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Raspberry Pi 3 & 4 Quick Start Guide

Official Vilros quick start guide for setting up your Raspberry Pi 3 or Raspberry Pi 4. From unboxing to first boot.

Quick StartPi 3 & 4By Vilros

About this guide

This is the official Vilros quick start guide for Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 4 models. Whether you purchased a complete kit or individual components, this guide will help you get your Raspberry Pi up and running.

Raspberry Pi 4 PDF manual: Open the Raspberry Pi 4 quick-start PDF to view or download the manual for offline reference.

What you need

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B/B+:

  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B or B+ board
  • 5V 2.5A micro-USB power supply
  • MicroSD card (8GB minimum, 16GB+ recommended) with Raspberry Pi OS
  • HDMI cable and monitor
  • USB keyboard and mouse
  • Case (optional but recommended)

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B:

  • Raspberry Pi 4 Model B board (2GB, 4GB, or 8GB RAM)
  • 5V 3A USB-C power supply (official recommended)
  • MicroSD card with Raspberry Pi OS
  • Micro-HDMI to HDMI cable(s) and monitor
  • USB keyboard and mouse
  • Case with adequate cooling (Pi 4 runs warmer)

Assembly & first boot

  1. Install in case (optional): If using a case, place the Raspberry Pi inside following the case instructions. Install any included heat sinks on Pi 4.
  2. Insert microSD card: Insert the microSD card (with Raspberry Pi OS pre-loaded) into the slot on the underside of the Pi.
  3. Connect display:
    • Pi 3: Connect monitor via full-size HDMI cable.
    • Pi 4: Connect monitor via micro-HDMI to HDMI cable (use HDMI0, the port nearest the USB-C power).
  4. Connect peripherals: Plug in USB keyboard and mouse. Optionally connect Ethernet cable.
  5. Connect power:
    • Pi 3: Connect 2.5A micro-USB power supply.
    • Pi 4: Connect 3A USB-C power supply.

    The Pi will boot automatically when power is applied. Do not disconnect power during operation.

First-time configuration

On first boot, Raspberry Pi OS will guide you through setup:

  1. Welcome screen: Select your country, language, timezone, and keyboard layout.
  2. Set password: Create a secure password for the default user (username is typically pi on older installations, or you'll create a new username on current OS versions).
  3. WiFi setup: If not using Ethernet, select your wireless network and enter the password.
  4. Software updates: Allow the system to check for and install updates. This may take several minutes. Updating ensures you have the latest security patches and features.
  5. Reboot: After updates complete, the system will prompt you to reboot.

After reboot, you'll see the Raspberry Pi desktop environment.

Next steps

Your Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 is now ready to use. Here are some ways to get started:

  • Explore pre-installed software: Try Chromium web browser, Thonny (Python IDE), Scratch (visual programming), LibreOffice, and other pre-installed applications.
  • Learn programming: Open Thonny and try Python. Raspberry Pi OS includes extensive Python libraries including GPIO control.
  • Build projects: Browse the Projects section for beginner-friendly tutorials.
  • Install more software: Open Recommended Software from the menu to discover and install additional programs.
  • Raspberry Pi 4 cooling: If your Pi 4 runs hot, consider adding a fan or better heatsinks. See our cooling fan installation guide.