diff --git a/pcsx2-qt/Main.cpp b/pcsx2-qt/Main.cpp
index b26daa564a..1992dc62e3 100644
--- a/pcsx2-qt/Main.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2-qt/Main.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ static void PrintCommandLineHelp(const char* progname)
 	std::fprintf(stderr, "\n");
 	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -help: Displays this information and exits.\n");
 	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -version: Displays version information and exits.\n");
-	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -batch: Enables batch mode (exits after powering off).\n");
+	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -batch: Enables batch mode (exits after shutting down).\n");
+	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -elf <file>: Overrides the boot ELF with the specified filename.\n");
+	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -disc <path>: Uses the specified host DVD drive as a source.\n");
 	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -fastboot: Force fast boot for provided filename.\n");
 	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -slowboot: Force slow boot for provided filename.\n");
 	std::fprintf(stderr, "  -resume: Load resume save state. If a boot filename is provided,\n"
@@ -64,10 +66,8 @@ static void PrintCommandLineHelp(const char* progname)
 static std::shared_ptr<VMBootParameters>& AutoBoot(std::shared_ptr<VMBootParameters>& autoboot)
 {
 	if (!autoboot)
-	{
 		autoboot = std::make_shared<VMBootParameters>();
-		autoboot->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
-	}
+
 	return autoboot;
 }
 
@@ -134,6 +134,12 @@ static bool ParseCommandLineOptions(int argc, char* argv[], std::shared_ptr<VMBo
 				AutoBoot(autoboot)->elf_override = argv[++i];
 				continue;
 			}
+			else if (CHECK_ARG_PARAM("-disc"))
+			{
+				AutoBoot(autoboot)->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::Disc;
+				AutoBoot(autoboot)->filename = argv[++i];
+				continue;
+			}
 			else if (CHECK_ARG("-fullscreen"))
 			{
 				Console.WriteLn("Going fullscreen after booting.");
@@ -172,12 +178,10 @@ static bool ParseCommandLineOptions(int argc, char* argv[], std::shared_ptr<VMBo
 #undef CHECK_ARG_PARAM
 		}
 
-		if (!AutoBoot(autoboot)->source.empty())
-			AutoBoot(autoboot)->source += ' ';
-		else
-			AutoBoot(autoboot)->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::Iso;
+		if (!AutoBoot(autoboot)->filename.empty())
+			AutoBoot(autoboot)->filename += ' ';
 
-		AutoBoot(autoboot)->source += argv[i];
+		AutoBoot(autoboot)->filename += argv[i];
 	}
 
 	return true;
diff --git a/pcsx2-qt/MainWindow.cpp b/pcsx2-qt/MainWindow.cpp
index fad60120b7..a025c7aa1f 100644
--- a/pcsx2-qt/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2-qt/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -608,7 +608,10 @@ void MainWindow::clearProgressBar()
 	m_ui.statusBar->removeWidget(m_status_progress_widget);
 }
 
-bool MainWindow::isShowingGameList() const { return m_ui.mainContainer->currentIndex() == 0; }
+bool MainWindow::isShowingGameList() const
+{
+	return m_ui.mainContainer->currentIndex() == 0;
+}
 
 void MainWindow::switchToGameListView()
 {
@@ -641,11 +644,20 @@ void MainWindow::switchToEmulationView()
 	m_display_widget->setFocus();
 }
 
-void MainWindow::refreshGameList(bool invalidate_cache) { m_game_list_widget->refresh(invalidate_cache); }
+void MainWindow::refreshGameList(bool invalidate_cache)
+{
+	m_game_list_widget->refresh(invalidate_cache);
+}
 
-void MainWindow::invalidateSaveStateCache() { m_save_states_invalidated = true; }
+void MainWindow::invalidateSaveStateCache()
+{
+	m_save_states_invalidated = true;
+}
 
-void MainWindow::reportError(const QString& title, const QString& message) { QMessageBox::critical(this, title, message); }
+void MainWindow::reportError(const QString& title, const QString& message)
+{
+	QMessageBox::critical(this, title, message);
+}
 
 bool MainWindow::confirmShutdown()
 {
@@ -666,7 +678,10 @@ void MainWindow::requestExit()
 	close();
 }
 
