Getting Started With RISC OS on Raspberry Pi

If you’ve ever been curious about what computers were like 30 years ago, RISC OS is a great way to find out. I tested it on my Raspberry Pi, so you don’t have to, and while the setup (especially Wi-Fi) isn’t the easiest, here’s how to get started.

RISC OS can be installed using Raspberry Pi Imager and configured manually, but Wi-Fi setup requires additional steps and is not as intuitive as on Raspberry Pi OS.

In this article, I’ll take you on a guided tour of the RISC OS interface and built-in apps, so you can get a feel for how it works and whether it’s something you’d want to keep using.

If you’re new to Raspberry Pi or Linux, I’ve got something that can help you right away!
Download my free Linux commands cheat sheet – it’s a quick reference guide with all the essential commands you’ll need to get things done on your Raspberry Pi. Click here to get it for free!

Introduction to RISC OS

RISC OS is an alternative operating system you can try on your Raspberry Pi. It’s not as popular as Raspberry Pi OS or Ubuntu, but it has a unique charm, especially if you’re into retro computing.

Let me give you a quick overview of what RISC OS is all about.

RISC OS Origins

RISC OS was originally developed by Acorn Computers in the UK during the late 1980s. It was designed to run on ARM-based systems, which were also created by Acorn at the time.

The name “RISC” stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computer, which describes a simplified processor design.

RISC OS was created to run on ARM processors, which follow this architecture and are still used in all Raspberry Pi models today.

What Makes RISC OS Different

Like any other operating system, RISC OS can manage files, run applications, and connect to the Internet. It works with your keyboard, mouse, and display just like you’d expect.

But a few things set it apart:

• It uses a unique graphical interface that feels a bit old-school, and it might take some getting used to.
• It’s extremely lightweight, so it runs well even on older or low-powered Raspberry Pi models.
• It’s fairly stable and comes with a few programming tools built in, including support for BASIC and other languages.

RISC OS is a good fit if you want to try something fast and minimal, or if you’re just curious about operating systems beyond the usual Linux distributions.

Who Uses RISC OS Today?

RISC OS is still actively used, especially by people who enjoy lightweight systems or retro computing. It’s not as common as Linux, but it definitely has its niche.

Here are the kinds of users who typically use it:

• Hobbyists and developers who enjoy experimenting with lightweight systems.
• Educators and students who want to understand how computers work.
• Retro computing fans who love Acorn and ARM’s early history.
• Curious Raspberry Pi users (like you?) who want to try something else rather than Linux on the Raspberry Pi.

If that sounds like you, RISC OS might be worth checking out.

How to Install and Configure RISC OS on Raspberry Pi

Now that you know what RISC OS is for, I’ll go over the hardware you’ll need to run it and the detailed steps to install it on your Raspberry Pi.

Prerequisites

RISC OS works with several Raspberry Pi models, including the Zero, Pi 1, Pi 2, Pi 3, and Pi 4/400.

Note: It does not support the Raspberry Pi 5 yet, so keep that in mind before getting started.

You will also need:

• An SD card with at least 2 GB of storage for flashing the image.
• A keyboard and mouse, at least for the initial configuration.

Aside from that, you don’t need anything special.

Installation

I recommend installing RISC OS on a Raspberry Pi using Raspberry Pi Imager.
It’s a desktop app that works on Windows, Linux, and Mac, and with just a few clicks, your OS is flashed onto an SD card.

The installation steps are straightforward:

1. Connect an SD card to the computer.
2. Install and launch Raspberry Pi Imager.
3. Optional: specify Raspberry Pi device type.
   Make sure to pick a device that is supported by RISC OS, or it won’t be shown in the OS list.
4. Select an operating system.
   RISC OS is located under the “Other general-purpose OS” section.
   
5. Choose the storage device, i.e., SD card.
   
6. Click Next to start the installation.
   It will ask about erasing the SD Card, so be prepared for that.

When it’s all done, you can take the SD card and pop it into your Raspberry Pi.

Connection to the Wi-Fi

I hope your installation went smoothly! Now we’ll move on to the next steps and connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to your Raspberry Pi.

If you see such a screen on your monitor, then you are on the right track:

Before configuring the Wi-Fi, you can change the Desktop resolution by clicking the desktop icon, as shown below. Then, there is a small icon in the “Resolution” row.

Afterwards, pick up the one that suits you the best.

Let’s get the Wi-Fi set up next!

Just click the items in the order shown in the screenshot.
At the end, a small dialogue will pop up asking you to “Reset now” to apply the changes.

After the restart, you will notice that the Wi-Fi icon appears in the icon bar at the bottom of the screen.

I don’t like this complexity. Wouldn’t it be better having it enabled by default ? Just thinking out loud.

To connect to the Wi-Fi, middle-click the Wi-Fi icon, and follow the steps shown in the screenshot below.

You might wonder (or maybe not?) why I always have the filesystem folder open in the screenshots. It’s because I took the screenshots using the default Paint program, and to save an image, I have to drag & drop the icon into a folder.

And can you imagine: dragging & dropping directly onto the desktop is not possible!

Are you a bit lost in the Linux command line? Check this article first for the most important commands to remember and a free downloadable cheat sheet so you can have the commands at your fingertips.

Quick Tour of RISC OS Default Apps

RISC OS comes with several pre-installed applications. Curious what’s already included?

Let’s check out a few of them! In the icon bar below, do you see the “Apps” icon?
Click it to open a window showing all the default applications:

PackMan

PackMan is the package manager for RISC OS, like apt on Debian or yum on Red Hat.

It has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to browse available applications, manage the ones you’ve already installed, and remove any you no longer need.

StrongED

StrongED is a great little text editor for RISC OS. It supports syntax highlighting for several programming languages, which makes it fun to work with.

Back then, having syntax highlighting was really a fancy feature!

Task Window

Task Window is a built-in “shell” or terminal for RISC OS, where you can execute commands. For example, you can enter the BBC Basic shell and type commands interactively, as shown below:

NetSurf

Finally, there’s NetSurf, the web browser for RISC OS. It can’t handle most modern websites, but it works well for basic browsing.

Is RISC OS Worth Trying?

RISC OS isn’t going to replace your main operating system, but if you’re curious about tech history, it’s absolutely worth a look.

It offers a unique glimpse into how user interfaces and computing worked in the early days of ARM systems. It boots fast, runs on minimal hardware, and gives you a very different experience compared to modern Linux distributions.

That said, don’t expect full compatibility with today’s tools and libraries. It’s not built for professional development, and you’ll run into limitations quickly if you try to use it for anything modern.

Try RISC OS if you’re interested in retro computing or want something different to explore on your Raspberry Pi. It’s not for daily use, but it’s fun to play with, and easy enough to get running with this guide.

Whenever you’re ready, here are other ways I can help you:

Test Your Raspberry Pi Level (Free): Not sure why everything takes so long on your Raspberry Pi? Take this free 3-minute assessment and see what’s causing the problems.

The RaspberryTips Community: Need help or want to discuss your Raspberry Pi projects with others who actually get it? Join the RaspberryTips Community and get access to private forums, exclusive lessons, and direct help (try it for just $1).

Master your Raspberry Pi in 30 days: If you are looking for the best tips to become an expert on Raspberry Pi, this book is for you. Learn useful Linux skills and practice multiple projects with step-by-step guides.

Master Python on Raspberry Pi: Create, understand, and improve any Python script for your Raspberry Pi. Learn the essentials step-by-step without losing time understanding useless concepts.

You can also find all my recommendations for tools and hardware on this page.