How to Install Raspberry Pi to USB

How to Install Raspberry Pi to USB Manually from Windows: A Debian based desktop ISO does exist that enables a user to install and run Raspberry Pi from a USB flash drive on a desktop PC. In the following simple solution, I cover one way to image the ISO to your flash drive, and then boot the operating system from USB.

Prerequisites:

  1. Download and Install 7-Zip (used for extracting the Win32DiskImager.exe).
  2. Download and extract Win32 Disk Imager (To be used to put the ISO file on your USB).
  3. Download the desktop ISO file.

Extract the contents of the Win32DiskImager Binary Zip file to a folder, using 7-Zip. Then, locate and double click Win32DiskImager.exe to run the program.

Install Raspberry Pi to USB

Preparing a bootable USB flash drive:

Using Win32 Disk Imager Win32DiskImager.exe;
(1.) Browse to and select your ISO file.
(2.)Under Device, select the drive letter of your USB device.
(3.) Click Write.
Install Raspberry Pi to USB using Win32 Disk Imager

  1. Once Win32 Disk Imager has finished, restart your PC, and enter your system BIOS or Boot menu.
  2. Set your USB flash drive as the boot device, and proceed to boot.

If all goes well, you should begin to boot Raspberry Pi from your USB flash drive.

That's all there is to it! ;)