-void Host::InvalidateSaveStateCache() { QMetaObject::invokeMethod(g_main_window, &MainWindow::invalidateSaveStateCache, Qt::QueuedConnection); }
+void Host::InvalidateSaveStateCache()
+{
+	QMetaObject::invokeMethod(g_main_window, &MainWindow::invalidateSaveStateCache, Qt::QueuedConnection);
+}
 
 void MainWindow::onGameListRefreshProgress(const QString& status, int current, int total)
 {
@@ -674,7 +689,10 @@ void MainWindow::onGameListRefreshProgress(const QString& status, int current, i
 	setProgressBar(current, total);
 }
 
-void MainWindow::onGameListRefreshComplete() { clearProgressBar(); }
+void MainWindow::onGameListRefreshComplete()
+{
+	clearProgressBar();
+}
 
 void MainWindow::onGameListSelectionChanged()
 {
@@ -785,14 +803,13 @@ void MainWindow::onStartFileActionTriggered()
 		return;
 
 	std::shared_ptr<VMBootParameters> params = std::make_shared<VMBootParameters>();
-	VMManager::SetBootParametersForPath(filename.toStdString(), params.get());
+	params->filename = filename.toStdString();
 	g_emu_thread->startVM(std::move(params));
 }
 
 void MainWindow::onStartBIOSActionTriggered()
 {
 	std::shared_ptr<VMBootParameters> params = std::make_shared<VMBootParameters>();
-	params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
 	g_emu_thread->startVM(std::move(params));
 }
 
@@ -807,7 +824,10 @@ void MainWindow::onChangeDiscFromFileActionTriggered()
 	g_emu_thread->changeDisc(filename);
 }
 
-void MainWindow::onChangeDiscFromGameListActionTriggered() { switchToGameListView(); }
+void MainWindow::onChangeDiscFromGameListActionTriggered()
+{
+	switchToGameListView();
+}
 
 void MainWindow::onChangeDiscFromDeviceActionTriggered()
 {
@@ -891,11 +911,20 @@ void MainWindow::onViewGamePropertiesActionTriggered()
 		SettingsDialog::openGamePropertiesDialog(nullptr, m_current_game_crc);
 }
 
-void MainWindow::onGitHubRepositoryActionTriggered() { QtUtils::OpenURL(this, AboutDialog::getGitHubRepositoryUrl()); }
+void MainWindow::onGitHubRepositoryActionTriggered()
+{
+	QtUtils::OpenURL(this, AboutDialog::getGitHubRepositoryUrl());
+}
 
-void MainWindow::onSupportForumsActionTriggered() { QtUtils::OpenURL(this, AboutDialog::getSupportForumsUrl()); }
+void MainWindow::onSupportForumsActionTriggered()
+{
+	QtUtils::OpenURL(this, AboutDialog::getSupportForumsUrl());
+}
 
-void MainWindow::onDiscordServerActionTriggered() { QtUtils::OpenURL(this, AboutDialog::getDiscordServerUrl()); }
+void MainWindow::onDiscordServerActionTriggered()
+{
+	QtUtils::OpenURL(this, AboutDialog::getDiscordServerUrl());
+}
 
 void MainWindow::onAboutActionTriggered()
 {
@@ -1197,7 +1226,10 @@ void MainWindow::displayResizeRequested(qint32 width, qint32 height)
 	resize(QSize(std::max<qint32>(width, 1), std::max<qint32>(height + extra_height, 1)));
 }
 
-void MainWindow::destroyDisplay() { destroyDisplayWidget(); }
+void MainWindow::destroyDisplay()
+{
+	destroyDisplayWidget();
+}
 
