Boot management refers to the process of starting a computer and loading its operating system. When a computer is powered on, the BIOS or UEFI firmware initializes the hardware and locates the bootable device, such as a hard drive or USB drive. It then loads the bootloader, which is responsible for loading the operating system into memory. The bootloader can manage multiple operating systems, allowing users to choose which one to start. This is particularly useful in systems with dual-boot or multi-boot configurations, where different operating systems are installed on the same machine. Proper boot management ensures a smooth and efficient startup process.