Debian, a free and open-source operating system, offers a robust platform for both desktop and server environments, serving as the foundation for many other Linux distributions like Ubuntu. This guide will walk you through the process to install the latest version of Debian Linux on your PC.
Before you start:
- A Pentium 4 1GHz processor or better
- 512 MB RAM (without a GUI desktop) or 2 GB (with GUI)
- 2 GB hard drive space (without GUI) or 10 GB (with GUI)
- A bootable USB/CD/DVD drive
- A USB drive with at least 2 GB of space (if using USB)
- Backup of any important files on your computer
- Backup of the contents of your USB flash drive, as it will be formatted
How to install Debian Linux
Follow these detailed steps to successfully install Debian Linux on your computer.
- Download a Debian image from debian.org. Select the image appropriate for your computer’s architecture (e.g., amd64 for 64-bit Intel/AMD, arm64 for 64-bit ARM, or i386 for 32-bit systems).
- Download Balena Etcher to create a bootable USB drive. Alternatively, you can use Rufus on Windows.
- Insert your USB drive into a free USB port. If using a CD/DVD, insert a blank CD-R or DVD-R into your optical drive.
- Open Etcher. Drag and drop the Debian ISO file into the Etcher window, or click Flash from File and select the ISO. Etcher should automatically detect your USB drive. If not, click Change and select your USB drive.
- Click Flash to start writing the ISO file to your USB drive, making it bootable.
- Reboot your computer and press the hotkey to enter the BIOS (common keys include F2, F1, F10, or Del).
- If Windows: Click the Windows menu, select Settings, then Update & Security (Windows 10) or System (Windows 11). Click Recovery, then Restart now under “Advanced startup.” Click Troubleshoot, Advanced options, UEFI Firmware Settings, and finally Restart.
- Navigate to the “Boot order” menu in your BIOS. Use the arrow keys and press Enter to make selections.
- Set your USB drive or removable media as the first boot device.
- Save changes and exit the BIOS. Your PC will restart and boot from the Debian installation media.
- Boot from your installation media. If not inserted, insert it and reboot your PC.
- Select Graphical Install (or regular Install) using the arrow keys and press Enter.
- Select your language, location, and keyboard region.
- Select your network interface (wired or wireless). If installing over the internet, follow the prompts to connect. If you encounter a Wi-Fi error, use an ethernet cable.
- Enter a hostname and optionally a domain name.
- Create or skip a root password. Skipping will set up sudo for your user account.
- Create a user account by entering your full name, username, and a secure password.
- Select your time zone.
- Select a partition option:
- Guided – use the largest continuous free space: For installing Debian on unused space.
- Guided – use entire disk: For using Debian exclusively on the drive.
- Manual: For retaining other partitions (e.g., Windows).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to partition your drive(s). Select Ext4 journaling file system when prompted. Choose a partition scheme (e.g., all files on one partition). Review changes, click Finish partitioning and write changes to disk, and select Yes to confirm.
- Choose a network mirror. Select the country closest to you and the recommended Debian mirror archive.
- Select software to install, including at least one desktop environment (e.g., GNOME or KDE) and standard system utilities. If desired, also select SSH server.
- Click Continue when the installation is complete. This will reboot your computer into the GRUB bootloader.
- Select Debian GNU/Linux from the GRUB bootloader to boot into Debian.
What to do next?
Now that Debian is successfully installed, you can begin exploring its robust features and customizing your new operating system. Dive into the various desktop environments you chose during installation, such as GNOME or KDE, and personalize them to your liking. Familiarize yourself with the package manager (APT) for installing new software and keeping your system updated.
Consider installing additional applications that suit your workflow, such as web browsers, office suites, and development tools. If you skipped creating a root password, remember that your user account has sudo privileges, allowing you to perform administrative tasks securely. Enjoy your journey with Debian Linux!
