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# Debian 12 'Bookworm' New Features and Release Date
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/debian-12-features/
- Published: 2023-04-29T05:57:59.000Z
- Updated: 2023-04-30T11:32:32.000Z
- Description: Debian 12 is due for release soon. Learn more about its features and the release date.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

Debian's upcoming release code-named '**Bookworm**' is almost here, with many improvements and new features over [Debian 11 Bullseye](https://itsfoss.com/debian-11-feature/).

Debian 12 'Bookworm' **contains over 11200 new packages,** bringing the total to **over 59000 packages**! 

Most software included with Debian has been updated, with **9500+ packages being removed** for being old or obsolete.

Are you excited? Let's see what's new in Debian 12.

💡

The release date of Debian 12 [has been set](https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2023/04/msg00007.html?ref=itsfoss.com) to **June 10, 2023**, barring any unforeseen delays.

## 1\. Updated Installer

![a screenshot of the updated installer on debian 12](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Debian_12_F_1.png)

The installer on Debian has received various improvements that have resulted in improved hardware support and some exciting new features.

Take, for instance, the improved handling of proprietary firmware (non-free) for hardware, which has now made it straightforward to load up such firmware from within the installer.

This was made possible thanks to the inclusion of **Debian APT 2.6** which allows for better handling of non-free firmware on Debian.

![a screenshot of the package manager configuration on debian 12](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Debian_12_F_2.png)

So, now the non-free firmware binaries will be enabled by default when it is ascertained that they are required.

These changes will enable **better support for different hardware running on non-free firmware**, especially GPUs and Wi-Fi adapters.

## 2\. Linux Kernel 6.1

![a screenshot of the neofetch output on debian 12](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Debian_12_F_3.png)

Debian 12 'Bookworm' is powered by the [recently LTS-approved](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-1-is-now-an-lts-version/) Linux Kernel 6.1 that features **experimental support for Rust**, **enablement of Intel Meteor Lake**, **improved ARM SoC support,** and more.

You may want to go through our coverage to dive deeper.

[Linux Kernel 6.1 Released With Initial Rust CodeLinux Kernel 6.1 is now available! Potentially an LTS version considering it is the last stable release of the year.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/linux-kernel-6-1-release.png)](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-1-release/)

## 3\. Updated Software Suite

This Debian release also features an updated set of software that includes:

- GNOME 43
- KDE Plasma 5.27
- Xfce 4.18
- LXDE 11
- LXQt 1.2.0
- MATE 1.26
- LibreOffice 7.4
- Inkscape 1.2.2
- GIMP 2.10.34
- Vim 9.0

📋

As [GNOME 44](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-44-release/) was released at the end of March, it could not make it into Debian 12 due to schedule conflicts.

The desktop environment upgrades sound good along with necessary application updates.

## 4\. PipeWire by Default

![a screenshot of the pipewire version on debian 12](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Debian_12_F_4.png)

Great news for the [PipeWire](https://pipewire.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) enthusiasts out there!

Debian 12 is now at par with other leading distros, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Pop!\_OS, etc., by providing support for PipeWire out-of-the-box.

It replaces the aging [PulseAudio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PulseAudio?ref=itsfoss.com), allowing greatly improved handling of audio and video across the system.

## 5\. New Wallpaper

![a screenshot of the new wallpaper on debian 12](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Debian_12_F_5.png)

Any new release of Debian also means the inclusion of new wallpaper and theming updates.

Called '**Emerald**', this is a very clean-looking artwork style that seems to illustrate the properties of a gemstone, “*Elegantly polished and chiseled*.”

The default theme, installer banners, and more feature this artwork style, as demonstrated in the screenshots above.

You can check out its [gallery](https://wiki.debian.org/DebianArt/Themes/Emerald?ref=itsfoss.com) for Emerald to know more.

## 🛠️ Other Changes and Improvements

The above-mentioned are not the only changes; here are some that are worth mentioning:

- Non-free firmware packages are now handled with a dedicated component called 'non-free-firmware' in the Archive areas.
- Go-based packages have limited security support.
- Over 9519 packages were removed because they were old/obsolete.
- Debian 12 can now detect Windows 11 in a dual-boot setup.
- Added support for new ARM devices.

So, wrapping up.

This release of Debian is shaping up quite well, with many improvements and feature additions.

*What are you excited about with Debian 12? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.*