Run the Official Debian Rolling Release - Sid - in a VirtualBox VM 🌱

What is Debian Sid?

Debian Unstable (also known by its codename "Sid") is not strictly a release, but rather a rolling development version of the Debian distribution containing the latest packages that have been introduced into Debian. As with all Debian release names, Sid takes its name from a Toy Story character. In the movie, Sid is the kid next door who breaks his toys and makes nasty creatures of them. - https://wiki.debian.org/DebianUnstable

Running Debian Sid

1. Download Debian Unstable (Sid) Download
2. Launch VirtualBox
3. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

   Name: Debian Sid
   Machine Folder: C:\VMs
   Type: Linux
   Version: Debian (64-bit)
   Memory Size: 4096 MB
   Hard disk: Create a virtual hard disk now

4. Click Create
5. On the Create Virtual Hard Disk dialog

   Name the virtual disk image Debian Sid.vdi
   File size: 30 GB (or more)
   Hard disk file type: VDI
   Storage on physical hard disk: Dynamically Allocated

6. Click Create
7. Select the VM and Click Settings
8. Select System > Processor
9. Give the VM at least 2 processors
10. Select Display
11. Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
12. Select Network
13. Set the attached to dropdown to Bridged Adapter
14. Select Storage
15. Click on the CD-ROM drive
16. Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
17. Browse to and select the downloaded Debian mini.iso file
18. Click OK
19. Make sure the Debian Sid VM is selected and click Start > Normal
20. When the install dialog displays press Enter to select Install
21. Select a language > Press Enter
22. Select a Location > Press Enter
23. Select a keyboard layout > Press Enter
24. Enter a hostname for the VM > Press Enter
25. Enter a Domain name or leave it empty > Press Enter
26. Choose a mirror location > Press Enter
27. Choose a mirror > Press Enter
28. Set the HTTP proxy if needed > Press Enter
29. Leave the root password empty > Press Enter > Press Enter again to confirm
30. Enter the full name for the new user > Press Enter
31. Enter the username for the new user > Press Enter
32. Enter a password for the new user > Press Enter > Confirm the password > Press Enter
33. Select a timezone > Press Enter
34. Select Guided - user entire disk > Press Enter
35. Select the VBOX HARDDISK > Press Enter
36. Select All files in one partition > Press Enter
37. Select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk > Press Enter
38. Select Yes to confirm writing the changes > Press Enter
39. Select a country to use for the apt mirror > Press Enter
40. Select a mirror from the list > Press Enter
41. Setup a HTTP proxy if necessary > Press Enter
42. Choose if you want to participate in package usage survey > Press Enter
43. Select the optional software to install > Press Enter
44. Wait for Debian Sid to copy and install files
45. Select Yes to install GRUB > Press Enter
46. Select /dev/sda for the boot loader location > Press Enter
47. After the bootloader is installed press Enter to finish the installation and reboot
48. Log in using the username and password created during the installation
49. Welcome to Debian Sid

Optional Steps

1. Select Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image...
2. Open the Files application > Select the Guest Additions Disc > Right click in the white space > Open terminal here
3. In the Terminal window run the following commands
   # update software repositories
   sudo apt update
   # install available software updates
   sudo apt upgrade -y
   # clean apt cache
   sudo apt clean
   # install prerequisites
   sudo apt-get install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
   # run the virtualbox guest additions installer
   sudo sh ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
   # restart the VM
   sudo reboot
4. The VM will reboot
5. Upon rebooting, you can now full screen the VM and the internal resolution will automatically change to match the window size
6. Log back into Debian

Documentation: https://wiki.debian.org/DebianUnstable