How to Install NOOBS on Raspberry Pi

This guide explains how to install NOOBS on Raspberry Pi, with clear steps, practical tips, and important checks before you begin.

As the name of the tool suggests, NOOBS is perfect for Pi novices. It lets you choose your preferred Supported operating systems and install it instantly. But how to download NOOBS? Here's a complete guide on how to install NOOBS on a Raspberry Pi.

How to install NOOBS on Raspberry Pi

Things you need to install NOOBS on a Raspberry Pi

This project is quite simple. In addition to the Raspberry Pi and the essential peripherals, here's all you need:

• The computer has an SD card slot
• A minimum 8GB SD or microSD card

Steps taken

Step 1: Download NOOBS and extract it

• Download NOOBS here

You'll use your computer to put NOOBS on the SD card - so step 1 is to load NOOBS into the computer!

The NOOBS download page will allow you to choose between NOOBS and NOOBS Lite. NOOBS includes a full version of Raspbian, so you can install that particular Supported operating systems without using the Internet. On the other hand, with NOOBS Lite, you'll need a network connection to install whatever Supported operating systems NOOBS offers - even Raspbian.

Go ahead and choose whatever version you want. NOOBS will download it as a. zip file, so before you do anything else, go ahead and unzip it.

Step 2: Format the SD card

Now, insert the SD card into the corresponding slot on the computer. You will need to format it as FAT. There are several ways to do this:

On a Mac or Windows, use the SD Association's SD Memory Card Formatter tool. Make sure that the Format size adjustment option is set to On. Then, format the card to FAT (or MS-DOS).

Step 3: Put the NOOBS files on the SD card

Now, just drag and drop the NOOBS files onto the new formatted SD card. You only want the files, so if your. zip file is unzipped into a folder, open that folder and just select the contents within it.

Step 4: Put the SD card in the Raspberry Pi and boot it up

Once you have NOOBS on your SD card, using it is incredibly easy. Just put the SD card in the Raspberry Pi and launch that app. The ultimate goal here is to install an Supported operating systems like Raspbian, LibreELEC, OSMC or any other Supported operating systems that NOOBS gives you access to.

This is where it happens. After starting NOOBS, you will see a menu that lets you select the Supported operating systems you want to install on your Pi. Your menu may look a little different from the one in the screenshot above, because NOOBS cleverly adjusts to each Raspberry Pi model.

Which Supported operating systems should you choose? It is up to you. When you have made your decision, just press Install.