[SOLVED] Debian 10. Can I actually upgrade to Debian 11 without new install?

larstrier · 10-25-2021, 09:48 PM

Can I successfully transition from Debian 10 to Debian 11 with a dist-upgrade?
Without having a new install?

For example, people can go from M$ Windows 10 to Windows 11 simply via upgrade.

mrmazda · 10-25-2021, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larstrier

Can I successfully transition from Debian 10 to Debian 11 with a dist-upgrade?

It's routine here. I have one in process right now on an old Core2Duo. I mostly only do fresh installations on new HDDs/SSDs.

GentleThotSeaMonkey · 10-25-2021, 10:52 PM

https://google.com/search?q=upgrade+...0+to+11+-arm64 finds a LOT.
(UNfortunately not for my MX

)

Pentium4User · 10-25-2021, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larstrier

Can I successfully transition from Debian 10 to Debian 11 with a dist-upgrade?
Without having a new install?

For example, people can go from M$ Windows 10 to Windows 11 simply via upgrade.

Just replace all buster with bullseye in your sources.list (also check your other repositories in sources.list.d).

ondoho · 10-25-2021, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larstrier

Can I successfully transition from Debian 10 to Debian 11 with a dist-upgrade?
Without having a new install?

Yes, you can.
But you should follow Debian's instructions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by larstrier

For example, people can go from M$ Windows 10 to Windows 11 simply via upgrade.

Windows 10 is not the same as Debian 10.
Windows 11 is not the same as Debian 11.

mrmazda · 10-26-2021, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pentium4User

Just replace all buster with bullseye in your sources.list (also check your other repositories in sources.list.d).

Do only that and you'll miss all security upgrades. You must follow Debian's instructions.

boughtonp · 10-26-2021, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larstrier

Can I successfully transition from Debian 10 to Debian 11 with a dist-upgrade?
Without having a new install?

The correct process - and potential pitfalls to be aware of - is described in the Release Notes: https://www.debian.org/releases/bullseye/amd64/release-notes

The "Upgrades from Debian 10 (buster)" section is obviously most important, but it is not the only part you should look at.

If you want a downloadable PDF, or you are using an ARM or 32-bit processor, or are not a native English speaker, see https://www.debian.org/releases/bullseye/releasenotes for other editions of the release notes.

larstrier · 10-27-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

Yes, you can.
But you should follow Debian's instructions.

Ah yes, the Debian official instruction manual. And how to do it properly.
As usual Debian's literature is thorough, exhaustive, life-sapping and labyrinthine.
Brain became numb, forgot what I was doing.

There's a particularly nice bit where it cautiously recommends to start upgrade from a 'pure' Debian state.
Essentially this means removing third-party apps such as vpn and browser etc.

Thankfully there were other links on the net which condensed the task to a much simpler and quicker operation.

larstrier · 10-27-2021, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentleThotSeaMonkey

https://google.com/search?q=upgrade+...0+to+11+-arm64 finds a LOT.
(UNfortunately not for my MX

)

Thank you, this link https://ostechnix.com/upgrade-to-deb...ian-10-buster/ did the trick.

The upgrade took a long time though - almost as long as a fresh install!
Unlike the tutorial I wasn't asked where to store GRUB - which can be a nightmare as I've often stored it in the wrong place with new installs.

Happily I now have the new Debian 11 via upgrade!
Thank you everyone.

Code:

$ cat /etc/debian_version 
11.1