Install Debian - a guide
The popular Linux distribution Debian is a bit more difficult to install than its relatives Ubuntu and Linux Mint. We'll show you how it's done.
1. First create a backup, then install Debian
If you still have important data on the computer on which you want to install Debian, you should make a backup.
- All data on the computer will be deleted during the installation process.
- Use a backup tool from our download area. Then you can start with the installation.
2. Prepare the USB stick to install Debian
- Download the Linux Live USB Creator. It helps you to create a live medium with which you can install Debian on your computer. We explain how to create live media on our download page.
- Choose Debian with the desired graphical interface. "Standard" means that no graphical user interface is installed. This is not recommended for a start. Our instructions refer to the Gnome version.
- Make sure that you choose the right processor architecture (32 / 64Bit).
3. Boot from the USB stick to install Debian
After you have created your backups on external storage and the live medium is finished, leave the USB stick plugged in and restart your computer. If the stick does not start, you may have to change the boot order in the BIOS.
4. Start installation of Debian: Language and user settings
Once you've made it this far, you can start installing Debian. The installation program will help you with this. We have summarized the most important steps for you again:
- First of all, the installer asks you some information about the desired language settings. As a rule, the correct setting is always German or Germany.
- Next are the network settings. The easiest way to do this is to use a network cable that is connected to the router.
- When the network connection is set up, the installer asks you for the computer name. You can enter what you want here. The computer will appear in the network with this name. It is best to restrict yourself to lower case and avoid special characters such as umlauts or spaces. You can leave the "Domain name" field in the next step blank.
- Now you are asked to enter a root password. It's best to leave the field blank. So it is not possible to log in as root. The root user is the system administrator and should not be used if possible. For system administration, there is the "sudo" command on Debian. That explains the dialogue.
- The next step is to set up the normal user. First enter the full name that will be shown to you later. Then the system-internal user name follows. Choose a username that you like. However, follow the restrictions as for the computer name.
- Now the password should be asked. Choose a secure password for your user account.
5. The last step for installing Debian: prepare and install the hard disk
After the language and user settings have been made, all you have to do is prepare the hard drive and the installation can begin:
- The next step is to format the hard drive. Select the standard setting "Guided - use full hard disk" here. This is followed by the selection of the hard disk on which Debian is to be installed. If you have multiple drives, be sure to choose the right one. You can recognize this by the size, for example. The selected drive is completely deleted before installation.
- Click until you get to the overview. There "End partitioning and apply changes" is selected. Click on "Next" and confirm in the next dialog with "Yes". Then the automatic installation begins.
- Now there are two short prompts: You will be asked if you want to use a network mirror. If you click "Yes" here, you still have to select the desired server in your area. You must also install the GRUB boot loader so that the system can start. Select the installation hard disk again as the drive.
- At the end of the installation you will be asked to remove the USB stick. After you have done this, you can restart the computer with "Next" and log in with your user name after the boot process.
In the next article we will show you how to keep your Debian system up to date with updates.