Overview:
We recently decided to set up a test environment for our website development project, which gives us a space for doodling — if you had a notepad and pen, so to speak.
While it sounded like a reasonable idea, we weren't keen on using a memory card simply because it wouldn't be optimal for our desired outputs in terms of speed.
After considering other options, we thought it wouldn't be such a bad idea to use an SSD (Solid State Drive), which would not only increase performance but also give us a larger overall storage capacity.
Conclusion: If you are a Raspberry Pi 4 owner, then installing an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be an upgrade worth considering. In our opinion, it's more reliable and definitely brings a noticeable improvement in performance.
Caution: This article is intended for the Raspberry Pi 4 model. Procedures may vary from model to model.
Prerequisites for Installing Raspberry Pi OS on a SSD:
Let's review the setup before proceeding to explain how to install Raspberry Pi OS on an SSD (Solid State Drive).
There are two stages to the setup, and for each stage, you will need the following when considering Raspberry Pi OS on an SSD:
Stage 1:
1). You will need a computer or laptop. This guide is explained using a Windows 11 computer; however, you may use other Microsoft operating systems.
2). Raspberry Pi Imager. I highly recommend installing it first.
3). A microSD card. For the purpose of this article, we are using a SanDisk Ultra Plus 32GB microSD card.
4). If your computer or laptop lacks a memory card reader, use an external adapter, as we didn't have any built-in options.
Stage 2:
1). Again, the use of a computer or laptop will be necessary.
2). SSD (Solid State Drive) to install Raspberry Pi OS.
3). Once more, you will use the Raspberry Pi Imager to install Raspberry Pi OS on the SSD (Solid State Drive).
How to Install RaspberryPi OS on a SSD?
Stage 1:
Initially, you will need to start by flashing the Raspberry Pi EEPROM bootloader. It's a fairly straightforward task, and I will thoroughly explain the technical steps you'll need to follow.
1). First, connect the microSD card to your computer or laptop. If you're using an external reader, simply slot the memory card in and connect the reader to your computer.
2). Launch the Raspberry Pi Imager, which you installed earlier.
3). Make the following selections:
Raspberry Pi Device:
Raspberry Pi 4
Raspberry Pi Operating System:
Select "Misc Utility Images" and then choose "Bootloader (Pi 4 Family)". Finally, select "USB Boot".
Storage:
Select your connected microSD card.
4). Press Next and select Yes, which will prompt you to format your memory card.
5). Allow the writing and verification process to complete. Once done, you'll be prompted with a confirmation screen where you can click Continue.
6). Eject your SD card from the system tray.
7). Disconnect the SD card and connect it to your Raspberry Pi.
8). Proceed to power on the Raspberry Pi. Allow a few moments for the bootloader to be flashed. Once the installation is successful, the power light will flash green continuously. You can then go ahead and power off the Raspberry Pi.
How to Install RaspberryPi OS on a SSD?
Stage 2:
Great work! You're now ready to install Raspberry Pi OS onto your SSD (Solid State Drive). We’ll be using the Raspberry Pi Imager for this process, and I’ll walk you through the steps so you can follow along.
1). Connect your SSD (Solid State Drive) to your computer or laptop.
2). If you don’t already have the Raspberry Pi Imager open, go ahead and launch it from the Start menu.
3). Now, we’ll need to configure the Raspberry Pi Imager tool in the following way:
Raspberry Pi Device:
Raspberry Pi 4
Operating System:
Select Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit), unless you have another preference.
Storage:
Select your connected SSD (Solid State Drive).
4). Press Next and select Yes, which will prompt you to format your SSD (Solid State Drive).
5). Allow the writing and verification process to complete. Once finished, you’ll be prompted with a confirmation screen where you can click Continue.
6). Eject your SSD (Solid State Drive) from the system tray.
7). Connect the SSD (Solid State Drive) to the USB port on the Raspberry Pi. We recommend using the blue-colored port, as it's a USB 3.0 with a higher transfer rate.
8). Power on your Raspberry Pi. If the setup was successful, the Raspberry Pi will boot from the SSD (Solid State Drive).
