Getting Debian

Debian GNU/Linux is distributed freely over the Internet. You can download all of it from any of our mirrors.

If you simply want to install Debian, these are your options:

Download a bootable image.
Several different types of images, including CDs and DVDs, are available for download, including small netinst CDs that can quickly be downloaded.
Buy a set of CDs or DVDs from one of the vendors selling Debian CDs and install from it.
Many of the vendors sell the distribution for less than US$5 plus shipping (check their web page to see if they ship internationally).
Some of the books about Debian come with CDs, too.

Here are the basic advantages of CDs prepared by someone else:
- Installation from a CD set is more straightforward.
- You can install on machines without an Internet connection.
- You can install Debian (on as many machines as you like) without downloading all packages yourself.
- The CD can be used to more easily rescue a damaged Debian system.
Buy a computer with Debian pre-installed.
There are a number of advantages to this:
- You don't have to install Debian.
- The installation is pre-configured to match the hardware.
- The vendor may provide technical support.

The Installation Manual contains detailed installation instructions.