The Debian Project is an association of individuals, sharing a common goal: We want to create a free operating system, freely available for everyone. Now, when we use the word "free", we're not talking about money, instead, we are referring to software freedom.
Debian for Users
Debian is Free Software.
Debian is made of free and open source software and will always be 100% free. Free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This is our main promise to our users. It's also free of cost.
Debian is stable and secure.
Debian is a Linux-based operating system for a wide range of devices including laptops, desktops and servers. We provide a reasonable default configuration for every package as well as regular security updates during the packages' lifetimes.
Debian has extensive Hardware Support.
Most hardware is supported by the Linux kernel which means that Debian will support it as well. Proprietary drivers for hardware are available if necessary.
Debian is the Base for many other Distributions.
Many popular Linux distributions, like Ubuntu, Knoppix, PureOS or Tails, are based on Debian. We provide all the tools so that everyone can extend the software packages from the Debian archive with their own packages if needed.
Debian for Developers
Multiple Hardware Architectures
Debian supports a long list of CPU architectures, including amd64, i386, multiple versions of ARM and MIPS, POWER7, POWER8, IBM System z and RISC-V. Debian is also available for niche architectures.
IoT and Embedded Devices
Debian runs on a wide range of devices, like the Raspberry Pi, variants of QNAP, mobile devices, home routers and a lot of Single Board Computers (SBC).
Huge Number of Software Packages
Debian has a large number of packages (currently in stable: 59000 packages) which use the deb format.
Debian for Enterprise Environments
Debian is reliable.
Debian proves its reliability every day in thousands of real world scenarios, ranging from single user laptops to super-colliders, stock exchanges and the automotive industry. It's also popular in the academic world, in science and in the public sector.
Debian is secure.
Debian offers security support for its stable releases. Many other distributions and security researchers rely on Debian's security tracker.
Long Term Support
Debian's free of charge Long Term Support (LTS) version extends the lifetime of all Debian stable releases to at least 5 years. Additionally, the commercial Extended LTS initiative supports a limited set of packages for more than 5 years.
The Debian project is pleased to announce the eleventh update of its stable distribution Debian 12 (codename bookworm). This point release mainly adds corrections for security issues, along with a few adjustments for serious problems. Security advisories have already been published separately and are referenced where available.
Please note that the point release does not constitute a new version of Debian 12 but only updates some of the packages included. There is no need to throw away old bookworm media. After installation, packages can be upgraded to the current versions using an up-to-date Debian mirror.
Those who frequently install updates from http://security.debian.org won't have to update many packages, and most such updates are included in the point release.
Known issues
Linux 6.1.137-1, included with Debian 12.11 is unable to load the watchdog and w83977f_wdt modules on the amd64 architecture. This is a regression.
List of Bug Fixes, Package updates and Packages removed here:
https://www.debian.org/News/2025/20250517
Visit the Debian website here:
https://www.debian.org/
Help support Debian here:
https://www.debian.org/donations