BunsenLabs Linux Carbon

Before you install

Read the release notes and installation guide before downloading. Select an image that matches the processor architecture and intended use: desktop, server, live media, virtual machine or another published edition. Test Wi-Fi, graphics, audio, storage and suspend from live media when that option is available. Back up important files before repartitioning, encryption changes or dual-boot installation. Download from an official project page or mirror, compare the published SHA-256 checksum, and verify a signed checksum when the project provides one. After installation, apply updates before adding third-party repositories or drivers.

1. 1
   Check the SHA-256

   Compare the file with the checksum published by BunsenLabs Linux. If it does not match, download it again.

2. 2
   Write it to a USB drive

   Use Ventoy, balenaEtcher, Fedora Media Writer or Rufus. Copying the ISO as a normal file does not work.

3. 3
   Boot from the USB

   Open the boot menu (often F12, F10 or Esc) and choose the USB drive in UEFI mode. Back up your data first.

About BunsenLabs Linux

BunsenLabs Carbon is a Debian 13 Trixie-based live and installable system with a configured Openbox desktop, tint2 panel and graphical utilities. It continues the community approach of CrunchBang with a lightweight, customizable environment. The selected image is Carbon 1 for amd64, published on 11 February 2026. Carbon does not provide the old i386 images advertised for earlier BunsenLabs generations.

Who is it for?

BunsenLabs Linux is primarily suited to daily desktop use, study, web browsing and productivity; older computers, modest hardware and lightweight virtual machines. Before choosing it, compare the current release lifecycle with the length of support required for the machine. This distribution is based on debian, which influences package formats, repositories and much of the available documentation. The listed desktop environment is Openbox; confirm its memory, graphics and accessibility requirements on the official project site. The best choice depends on hardware support, preferred software, update policy and the amount of system administration the user wants to perform.

Advantages and limitations

Advantages

• Suitable for modest hardware or lightweight virtual machines, subject to the selected edition.
• Benefits from the package ecosystem and documentation associated with its debian lineage.

Limitations

• Hardware support, upgrade policy and available editions should be confirmed in the current official documentation.