What operating system does the Raspberry Pi use?
What operating system does the Raspberry Pi use?
Raspberry Pi uses an operating system called Raspberry Pi OS, which is a specially adapted version of Linux.
Raspberry Pi OS - the main system of this platform
Raspberry Pi OS (formerly called Raspbian) is the official operating system developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It is based on Debian, one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its high stability and open nature. Raspberry Pi OS includes a set of tools tailored for education, programming and everyday use. The system offers a full graphical (desktop) environment, lightweight and optimised, as well as a set of pre-installed applications such as the Chromium web browser, LibreOffice office suite, development tools (e.g. Python and Thonny IDE) and access to a terminal and file manager. In the latest versions of Raspberry Pi OS, the default graphics server has become Wayland, replacing the previous X11. This change improves the security and modernity of the system, but may also cause some problems with older applications that are not yet adapted to the new graphical environment.
Alternative operating systems
Although the Raspberry Pi OS is the most commonly used, many other operating systems can be installed on the Raspberry Pi, depending on your needs. One popular choice is Ubuntu, available in Desktop and Server versions. Ubuntu provides a more versatile environment and familiar interface for users used to Linux-type systems. For multimedia applications, there is LibreELEC, which turns the Raspberry Pi into a full-fledged home entertainment centre, with the ability to play high-definition videos and stream content from the web. Users looking for a Windows-like system can try Twister OS, which combines a Windows-like desktop environment with a Linux-based foundation. This is a friendly solution for those new to the Raspberry Pi but who want to stay with a familiar interface layout.
Can the Raspberry Pi run on Windows?
Microsoft does not provide a full version of Windows for the Raspberry Pi. It is possible to run a special version called Windows 10 IoT Core, but it does not offer a full desktop environment. It is mainly intended for developers of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, rather than for everyday desktop use. Thanks to the enthusiast community, it is possible to run Windows 10 or 11 on an ARM64 version on a Raspberry Pi, but such installations have serious limitations. Among other things, there is a lack of suitable graphics controllers, which prevents the Interfaces from running smoothly. The system runs slowly and its use is experimental rather than practical.
How to install the system?
For the Raspberry Pi to work, the operating system needs to be installed on a microSD card or an external SSD. The official Raspberry Pi Imager tool is available for this purpose, which allows you to easily upload the Raspberry Pi OS or any other system of your choice. Once the media is plugged in and the device is booted up, the Raspberry Pi starts operating exactly like a classic computer.
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