How to Install Raspberry Pi OS: Complete Beginner's Guide

Installing Raspberry Pi OS is the first step for anyone who wants to get started with the world’s most popular single-board computer. Whether you’re building a retro gaming console, a home server, a robotics project, or just learning Linux for the first time, Raspberry Pi OS is the official operating system that gives you everything you need right out of the box.

This guide walks you through the complete process — from choosing the right Raspberry Pi model and downloading the OS, to flashing your SD card and booting up for the first time. Even if you’ve never worked with a Raspberry Pi before, you’ll be up and running by the end of this tutorial.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you can install Raspberry Pi OS, you’ll need a few things. Having everything ready in advance makes the process smooth and frustration-free.

A Raspberry Pi board — Any model will work (Pi 5, Pi 4, Pi Zero 2W, etc.)
A microSD card — At least 16GB, Class 10 or better. 32GB is recommended for a comfortable experience.
A microSD card reader — Either built into your laptop or a USB adapter
A computer — Windows, Mac, or Linux to flash the OS
A power supply — 5V/3A for Pi 4 or 5V/5A USB-C for Pi 5
Optional: HDMI cable, keyboard, mouse — For a standard setup. Not needed for headless SSH setup.

Recommended: Raspberry Pi 5 Model 4GB RAM — The sweet spot for most projects. The Pi 5 is 2–3× faster than Pi 4, supports PCIe, and the 4GB variant handles desktop use, coding, and lightweight servers without breaking a sweat.

Recommended: Raspberry Pi 5 Model 2GB RAM — Perfect for headless servers, IoT projects, and beginners who want the Pi 5 performance at a lower cost. Runs Raspberry Pi OS Lite without any issues.

Step 1: Download the Raspberry Pi Imager

The Raspberry Pi Foundation provides an official tool called Raspberry Pi Imager that makes installing the OS incredibly simple. It handles downloading, verifying, and flashing the OS all in one place — no need to manually download ISO files or use separate tools like Etcher.

To get it:

Go to raspberrypi.com/software
Download the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu)
Install it like any regular application

Raspberry Pi Imager is available for all major platforms and is updated regularly to include the latest OS versions. It’s far easier than the old method of manually downloading a ZIP file and flashing it with a third-party tool.

Step 2: Choose the Right OS Version

When you open Raspberry Pi Imager and click “Choose OS,” you’ll see several options. Here’s what each one means:

Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) — The most compatible version. Works on all Pi models from Pi 1 to Pi 5. Choose this if you’re unsure.
Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) — Better performance on Pi 3, 4, and 5 which have 64-bit processors. Recommended for Pi 4 and Pi 5 with 4GB or more RAM.
Raspberry Pi OS Lite — No desktop environment (GUI). Command-line only. Ideal for servers, headless setups, and IoT projects where you don’t need a display.
Raspberry Pi OS Full — Includes the desktop plus a large collection of recommended software like office apps, code editors, and tools.

For most beginners who want a desktop experience, choose Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) if you have a Pi 4 or Pi 5. For a Pi Zero or older model, stick with the 32-bit version.

Step 3: Configure Settings Before Flashing

This is the step most beginners skip, and it causes the most headaches later. Raspberry Pi Imager has a built-in configuration panel that lets you set up your Pi before it even boots. This is especially useful if you want to skip the initial setup wizard or configure SSH without a monitor.

After selecting your OS and SD card, click the gear icon (⚙️) or press Ctrl+Shift+X to open the Advanced Options panel. Here you can:

Set hostname — Give your Pi a name (e.g., mypi). You can then access it via mypi.local on your network.
Enable SSH — Toggle this on so you can connect via SSH without a monitor. Set it to “Use password authentication” for simplicity.
Set username and password — Don’t leave it at the default. Create a strong password here.
Configure Wi-Fi — Enter your SSID and password so the Pi connects to your network on first boot. Essential for headless setups.
Set locale — Choose your timezone and keyboard layout to avoid having to do it later.

Once configured, click Save and proceed to flash.

Step 4: Flash the SD Card

Now you’re ready to write the OS to the SD card. This is a straightforward process:

Insert your microSD card into your computer’s card reader
In Raspberry Pi Imager, click “Choose Storage” and select your SD card
Double-check that you’ve selected the correct drive — this process will erase everything on it
Click “Write”
Confirm the warning prompt
Wait for the flashing process to complete (usually 5–15 minutes depending on your card speed and OS size)
Raspberry Pi Imager will verify the write automatically — don’t remove the card until it says “Write Successful”

Once complete, safely eject the SD card from your computer.

Step 5: First Boot and Initial Setup

Insert the microSD card into your Raspberry Pi’s card slot (it’s on the underside of the board). Connect your power supply, and the Pi will automatically begin booting.

