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This guide covers Debian 12 (Bookworm) on a 64-bit PC, including a Windows dual-boot setup. Debian’s official Bookworm installation page currently identifies Debian 12.15 and says Debian 12 has been superseded by Debian 13 (Trixie), which it recommends for new installations. Continue with Bookworm if you need that release for a course, compatibility requirement, or existing environment; otherwise, follow Debian’s current instructions for Debian 13. Release images can change, so confirm your choice on the official Debian Bookworm installation page before downloading.
Before you begin: confirm Debian 12 is the release you need
Debian 12 is codenamed Bookworm. Debian’s Bookworm installation page, accessed October 8, 2026, lists point release 12.15 and states: “Debian 12 has been superseded by Debian 13 ("trixie").” Debian recommends Debian 13 for new installations. Choose Bookworm when a particular course, application environment, or existing setup requires Debian 12; if no such requirement applies, check Debian’s current Debian 13 installation instructions instead.
The steps below target the amd64 installer for a 64-bit PC. The available images and the exact installer screens may change; use the live Bookworm installation information page as the source for the current Debian 12 image options and instructions.
What to check and back up before installing
Back up important files before changing partitions or installing another operating system, and make sure you know how to restore them. Debian’s installation guide includes backing up existing data among its preparation steps. A separate backup destination, such as an external drive, is one option; it is not a Debian requirement.
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Before you make a bootable USB or open the installer, write down what you know about the computer:
- Whether its installed operating system starts in UEFI or legacy BIOS mode.
- Which disk contains Windows or another existing operating system, and how much space is available.
- Relevant hardware details, especially network or wireless hardware that may affect setup.
- How to open the computer’s firmware settings or one-time boot menu. The key and menu labels vary by manufacturer and model.
If you cannot tell which disk or partitions belong to the existing system, do not guess during installation. Get help specific to the computer before applying partition changes.
How do I make a Debian bootable USB?
Open the official Bookworm installation page and select an amd64 installer image. The page currently lists Debian 12.15 netinst and other image choices. Debian says amd64 CD/DVD images can be used on USB sticks; image verification files, including SHA256SUMS and SHA512SUMS, are listed alongside downloads.
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- Download the chosen image and its verification file from the official Debian page.
- Follow Debian’s current instructions to check the image and write it to a USB stick using a method appropriate for your operating system. Writing an image erases the USB stick’s existing contents, so copy off any files you need first.
- Safely eject the USB stick, then use the computer’s one-time boot menu to start from it. The exact menu name and firmware key depend on the computer.
Debian’s page links to the current image and verification instructions. This guide does not assume a particular USB-writing application or operating system.
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Can I dual boot Debian 12 and Windows 11?
Yes, a PC can run Debian alongside Windows 11, but the safe procedure depends on the machine’s disk layout and firmware. The same general cautions apply to other Windows versions; exact Windows settings labels vary by release.
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Debian warns that Windows fast startup may perform something like a partial suspend-to-disk rather than a full shutdown. If another operating system then accesses shared filesystems, this can cause problems or data loss. Debian’s guide states: “Therefore in a dual boot setup, to avoid filesystem corruption the “fast boot”/“fast startup” feature has to be disabled within Windows.” Check Windows Settings or Control Panel instructions for your installed Windows release to locate and disable the feature where available, then fully shut down Windows before proceeding.
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Boot the installer in the same firmware mode
In a multiboot setup, the installer should start in the same firmware mode—UEFI or legacy BIOS—as the existing operating system. Debian notes that some UEFI systems with Compatibility Support Module (CSM) behavior can start removable media in a different mode. In the boot menu, choose the USB entry that matches the mode Windows currently uses. A mismatch can lead to an unsuitable bootloader setup on some systems.
Leave Secure Boot enabled unless you have a specific reason to change it
Disabling Secure Boot is not a universal Debian installation requirement. Debian’s guide says its Microsoft-signed shim should work with Secure Boot enabled. Results can still depend on the computer’s firmware configuration and hardware, so consult the firmware or device documentation if the installer will not start.
How much space should I make for Debian?
There is no single partition size or layout that fits every computer. Space needs depend on disk capacity, how you plan to use Debian, encryption, and whether you want a separate home partition. The official installation guide describes multiboot preparation and partitioning, but does not establish a universal size recommendation.
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For a Windows dual boot, first make space available using a method appropriate to your Windows installation, then confirm the result is unallocated space—not merely a Windows partition that looks large or has files you do not recognize. In Debian’s installer, identify the correct disk and review the proposed changes carefully. Do not format or delete Windows partitions, or any partition whose purpose you cannot identify. If you are uncertain what the installer will change, stop before writing the changes and seek machine-specific help.
Guided or manual partitioning?
Guided partitioning can reduce the number of choices, while manual partitioning offers more control over where and how Debian is installed. Neither removes the need to verify the target disk and the effect on existing partitions. Continue only when the proposed layout clearly uses the space you intend for Debian and preserves the existing operating system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do I install Debian 12 alongside Windows?
After preparing the computer and booting the USB in the correct firmware mode, follow the installer’s on-screen choices. The exact sequence can branch depending on hardware and selected options; Debian’s guide documents these main stages:
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- Choose the installer language, location, and keyboard layout.
- Configure networking when prompted. Available choices depend on the computer’s hardware and network connection.
- Create the required user accounts and configure the system clock.
- Partition the disk, selecting the intended unallocated space or a carefully reviewed manual layout. Check the summary before confirming any changes.
- Install the base system, then choose the software set offered by the installer.
- Install and configure the bootloader when prompted. Read the target-disk details and do not assume every machine presents the same choices.
- Finish the installation, remove the USB when prompted, and reboot.
Debian’s Bookworm amd64 installation guide provides the full, current context for installer stages and options. If a screen’s proposed disk changes do not match what you intended, do not confirm them.
How do I choose between Windows and Debian at startup?
After installation, test Debian first. Then restart and check that Windows is still available, either from the installed boot menu or the computer’s firmware boot menu. The menu’s appearance and which system it opens by default vary by firmware and bootloader configuration; do not assume every computer displays the same chooser automatically.
If one system does not appear in the installed boot menu, use the firmware’s one-time boot menu to check whether its boot entry is available. Avoid changing disk partitions to troubleshoot a missing menu entry. Consult the Debian installation guide and the computer manufacturer’s firmware documentation for the applicable setup.
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