 void MainWindow::focusDisplayWidget()
 {
@@ -1404,7 +1436,7 @@ void MainWindow::loadSaveStateFile(const QString& filename, const QString& state
 	else
 	{
 		std::shared_ptr<VMBootParameters> params = std::make_shared<VMBootParameters>();
-		VMManager::SetBootParametersForPath(filename.toStdString(), params.get());
+		params->filename = filename.toStdString();
 		params->save_state = state_filename.toStdString();
 		g_emu_thread->startVM(std::move(params));
 	}
diff --git a/pcsx2/Frontend/GameList.cpp b/pcsx2/Frontend/GameList.cpp
index ed2735ea4c..d04fc58123 100644
--- a/pcsx2/Frontend/GameList.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/Frontend/GameList.cpp
@@ -123,19 +123,19 @@ void GameList::FillBootParametersForEntry(VMBootParameters* params, const Entry*
 {
 	if (entry->type == GameList::EntryType::PS1Disc || entry->type == GameList::EntryType::PS2Disc)
 	{
-		params->source = entry->path;
+		params->filename = entry->path;
 		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::Iso;
 		params->elf_override.clear();
 	}
 	else if (entry->type == GameList::EntryType::ELF)
 	{
-		params->source.clear();
+		params->filename.clear();
 		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
 		params->elf_override = entry->path;
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		params->source.clear();
+		params->filename.clear();
 		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
 		params->elf_override.clear();
 	}
diff --git a/pcsx2/VMManager.cpp b/pcsx2/VMManager.cpp
index b81d6787bc..e53a68a399 100644
--- a/pcsx2/VMManager.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/VMManager.cpp
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ namespace VMManager
 	static void CheckForSPU2ConfigChanges(const Pcsx2Config& old_config);
 	static void CheckForDEV9ConfigChanges(const Pcsx2Config& old_config);
 	static void CheckForMemoryCardConfigChanges(const Pcsx2Config& old_config);
+
+	static bool AutoDetectSource(const std::string& filename);
+	static bool ApplyBootParameters(const VMBootParameters& params);
 	static void UpdateRunningGame(bool force);
 
 	static std::string GetCurrentSaveStateFileName(s32 slot);
@@ -519,30 +522,86 @@ static LimiterModeType GetInitialLimiterMode()
 	return EmuConfig.GS.FrameLimitEnable ? LimiterModeType::Nominal : LimiterModeType::Unlimited;
 }
 
-static void ApplyBootParameters(const VMBootParameters& params)
+bool VMManager::AutoDetectSource(const std::string& filename)
+{
+	if (!filename.empty())
+	{
+		if (!FileSystem::FileExists(filename.c_str()))
+		{
+			Host::ReportFormattedErrorAsync("Error", "Requested filename '%s' does not exist.", filename.c_str());
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		const std::string display_name(FileSystem::GetDisplayNameFromPath(filename));
+		if (IsGSDumpFileName(display_name))
+		{
+			CDVDsys_ChangeSource(CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc);
+			return GSDumpReplayer::Initialize(filename.c_str());
+		}
+		else if (IsElfFileName(display_name))
+		{
+			// alternative way of booting an elf, change the elf override, and use no disc.
+			CDVDsys_ChangeSource(CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc);
+			s_elf_override = filename;
+			return true;
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// TODO: Maybe we should check if it's a valid iso here...
+			CDVDsys_SetFile(CDVD_SourceType::Iso, filename);
+			CDVDsys_ChangeSource(CDVD_SourceType::Iso);
+			s_disc_path = filename;
+			return true;
+		}
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		// make sure we're not fast booting when we have no filename
+		CDVDsys_ChangeSource(CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc);
+		EmuConfig.UseBOOT2Injection = false;
+		return true;
+	}
+}
+
+bool VMManager::ApplyBootParameters(const VMBootParameters& params)
 {
 	const bool default_fast_boot = Host::GetBoolSettingValue("EmuCore", "EnableFastBoot", true);
-	EmuConfig.UseBOOT2Injection =
-		(params.source_type != CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc && params.fast_boot.value_or(default_fast_boot));
+	EmuConfig.UseBOOT2Injection = params.fast_boot.value_or(default_fast_boot);
+	s_elf_override = params.elf_override;
+	s_disc_path.clear();
 
