1. Enable contrib and non-free sources

    Using the terminal, edit the following file, add the “contrib” and “non-free” sources, or replace with these lines:

    sudo vim /etc/apt/sources.list
    
    deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    
    deb http://deb.debian.org/debian-security/ bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian-security/ bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    
    deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    
  2. Enable bookworm backports (it works for Trixie as well)

    Again, using the terminal, edit the file /etc/apt/sources.list and add the following lines:

    # bookworm-backports
    deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-backports main contrib non-free
    deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-backports main contrib non-free
    
  3. Update the package manager

    sudo apt update
    
  4. Enable 32bit packages

    sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 && sudo apt update
    
  5. Enable Flatpak support

    sudo apt install flatpak
    
    sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
    
    sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
    
  6. Install and configure Virtual Manager

    sudo apt install qemu-system libvirt-daemon-system virt-manager
    

    Using vim (or any other text editor), open libvirtd.conf and enable these two lines:

    sudo vim /etc/libvirt/libvirtd.conf
    
    unix_sock_group = "libvirt"
    unix_sock_rw_perms = "0770"
    

    Start and enable the libvirtd service:

    sudo systemctl enable libvirtd && sudo systemctl start libvirtd
    

    Add your user to the libvirt group by typing this command:

    sudo usermod -a -G libvirt $(whoami)
    

    Start the default network and enable autostart:

    sudo virsh net-start default && sudo virsh net-autostart --network default
    
  7. Fix slow shutdown

    Edit system.conf and change the default value from 90s to 15s (or 10s):

    sudo vim /etc/systemd/system.conf
    
    DefaultTimeoutStopSec=15s
    
  8. Remove all pre-installed GNOME games

    Run:

    sudo apt purge iagno lightsoff four-in-a-row gnome-robots pegsolitaire gnome-2048 hitori gnome-klotski gnome-mines gnome-mahjongg gnome-sudoku quadrapassel swell-foop gnome-tetravex gnome-taquin aisleriot gnome-chess five-or-more gnome-nibbles tali
    sudo apt autoremove
    

    Or just run:

    sudo apt purge gnome-games
    
  9. Fix broken QT application theme

    Follow the steps covered under the “Fix Broken QT Themes on Debian” guide.

  10. Font configuration

    Follow the steps by clicking here.

  11. Set up firewall

    Click here and follow the steps.