Debian 13

Posted on Mar 5, 2025

This note documents replacing Windows with Debian 13 (Trixie) on an HP laptop, including BIOS setup, offline install, and post-install configuration.

1. Booting Debian

Create bootable USB

Download the firmware-included ISO from:
https://www.debian.org/distrib/
Example: debian-13.1.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso

Create USB using Rufus (https://rufus.ie):

  • Partition scheme: GPT
  • Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)

BIOS / UEFI (HP)

  • Reboot → press F10 → BIOS
  • Security → Secure Boot Configuration → Disable Secure Boot
  • Reboot → press F9
  • Select UEFI: <USB device>

Install Debian

  • Choose Graphical Install
  • Skip network drivers if not detected
  • Use Guided partitioning
  • Set root password
  • Create normal user

Display manager

If multiple desktops are installed:

  • gdm3 → GNOME
  • sddm → KDE Plasma

Post-install basics

Switch to root:

su -

Update system:

apt update
apt upgrade

Add user to sudo:

usermod -aG sudo <username>

Verify:

groups <username>

2. Debian package sources

Edit sources list:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Add:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security trixie-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie-backports main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Update:

sudo apt update
apt list --upgradable
sudo apt upgrade

3. Package management

Aptitude

Preferred package manager:

sudo apt install aptitude

Usage:

  • / search
  • + select
  • g install

Curl

sudo aptitude install curl

Flatpak

sudo apt install flatpak

Add Flathub:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Reboot after setup.