed a separate call
  • Now erases the message after the display (if a pause is invoked)
    • Previously only properly erased when called on the main screen
    • The erasure was however also lost on the main screen when IconRowMove and/or IconRowTune is active
    • Now fixed for all screens but artefacts may result with some custom banners
• Improves CleanNvram Feature
  • The Emulated NVRAM on the filesystem is now also cleared
  • Now triggers NVRAM garbage collection on Macs when run
    • This is an equivalent of manually setting nvram ResetNVRam=1
• Improves ProtectNVRAM Feature
  • Adds rEFIt Variant to UEFI Loaders filtered for ProtectNVRAM
    • Made up of RefindPlus, rEFIt and rEFInd files chain-loaded from named locations
    • The ProtectNVRAM feature is not enabled for such loaders
  • Now checks new NVRAM write entries against existing entries
    • Only updates the entries when absent or different
    • Filtering these reduces NVRAM writes and associated wear and tear
  • Expands blocked SecureBoot related items
  • Now clears existing instances of blocked variables
  • Adds UnlockID and UnlockIDCopy to filtered items
    • These are not certificates but work in concert with the certificates
    • Hence, not required once certificates are filtered
    • Filtering these reduces NVRAM writes and associated wear and tear
  • Filters out the Current OEM Policy from post-block clean up
    • Removal may have negative impact on UEFI-PC
    • Not strictly needed as ProtectNVRAM is currently limited to Apple Firmware
    • Considered best to add a filter now in case that changes in future
• Improves Identification of Linux Instances
  • vmlinuz, bzImage, and kernel loaders are now accounted for as Linux loaders
  • The ProtectNVRAM feature is now not applied to such loaders
  • The grub loader was already accounted for
• Improves OS Boot Filtering
  • The OSType flag is now taken into account
• Improves Load Error/Warning Display
  • The ContinueOnWarning feature is forced on temporarily if required
• Improves Time Bound Primed Buffer Mitigation
  • Mitigates against RefindPlus spontaneously running default items
  • Intervention is based on a rising threshold based on build type and presence of Apple firmware
  • Also doubles threshold time when external disks are detected
    • The issue appears to be worse when such disks are connected
• Removes BootKicker feature
  • The feature was added as part of attempts to provide the RefindPlus screen on MacPro5,1
  • This was ultimately achieved via other means but the feature was maintained for potential benefits
  • The feature never actually worked properly however, hence the removal
• Amends GOP Mode Selection Preference
  • RefindPlus defaults to selecting the maximum resolution GOP Mode when a screen resolution is not specified
  • When two modes have the same resolution, the later mode was used
  • This is now changed to prefer the first mode found
• Amends OpenProtocol Remapping on Macs without AppleFramebuffers
  • The remapping is now disabled when GOP is absent on any type of firmware
  • It is now also disabled when AppleFramebuffers are absent on Apple firmware
  • This is to avoid potential memory management issues pending further investigation
• Amends Default Loader Scan for APFS Support Volumes
  • APFS Recovery, Update and VM volumes are now added to the DontScanVolume list by default
• Amends Scan for .VolumeIcons and VolumeBadges
  • Volumes in the DontScanVolume list are now skipped
• Amends System Table Reallocations
  • No longer copies memory for system table reallocations
  • Some Mac models fail to boot with this following recent firmware updates
  • Other recent changes to RefindPlus may have also affected booting 'FileVault' encrypted volumes
• Amends HandleProtocol Stashing
  • No longer stashes and restores HandleProtocol on OcProvideConsoleGop call
• Renames the SilentBoot Feature as DirectBoot
  • This more accurately describes the feature.
• Renames Misc Tokens to Permit Grouping of Related Tokens
  • The uga_pass_through token is renamed as pass_uga_through
  • The XYZ_hidden_icons tokens are renamed as hidden_icons_XYZ
  • The XYZ_renderer tokens are renamed as renderer_XYZ
• Extends fixes on Mac Recovery Implementation for MacOS on APFS
  • Adjusted to cover all MacOS instances on APFS
  • APFS Recovery Volumes are handled as Mac Recovery Tools and not as volumes with loaders
  • IMPORTANT:
    • This implementation is still a work in progress ... feedback required/welcome

---

1. Updated attached files to include post release PanicFilter feature fix ↩

v0.13.2.AN

Change 01: 23 Feb 22¹.

