Home Server GuideBuild it. Understand it. Maintain it.

Getting Started

Raspberry Pi Setup

Preparing Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit) for the first boot

Download Raspberry Pi Imager, choose Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit, configure the first-boot settings and write the completed operating system to a microSD card.

Guide difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beginner Friendly
Estimated time ⏱️ Around 20–40 minutes Download and writing speed depend on your internet connection and microSD card.

By the end of this guide you will have

  • Raspberry Pi Imager installed on Windows.
  • Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit selected.
  • A hostname, username and password configured.
  • SSH enabled before the first boot.
  • A completed microSD card ready to insert into the Raspberry Pi.

1. Download Raspberry Pi Imager

Raspberry Pi Imager is the official Windows application used to prepare the storage device that the Raspberry Pi will boot from.

It downloads Raspberry Pi OS, writes it to the microSD card and saves the settings that the server will use on its first boot.

  1. Open the official Raspberry Pi website.

    Find Raspberry Pi Imager and choose the Windows download.

  2. Open the downloaded installer.

    Use the default installation choices.

  3. Open Raspberry Pi Imager.

2. Select Raspberry Pi 5

Raspberry Pi Imager device selection with Raspberry Pi 5 highlighted
Select Raspberry Pi 5, then choose Next.

Selecting the correct Raspberry Pi model helps Imager show compatible operating systems.

3. Choose Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit

This guide uses one tested operating system: Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit).

Raspberry Pi Imager operating system menu showing Raspberry Pi OS other
Choose Raspberry Pi OS (other). Do not select the first 32-bit Desktop option.
Raspberry Pi Imager showing Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit selected
Select Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit).

Why use the Lite version?

The server will be controlled from another computer using SSH and CasaOS. It does not need a graphical desktop, monitor, keyboard or mouse. A computer operated this way is described as headless.

Why use 64-bit?

Raspberry Pi 5 and the 8GB memory model are designed for a 64-bit operating system. It also provides the best compatibility with the Docker containers used later.

4. Select the microSD card

Insert the microSD card into the Windows computer using a built-in card reader or a USB card reader.

Choose the card in Raspberry Pi Imager and check its capacity carefully.

5. Choose a hostname

The hostname is the name that identifies the Raspberry Pi on the local network. This guide uses homeserver as an example.

Raspberry Pi Imager hostname customisation screen
Use a simple name containing lowercase letters, numbers or hyphens.

6. Set localisation

Choose the nearest capital city, correct time zone and keyboard layout. These control the system clock and keyboard behaviour.

Raspberry Pi Imager localisation settings for London Europe London and gb keyboard
Example localisation settings for a user in the United Kingdom.

7. Create the administrator account

Enter a lowercase username and a strong password. This account will be used when connecting to the Raspberry Pi through SSH.

Raspberry Pi Imager username and password screen
Choose your own username. Do not copy the temporary example shown in the screenshot.

8. Configure Wi-Fi only if needed

Ethernet is recommended for a server because it is normally faster and more reliable.

If the Raspberry Pi cannot use Ethernet, enter the Wi-Fi network name and password.

Raspberry Pi Imager Wi-Fi customisation screen
Leave this section blank when the server will use Ethernet.

9. Enable SSH

SSH allows another computer to control the Raspberry Pi without a monitor, keyboard or mouse connected to it.

Raspberry Pi Imager SSH authentication screen with SSH enabled and password authentication selected
Enable SSH and choose Use password authentication.

10. Leave Raspberry Pi Connect disabled

Raspberry Pi Connect is a separate remote-access service and is not used by this build.

Home Server Guide uses SSH on the local network and later documents its own remote-access setup. Continue without enabling Raspberry Pi Connect.

11. Write the microSD card

Before writing, confirm:

  • Device: Raspberry Pi 5
  • Operating system: Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit)
  • Storage: the intended microSD card
  • SSH: enabled with password authentication
  1. Select Next.
  2. Approve the warning that the card will be erased.
  3. Wait while Raspberry Pi Imager writes and verifies the card.

    Do not remove the card or switch off the computer.

  4. Wait for the completion message.
  5. Safely remove the card from Windows.

Checkpoint

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