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.
Before starting the installation process, ensure your computer meets the necessary requirements: a Pentium 4 1GHz processor or better, 512 MB RAM (without a GUI desktop) or 2 GB (with GUI), and 2 GB hard drive space (without GUI) or 10 GB (with GUI). You will also need a bootable USB/CD/DVD drive, a USB drive with at least 2 GB of space (if using USB), a backup of any important files on your computer, and a backup of the contents of your USB flash drive, as it will be formatted.
To install Debian Linux, follow these detailed steps. First, download a Debian image from debian.org, selecting 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). Then, 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 you’re using 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 it and reboot 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. Then, 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, or ” other partitions ( 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. If you are dual-booting with Windows, the GRUB bootloader will give you the option to boot into “Windows Boot Manager” if you wish to access your Windows installation instead of Debian.
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!
