Table of Contents
Installation preparation
Backup
In this blog guide, we’ll perform a Debian 12.4 installation. Please be aware that this installation process erases all existing operating systems and their data from the disk. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding, in case you need it later.
Machine Requirements
- 1 GHz dual-core processor or better
- 1 GB system memory
- 10 GB of free hard drive space
- A network or internet connection for installation and updates.
- USB port for the installer media
- USB drive (1GB as a minimum, 2GB or above recommended).
Download image
An ISO file of the Debain 12 operating system is available. Debian 12.4 is 678 MB in size. Go to Download link for Debian 12.4 to get the iso image. We’re utilizing a desktop image here, but you can use any other image that you need.
Create an Installer media
An ISO file functions as a disk image that needs to be extracted onto a USB drive or DVD. For the installation media, we’ll utilize a USB drive. You can use the following article for how to make a USB drive bootable to use the USB drive as an installer.
Change booting priority
- Let’s initiate the installation process. Connect the USB drive with the bootable system to the USB port.”
- To boot from the USB disk during the startup process, we need to modify the BIOS settings. When the system manufacturer’s logo (Dell, Acer, Lenovo, etc.) appears on the screen after powering on or restarting, pressing a key such as Esc, F2, F9, F12, etc., will likely take you to the BIOS settings. From the boot menu in the BIOS settings, you can select the USB drive as the primary boot option.
Installation Steps
In this article for reference we have used Debian installation manual
Step 1: . You have multiple choices here. For the sake of simplicity we are installing it graphically so we will chose the first Graphical install option.
Step 2: . After choosing Graphical install, in the next window we have to choose the language here we are choosing the English language and then clicking on the continue and later selecting our location (United State)
Step 3: Select your keyboard layout. After choosing your selection, click Continue.
Step 4: Configure the network in the following window we setup our hostname, click Continue, and the next window we can also setup the domain name/FQDN for this machine, click Continue.
Step 5: Setup the root user password and see the screenshot for the instruction while setting up the root password and then, click Continue.
Step 6: Create Your user and then the password, click continue
Step 7: Choose your time zone by entering your geographic location and then click Continue.
Step 8: At this stage, we are presented with options for the type of installation. This step is critical, as it has the potential to erase your entire disk. We have opted to delete the entire disk, selecting the first choice for simplicity. Alternatively, you can manually configure your partitions.
If you want to encrypt your device, use the Guided- use entire disk and set up encrypted LVM. or want to do partition according to your need use the manual partitioning method. For the sake of simplicity we will move forward with Guided -use entire disk
In our case, we choose to Erase the disk and install Debian. After clicking the Install Now button. A new window will appear, asking for confirmation. Continue if you are satisfied.
Step 9: For Configuring the package manager, you can scan extra installation media, archive country, archive mirror, and proxy. In our case we have chosen the highlighted options.
Step 10: Chose the software you wanted to install, click Continue
Step 11: Install the GRUB boot loader, which is primarily utilized to present a menu for loading multiple operating systems. This menu allows you to select the desired OS and load its kernel into memory. Click Continue.
Complete the installation
Step 12: a prompt will appear instructing you to remove your USB flash drive. Once done, press Continue. Which will restart the system.
Enjoy your Debian 12.4
What after installation!!
After installing Debian 12, the initial step is to update it using the terminal. Go to activities and in search bar enter terminal you will get the terminal icon and execute the provided command.”
sudo apt update
This command checks for updates and informs you of any that require application. To apply these updates, use the following command:
sudo apt upgrade
Type Y, then press ENTER to confirm to finish the update process.
Summary
Debian 12 comes with an array of enhanced features, increased customization options, improved performance, and better integration capabilities with your current systems. This guide demonstrated the installation of Debian 12 on bare metal, such as your laptop, using a bootable USB stick. The same procedure can be applied to install other Debian releases—simply create a bootable USB device with the desired release and follow the outlined steps.
