In this guide, we are going to explore installing Debian 11 ““bullseye” Gnome. Debian 11 is the latest release from the Debian team. It will be supported for the next 5 years.

Debian is a free operating system, developed by thousands of volunteers from all over the world who collaborate via the Internet. It is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, developed by the community-supported Debian Project, which was established by Ian Murdock on August 16, 1993. Debian is one of the oldest operating systems based on the Linux kernel.

Debian 11 bullseye ships with several desktop applications and environments. Amongst others it now includes the desktop environments:

• Gnome 3.38,
• KDE Plasma 5.20,
• LXDE 11,
• LXQt 0.16,
• MATE 1.24,
• Xfce 4.16.

Get live images here https://www.debian.org/CD/live/

If you prefer to download using torrents, you can get the downloads here.

System Requirements

• 2GB RAM
• 20 GB of Hard disk space
• Minimum of 2 GHz processor
• Internet connection
• If you are trying the software, you need a Virtualization software, such as VirtualBox, Shells, or VMware
• A bootable USB stick of Debian

Plug in the USB in your system, change BIOS settings to boot from it.

Steps to install Debian 11

1. Boot into the installation medium by tweaking the boot priority in the bios setting to start with it. Upon booting, you will get this screen asking you to choose your option. We will go with graphical install.

2. On the next screen, you will be asked to select a language. Pick your language and click continue.

3. On the next screen select your location. Pick your country then click Continue

4. On the next screen, choose your keyboard layout then click continue

5. In the next screen, you configure network. Choose a hostname for your machine and a domain then click continue.

6. In the next step, you will be required to set a root password. Ensure you have a strong root password.

7. In the next step, set up a user. Enter the user name, the username for that user and set up a strong password for that user.

8. In the next stage, set up the disk for Debian 11 install. You have an option of using the entire disk, or using the entire disk and setting up LVM. I opt to use the entire disk. Also choose whether you want to have all files in one partition or separate partitions. I opt for the all files in one partition. When all is configured, Finish partitioning and write changes to disk then click continue.

9. Once that is done, Debian 11 will install the base system.

10. Next, configure the package manager. You can add additional media with packages if you have but if no click continue. A network mirror can be used. If you choose network mirror, Debian will scan the web for packages.

11. Choose whether you want to participate in the package usage survey.

12. Next, choose the software you want installed. In my case, I choose the Debian Desktop environment, GNOME, SSH Server and standard system utilities.

13. Next you are given an option to install GRUB bootloader. I choose to install in the primary device.

14. Once that is done, Installation will be done. You should see this screen. Click continue to restart your device.

15. If all is well, Debian 11 should boot to the login screen with the user you created. Up to this point you managed to install debian 11 in your system.