Debian

Profile updated on 10 October 2026. Official sources checked on that date.

Debian: choosing a branch, desktop and applications

Debian GNU/Linux is developed by an international community. Its stable branch is a starting point for desktops or servers when you want a maintained software base while continuing to apply updates. Your applications, hardware and time for system maintenance also matter.

Founded by Ian Murdock in 1993, the project brings together contributors worldwide rather than belonging to one country or company. Its official introduction explains this organisation. Debian-based distributions, including Ubuntu and its derivatives, make their own choices and follow their own schedules.

Stable, testing and unstable: choose your pace of change

As of 10 October 2026, Debian 13 “trixie” is the stable release. The official releases page gives the current point release and support dates. Check it when downloading instead of relying on the number on an old image.

• Stable: Debian’s published release and its first recommendation. It receives updates but does not continually adopt the newest version of every application.
• Testing: the branch preparing the next stable release, usually with newer software and transitions that need attention.
• Unstable, or Sid: the active development branch, mainly for developers and people prepared to resolve problems.

An older version number does not prove that a security fix is missing: Debian often backports fixes to the version supplied with stable. Its security FAQ also explains that testing and unstable do not follow the same security process as stable; fixes can reach testing later.

For a first installation, start with stable unless you have a specific, documented reason. Compare essential application versions before changing branch. If one application drives the decision, first examine the options offered by its publisher.

Desktop and hardware matter as much as the distribution

Debian does not impose one interface. Official live images offer desktops including GNOME, KDE and Xfce. Menus, settings and window organisation differ; try a desktop suited to your habits without inferring its performance from the Debian name alone.

At the date of this profile, those live images target amd64 64-bit PCs. Other architectures require suitable media and documentation. For old 32-bit-only computers, note that Debian 13 no longer provides an official i386 installer or kernel, as explained in its release notes. Some i386 packages for use on amd64 do not imply support for a new 32-bit installation.

Understand APT before adding software

APT manages packages from the system’s configured sources. Two often-confused operations serve different purposes, as described in the official apt manual:

• apt update refreshes information about available packages; it does not itself install their updates.
• apt upgrade installs possible updates without removing already installed packages. Other operations may be needed in some situations; read the proposed changes before confirming.

These points do not replace the procedure for upgrading between Debian releases. Check software origin and compatibility with your version too. For work files, games and business applications, use our software checklist before moving to Linux.

Free software, contrib and firmware: understand the distinctions

The Debian Social Contract commits the project to free software. Here “free” concerns users’ rights, not merely price. Official media may also include non-free firmware needed by hardware.

The Debian archive policy distinguishes four areas:

• main: packages that meet the Debian Free Software Guidelines and constitute the Debian distribution.
• contrib: free packages requiring software outside main to build or run.
• non-free: software that does not meet main’s criteria, including licensing restrictions.
• non-free-firmware: firmware needed by some hardware, potentially with restrictions on source availability or modification.

Since Debian 12, official installation images can provide non-free firmware. This does not guarantee every peripheral will work: the installer guide describes cases where firmware is still missing. Check networking and peripherals before installation.

Prepare a trial, then decide whether to install

1. Choose an appropriate image: our Debian download guide distinguishes netinst, live and other media, with official links and verification steps.
2. Try your tasks: boot a compatible live image to explore the desktop and check Wi-Fi, sound, suspend and peripherals. Our pre-installation checklist helps organise the checks.
3. Prepare a backup: keep an independent copy of your documents and anything stored on the USB drive. Booting a live system and installing onto a disk are separate steps.

If the system meets your needs, follow the installation instructions for your hardware. A USB trial can reveal incompatibilities, but is not a benchmark of the installed system or a guarantee that every application will work.