If you have a monitor connected: You’ll see the Raspberry Pi boot splash screen, followed by the desktop or the setup wizard (if you didn’t pre-configure via Imager). The wizard will walk you through setting country, language, password, Wi-Fi, and updates.

If you set up headlessly via Imager: The Pi will boot, connect to Wi-Fi, and be accessible via SSH. On your computer, open a terminal and type:

ssh [email protected]

Replace mypi with whatever hostname you set. If .local doesn’t resolve, find the Pi’s IP address from your router’s admin panel and SSH directly to that IP.

The first boot may take a few extra minutes as the OS expands the filesystem to fill your SD card. This is normal.

Recommended: Raspberry Pi 5 Model 16GB RAM — If you’re planning to run AI workloads, multiple services simultaneously, or want the absolute maximum performance from a Pi, the 16GB variant gives you room to grow. Pairs perfectly with NVMe SSD for blazing-fast OS performance.

Step 6: Essential Post-Install Configuration

After the first boot, there are a few things you should always do to keep your Pi secure and running well.

Update the system

Always update your Pi immediately after installing the OS:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This can take 10–30 minutes on a fresh install, but it’s important for security patches and bug fixes.

Run raspi-config

The Raspberry Pi configuration tool gives you access to important settings:

sudo raspi-config

Key options to check:

System Options → Password — Change default password if you didn’t set one via Imager
Interface Options — Enable I2C, SPI, GPIO interfaces if your project needs them
Performance Options → GPU Memory — Adjust if you’re running a headless server (set to 16MB)
Advanced Options → Expand Filesystem — Ensures the OS uses the full SD card (usually done automatically on Pi OS)

Enable and configure the firewall (optional)

For internet-connected Pis, installing a basic firewall is good practice:

sudo apt install ufw -y
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw enable

Recommended: Acrylic Case for Raspberry Pi 4 with 3.5 inch LCD — Protect your Pi with a sturdy acrylic case. Includes cutouts for all ports and fits the 3.5″ touchscreen display, making it perfect for a compact desktop setup or portable project enclosure.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Even with a straightforward process, things can sometimes go wrong. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

Pi doesn’t boot / no display: Check that the SD card is fully inserted. Try re-flashing with a fresh download. Ensure your power supply provides enough current (cheap USB chargers often don’t).
Can’t connect via SSH: Make sure SSH was enabled in Imager before flashing. Verify the Pi is on the same network as your computer. Try the IP address instead of hostname.
Wi-Fi not connecting: Double-check SSID and password in the Imager settings. Note that Pi 4 and earlier don’t support 5GHz Wi-Fi on all models — use 2.4GHz if unsure.
SD card not detected by Imager: Try a different USB port, a different card reader, or reformat the SD card using SD Card Formatter tool first.
Slow performance: A slow SD card is the most common cause. Use a Class 10 or A1/A2 rated card. Consider booting from USB SSD for much better performance.

Recommended: 18650 Battery Holder Development Board V3 for Raspberry Pi — Turn your Raspberry Pi into a portable device with this 18650 battery holder board. It provides regulated 5V output with overcharge protection, perfect for field projects, portable displays, and battery-powered IoT devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default username and password for Raspberry Pi OS?

On recent versions of Raspberry Pi OS (Bullseye and later), there is no default username or password — you must set them during setup via Raspberry Pi Imager or the first-boot wizard. On older versions, the default was username pi and password raspberry, but this is no longer the case for security reasons.

Can I install Raspberry Pi OS on a USB drive instead of an SD card?

Yes! Raspberry Pi 4 and Pi 5 support USB booting, which is much faster than SD cards. The process is the same — just use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash to a USB SSD instead of a microSD card. You may need to update the Pi’s bootloader first using an SD card.

How much storage do I need for Raspberry Pi OS?

Raspberry Pi OS Desktop requires at least 8GB, but 16GB or 32GB is recommended. Raspberry Pi OS Lite only needs about 2GB, but 8GB gives you room for packages and projects. For comfortable use with the full desktop, 32GB is ideal.

Can I install multiple operating systems on one Raspberry Pi?

Not simultaneously, but you can use PINN (PINN Is Not NOOBS) or keep multiple SD cards, each with a different OS. Swap the card to switch OS. This is a popular approach for experimenting with different Linux distributions.

Is Raspberry Pi OS free?

Yes, Raspberry Pi OS is completely free to download and use. It is based on Debian Linux and is maintained by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. All versions — Lite, Standard, and Full — are free.

Get Started with Your Raspberry Pi Today

Installing Raspberry Pi OS takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, and it opens the door to thousands of projects — from home automation and media servers to robotics, AI experiments, and learning to code. The Raspberry Pi OS is actively maintained, beginner-friendly, and has an enormous community behind it.

The key steps are simple: download Raspberry Pi Imager, configure your settings (especially SSH and Wi-Fi for headless setups), flash your SD card, and boot up. Once running, keep the system updated and explore the built-in tools and applications.

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