---

• Multiple Misc Stability Fixes
  • Major refactoring and restructuring for improved stability
  • Also applied to filesystem drivers
• Adds SupplyUEFI Feature
  • Adds an implementation of the CreateEventEx feature to EFI 1.x units
  • Additionally, the EFI Revision is modified to present as UEFI 2.3
  • This allows the use of UEFI 2.x tools and drivers on Legacy EFI 1.x units in many cases
  • This is particularly the case on Legacy Macs, which already have amended EFI 1.x implementations
  • This functionality can be disabled by setting the decline_uefiemulate token
  • As an aside, the RuntimeServices table is now also amended in AmendSysTable
• Adds SilentBoot Feature
  • RefindPlus inherited a mode where a default selection was run after an instant timeout
  • A shortcut key for a loader could also be pressed to run that particular loader instead
  • This mode is activated by setting the timeout config token to -1
  • However, the RefindPlus screen was briefly loaded before the target option was run
    • This created an unwanted screen flash and also removed the BGRT logo
  • The default selection is now run without showing the screen at all instead (Based on an upstream update)
  • The mode is now truly silent as there is no video output unless overridden (BGRT logos are maintained)
    • Override is initiated by holding down the ESC key immediately after starting RefindPlus
    • Shortcut keys can also be pressed
      • In such cases, the loader associated with the key will be run instead of the default
      • There will be no video output by RefindPlus similar to the default case
• Fixes Forced TextRenderer
  • The TextRenderer feature is forced on in certain circumstances to enable text mode support
  • This appears to have resulted in conflicts on some Macs following a firmware update
  • The firmware update appears to have made changes to screen mode settings
  • The forced activation has been amended to avoid this issue
• Fixes SystemTable Restoration
  • The code was previously not operational
  • This has now been fixed but is now limited to when SupplyUEFI is inactive
• Fixes Major Memory Conflict
  • An item had been wrongly freed and resulted in random crashes when running loaders
  • This bug was introduced in v0.13.2.AC (Commit 6ed58c5)
• Fixes DontScanVolumes for Synced APFS Instances
  • Limited to Single Instance APFS Containers
• Fixes Reported LodePNG Name Collisions
  • This apparently affected Docker builds on Linux
• Amends Handling of Inconsistent EFI Versions
  • RefindPlus now disables all functionality involving UEFI element changes when this is detected
  • A detection of inconsistent EFI versions suggests RefindPlus has been chain-loaded
  • This is most likely to be as a result of chain-loading from OpenCore with ForgeUefiSupport set
  • The disabled features can typically also be set in OpenCore
• Improves ProtectNVRAM Implementation
  • RefindPlus classifies UEFI Loaders into one of the following categories:
    • Opencore, Clover, Linux, MacOS, Windows and Others
  • Only security certificates generated by Windows UEFI Loaders were blocked by ProtectNVRAM
  • However, UEFI Windows installers/updaters may fall into the Others category and generate such certificates
  • Hence, certificates generated by UEFI Loaders that fall into the Others category are now also blocked
  • The feature remains only active on Apple firmware and can be disabled by setting the decline_nvramprotect token
• Improves SyncAPFS Implementation
  • The presence of valid VolUUID and PartGUID is now taken into account
  • SyncAPFS is disabled if either has a NULL Guid value
• Improves Screenshot Feature
  • Feedback on success/failure is given via on-screen messages
  • Each press of the F10 key now results in only one image being saved
    • This is subject to the key press not continuing beyond the on-screen message display
• Improves Memory Management
  • Multiple memory management improvements
• Improves Build Process
  • RELEASE builds are further optimised
    • The MDEPKG_NDEBUG EDK2 functionality is leveraged to:
      • Reduce file size
      • Ensure consistent files on different builds
        • EDK2 otherwise only guarantees functional consistency
        • This now enforces additional structural consistency
        • Builds with different file paths will now be the same
  • Calls to ASSERT, and similar, are activated on DEBUG Builds
    • Failed ASSERT calls put RefindPlus into a Deadloop
  • Enables NOOPT Build Target
    • This is a debug build with misc compile time optimisation items disabled
    • Log Level 2 is only exposed on this build target
  • The REFIT_DEBUG define has been converted to a compiler option
    • The constant is no longer defined in global.h and instead set in RefindPlus.inf
    • This change removes the need for compile time edits to set build targets
    • The requirements are now managed transparently by the build process itself
  • The various *.inf files for filesystem drivers etc, have been standardised
    • These now follow a clearer standard format
• Renames the ignore_previous_boot config option as transient_boot
  • This more accurately describes the feature.
    • The current boot selection is not saved, it becomes transient, but any previously saved boot is set as the default

---

1. Added Alt-RefindPlus_x64-001302.AN package. This includes post release fixes for failure to boot on some machines. ↩