-	CDVDsys_SetFile(CDVD_SourceType::Iso, params.source);
-	CDVDsys_ChangeSource(params.source_type);
-
-	if (!params.elf_override.empty())
+	if (params.source_type.has_value())
 	{
-		Hle_SetElfPath(params.elf_override.c_str());
-		s_elf_override = std::move(params.elf_override);
+		if (params.source_type.value() == CDVD_SourceType::Iso && !FileSystem::FileExists(params.filename.c_str()))
+		{
+			Host::ReportFormattedErrorAsync("Error", "Requested filename '%s' does not exist.", params.filename.c_str());
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		// Use specified source type.
+		CDVDsys_SetFile(params.source_type.value(), params.filename);
+		CDVDsys_ChangeSource(params.source_type.value());
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		// Automatic type detection of boot parameter based on filename.
+		if (!AutoDetectSource(params.filename))
+			return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!s_elf_override.empty())
+	{
+		if (!FileSystem::FileExists(s_elf_override.c_str()))
+		{
+			Host::ReportFormattedErrorAsync("Error", "Requested boot ELF '%s' does not exist.", s_elf_override.c_str());
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		Hle_SetElfPath(s_elf_override.c_str());
 		EmuConfig.UseBOOT2Injection = true;
 	}
-	else
-	{
-		std::string().swap(s_elf_override);
-	}
 
-	if (params.source_type == CDVD_SourceType::Iso)
-		s_disc_path = params.source;
-	else
-		s_disc_path.clear();
+	return true;
 }
 
 bool VMManager::Initialize(const VMBootParameters& boot_params)
@@ -559,16 +618,8 @@ bool VMManager::Initialize(const VMBootParameters& boot_params)
 
 	LoadSettings();
 
-	if (IsGSDumpFileName(boot_params.source))
-	{
-		CDVDsys_ChangeSource(CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc);
-		if (!GSDumpReplayer::Initialize(boot_params.source.c_str()))
-			return false;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		ApplyBootParameters(boot_params);
-	}
+	if (!ApplyBootParameters(boot_params))
+		return false;
 
 	EmuConfig.LimiterMode = GetInitialLimiterMode();
 
@@ -949,11 +1000,7 @@ bool VMManager::ChangeDisc(std::string path)
 
 bool VMManager::IsElfFileName(const std::string& path)
 {
-	const std::string::size_type pos = path.rfind('.');
-	if (pos == std::string::npos)
-		return false;
-
-	return (StringUtil::Strcasecmp(&path[pos], ".elf") == 0);
+	return StringUtil::EndsWithNoCase(path, ".elf");
 }
 
 bool VMManager::IsGSDumpFileName(const std::string& path)
@@ -961,29 +1008,6 @@ bool VMManager::IsGSDumpFileName(const std::string& path)
 	return (StringUtil::EndsWithNoCase(path, ".gs") || StringUtil::EndsWithNoCase(path, ".gs.xz"));
 }
 
-void VMManager::SetBootParametersForPath(const std::string& path, VMBootParameters* params)
-{
-	if (IsElfFileName(path))
-	{
-		params->elf_override = path;
-		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
-	}
-	else if (IsGSDumpFileName(path))
-	{
-		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
-		params->source = path;
-	}
-	else if (!path.empty())
-	{
-		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::Iso;
-		params->source = path;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		params->source_type = CDVD_SourceType::NoDisc;
-	}
-}
-
 void VMManager::Execute()
 {
 	Cpu->Execute();
diff --git a/pcsx2/VMManager.h b/pcsx2/VMManager.h
index 6eaa2dad20..fcee0167f9 100644
--- a/pcsx2/VMManager.h
+++ b/pcsx2/VMManager.h
@@ -39,10 +39,11 @@ enum class VMState
 
 struct VMBootParameters
 {
-	std::string source;
-	std::string save_state;
-	CDVD_SourceType source_type;
+	std::string filename;
 	std::string elf_override;
+	std::string save_state;
+	std::optional<CDVD_SourceType> source_type;
+
 	std::optional<bool> fast_boot;
 	std::optional<bool> fullscreen;
 	std::optional<bool> batch_mode;
@@ -138,9 +139,6 @@ namespace VMManager
 	/// Returns true if the specified path is a GS Dump.
 	bool IsGSDumpFileName(const std::string& path);
 
-	/// Updates boot parameters for a given start filename. If it's an elf, it'll set elf_override, otherwise source.
-	void SetBootParametersForPath(const std::string& path, VMBootParameters* params);
-
 	/// Returns the path for the game settings ini file for the specified CRC.
 	std::string GetGameSettingsPath(u32 game_crc);