Basic Raspberry Pi OS Setup

This post is a walkthrough of how to install the Raspberry Pi OS onto a MicroSD card, ending with a working Raspberry Pi in either desktop or headless mode.

The people involved with the Raspberry Pi ecosystem are amazing and continue to put out products and software that make setting up and using a Pi simpler than ever. The Raspberry Pi Imager is one of those ‘products’. It is free software that makes getting the Raspberry Pi OS onto a MicroSD card super easy and very configurable.

First step: download and install the Raspberry Pi OS Imager onto a computer (not the Raspberry Pi as it is not yet running).

Second step: ‘plug in’ the MicroSD card. This could be using the MicroSD card-slot on a laptop or using a USB-to-MicroSD card reader.

As there are so many operating systems and possible hardware solutions, this post cannot comprehensively help if your computer cannot ‘see’ the MicroSD card. Searching online will hopefully provide a solution.

Third step: Run the Imager application. The Imager provides a number of helpful options.

• “CHOOSE OS” – The Raspberry Pi 3s, 4s, and Zero 2s can all run the 64-bit versions. All Pis can run the 32-bit version (as of 2022 September). Normally, if one has a 3, 4, or Zero 2 then one would use the 64-bit version.
  If you know you will be running your Pi without a screen, keyboard, and mouse, then you can use the ‘headless’ or ‘lite’ version. Otherwise, choose the regular ‘desktop’ version.
• “CHOOSE SD CARD” – The Imager normally does a pretty good job of helping you find the MicroSD card. But to make very sure you chose the MicroSD card as the destination “Storage”! If needed, remove the MicroSD card, note which Storage options are available, and then plug-in the MicroSD card again so as to be positive you are picking the expected “Storage” option.
• If you are intending to connect a screen, monitor, and keyboard to the Pi and you are not going to use the Ethernet port for networking / you are intending to use the WiFi built into the Pi, open the Advanced menu (the gear-looking icon in the bottom right of the Imager window) and go to the ‘Configure wireless LAN’, setting up the SSID and password of your WiFi connection.
• However, if you are intending to use the Pi headless (no screen, keyboard, mouse), then be sure to open the Advanced menu (the gear-looking icon in the bottom right of the Imager window) and setup:
  • the Wireless SSID & password if going wireless (required if not using the Ethernet port for networking)
  • Enable and configure SSH (required or you’ll never be able to login)
  • Locale items
• “WRITE” – You are now ready to write the Raspberry Pi OS and relevant configurations onto the MicroSD card! Clicking the ‘WRITE’ button will require one or more confirmations from you.
• Wait until the Imager says it is done.
  

Fourth Step: Setup the Pi and any other hardware.

• Be sure the power to the Pi is either unplugged or ‘off’ if the cable has an on/off switch.
• Remove the MicroSD card from your computer and plug it into the Raspberry Pi.
  • Locate the tiny card-slot located on the bottom of the Pi, on the side opposite the USB plugs.
  • The card is inserted with copper/gold-colored contacts ‘up’ – that is, rotate the card until the contacts are on the side of the card that is going to be inserted into the slot on the Pi and they contacts look like they will touch the Pi itself (not face away from the Pi).
• If using a screen, keyboard, and mouse: plug in the HDMI cable to the Pi & the screen and plug in the keyboard and mouse.
• If using an Ethernet cable, plug it in to the Pi and your network.
• Plug the power-supply into the Pi (and turn the switch to ‘on’ if the cable has as switch.

Fifth Step: Complete the setting up of your Pi.

• If using a screen, keyboard, mouse:
  • The Pi make reboot itself a few times setting itself up, so wait until the screen shows a ‘desktop’.
  • If using WiFi, hover the cursor over the the icons in the upper-right of the desktop, looking for an icon that is either the typical ‘WiFi’ icon or is a pair of arrows with one pointing up and the other down. Click on the icon and if it is not already selected/running, pick your WiFi access point and enter your password.
• If using SSH instead of a screen:
  • Use whatever tooling yo have available to find the IP address of the Pi. Usually, an easy way to do this is to use the web-page / GUI of your router to find the Pi and its associated IP address.
  • Using an SSH client (or command line), SSH into the Pi using the username and password (or key if that is what you used) set up in the “Third step” above. If you are using SSH, this post assumes you know how to configure SSH to your liking.

You now have a running Raspberry Pi! Most people like to update the software right away – feel free to do that using any of the many, excellent tutorials available online.