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Debian and its derivative OSes continue to evolve with time. However, what doesn’t go out of style is the list of things you should do after installing any Debian-based distro on your computer.

Yes, that’s right; there are several best practices to follow right after installing Debian. These will help you drive efficiency and get the most out of your Debian installation.

Let’s explore the list of things to do after installing Debian on your PC.

1. Award Superuser Rights to Main User(s)

You have likely set up multiple users on your Linux system; however, it's essential to award one or more users sudo (admin) rights. You can add a local user to the sudo group with the following commands:

su - root 

Add the local user as a sudo user by running:

usermod -aG sudo <username> 

Replace username in the above command with the name of the local user. Reboot your machine once you've executed the above commands.

2. Install Available Updates for Best Results

With admin access, you can safely run any available package updates and upgrades so that your Debian machine runs smoothly. This step is necessary to install all the latest applications and implement bug fixes on your system.

You can use the below command to update and upgrade your packages in one go:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y 

Remember, the apt update and apt upgrade commands are different, so it's important to run both to enable Debian's full functionality.

3. Disable DVD/ISO CD-ROM Package Repository

When you install Debian from a DVD/ISO on your machine, the installer configures the cdrom package repository. This repository doesn't update and throws an error during the update process, as the repo does not have a release file to update from.

To ensure you can install regular updates, turn off this repository by accessing the /etc/apt/sources.list file with the root command and commenting out the line(s) starting with deb cdrom.

Using your favorite Linux text editor like Vim, vi, or nano, run the following command:

nano /etc/apt/sources.list 

Follow the on-screen prompts, save the file changes, and exit the editor. Run the update command once done.

4. Install the build-essential Package

build-essential is a meta package readily available on Linux distributions on Debian and Ubuntu. The package includes all the relevant tools and necessary packages to enable developers to build and compile software from the source.

As a developer, if you intend to use the distro to perform advanced compilation activities, it's always advisable to install the build-essential package with the following command:

sudo apt install build-essential -y 

5. Add Contrib and Non-Free Repos

The contrib and non-free repositories are vital on Debian since they contain many essential packages that are otherwise unavailable. Some standard packages include:

This list isn't exhaustive; there are plenty more where these came from.

To add these, open Software & Updates. Next, go to the Debian Software tab.

Finally, enable DFSG and non-DFSG-compatible software option. The system might prompt you for your password before it allows you to enable this option.

Close the window and reboot your system. You are all set!

6. Install System Back-Up Programs

In a world of instability, having a backup application (or two) has become necessary. Taking adequate backups of your data can help you:

Whatever the reason, the idea is to have a full-fledged backup application available to avoid unforeseen mishaps.

You can use Timeshift for your backup requirements, as it's easy to install, and you can use it to take regular backups of your data and applications. You can install Timeshift on Debian with a basic apt install command as follows:

sudo apt install timeshift -y 

There are plenty of other backup applications for Linux which work seamlessly on Debian, so you can pick and choose an option that works best for you.

7. Enable GNOME Extensions

If you are already a Debian user, you might be familiar with GNOME. To take GNOME's capabilities up a notch, you should install the Extensions Manager tool, a nifty way to install a few much-needed extensions on your desktop.

To install GNOME Extensions on Debian, run this command:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager -y 

After installation, fire up Extensions Manager from the menu and install some fancy GNOME extensions to spruce up your desktop.

8. Install and Enable a Firewall

Now that the basics are out of the way, it's time to install practical applications that make Debian safe and secure. You should install a firewall application that keeps the hackers at bay and provides round-the-clock protection to you from unprecedented hacks.

While Linux is a secure operating system, it's best to go ahead and look up some suitable applications to do your bidding. You can look at a few notable free Linux firewall tools before installation.

9. Enable Snap and Flatpak for Software Downloads

Applications are required to complete any operating system. To install software and applications, you can use the Snap Store and Flatpak on Debian to install applications.

To install Snap Store:

sudo apt install snapd -y 

To install Flatpak:

sudo apt install flatpak 

Finally, add the Flathub repository with:

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

That's it; you can use these two software centers on Debian now.

10. Install Your Favorite Linux Apps

Why not add your favorite applications to your Debian installation to make it look more personalized and relatable? Now that Snap and Flatpak are readily available, you can download regularly used applications and enjoy the many comforts of using Debian.

Upgrade Your Existing Debian Installation to the Latest Version

Since Debian developers release new, enhanced versions of the distro occasionally, it's always best to upgrade to the most recent version since you get access to many different features, enhancements, and improved applications, and there is always an option to work with.

If you use Debian 11 and want to upgrade to Debian 12, you can upgrade directly from your command line. After the upgrade, remember to try out the aforementioned list on your new OS.

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