Can Raspberry PI Software because of its Linux base be run in place of a windows OS on a Laptop? If so how would I go about it? Thanks!

87bob wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 17, 2025 4:59 pm

Can Raspberry PI Software because of its Linux base be run in place of a windows OS on a Laptop? If so how would I go about it? Thanks!

I'd start from "No, Not Possible", and let you explain why my assumptions are wrong.


But your question needs clarification. Such as what model of Laptop.


And are the words Software and OS interchangeable or just used carelessly?



Maybe also refer to the entry Raspberry Pi Desktop - Debian Bullseye with Raspberry Pi Desktop on the Raspberry Pi Downloads site at https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/

(But note that this is based on a long-obsolete version of the underlying Debian OS.)

Beware of the Leopard

You can install Linux to a regular PC, but RaspiOS is for ARM based SBC made by RaspberryPi...

(Probably you want to install Debian with LXDE; although there are many other distros to choose from.)

87bob wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 17, 2025 4:59 pm

Can Raspberry PI Software because of its Linux base be run in place of a windows OS on a Laptop? If so how would I go about it? Thanks!

There is an ancient version (from Jul 2022) of Raspberry PI OS Bullseye for X86_64 with the Raspberry Pi branding, but it's too far out of date now.
https://downloads.raspberrypi.com/rpd_x ... e-i386.iso

You'd do much better with a modern X86_64 version like Linux Mint 22.2.

I would go with a Debian install on that old laptop

Well, do as I did, after weeks of testing and backup I chose KDE Debian 13.1 for my 8 year old laptop + extra display. I had this simple request for a new desktop: let it be as close and as stable to work with as win10. KDE out of the box is what Win10 should have looked like, and you can't go wrong with Debian for stability. I guess your laptop runs Wind10 OS now, so this could be an option for you too. Be prepared though for a learning curve you might not have anticipated before you switch over, even when you are experienced with other Linux.

I installed it a month ago on a HP Elitedsk G3 Mini and only had some minor issues with an unsupported wifi usb dongle. A live test from usb on the laptop itself showed no problem with the wifi inside, and crucially also not with the docking station I use for extra displays. My main concern out of the way I finally wiped win10 from disk completely.

Used to a wallpaper slide-show on 2 displays, each with a different wallpaper, and those coming from just one directory, I wanted the same setup for my new Linux environment. I have some experience with feh on X11, swaybg on Wayland and fbi for no desktop, and I anticipated a XDE program with similar workings. There is one, but with limited features, only for one and the same wallpaper on every desktop and only for filling the screen instead of what I want: an uncropped fit. On Linux Mint (feh) and RPI OS (swaybg) I opted for a cron scheduled bash script for screen specific backgrounds. That works well, so why not do the same on KDE I thought. Well, it took me 2 days to find and test the necessary commands before my script finally showed the wanted uncropped pictures. I expected one hour, at most.

My conclusion for now is that KDE for desktop looks good, but works quite different from other Linux under the hood. So be warned, there can be some cost in time. And do this -it solves a UTC time problem (set to local time, check with "date -u") right after first start:

Last edited by HanDonotob on Sat Oct 18, 2025 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

Hey, yes, you can run the Raspberry Pi software on a laptop, but not the exact ARM version; you need the PC version called Raspberry Pi Desktop (x86). There below are some steps that may help you:
* Download a Raspberry Pi Desktop (x86).
* Make a bootable USB using a tool like Rufus or Balena Etcher.
* Plug the USB into your laptop and restart.
* Try it first without deleting Windows, or install it to replace Windows.

I hope this will help.

As stated before, RPI Desktop for PC is too old. Don't waste your time testing it in a VM if your laptop is 64-bit, a 32-bit iso is the only version you can download. Just out of interest, why do you even consider it for your laptop. Have you tried other Linux distro's?

HanDonotob wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:20 pm

Just out of interest, why do you even consider it for your laptop.

I can't speak for the OP but the reasons I use it are ...

• It works.

• It's the fastest route I know for getting a Linux onto a PC.

• It may not be Raspberry Pi OS but is the closest one can get to it.

• It looks like Raspberry Pi OS which I am familiar with and 'having the same' on all my Linux kit makes me happy.

• I know how to install it, how to get it, and where to get it from. No need to have to figure out what I need to install or where to get that from.

• It is easy to install.

• It supports 32-bit architectures.

I could possibly install Debian Trixie but I haven't seen anything which describes how to make it look like Raspberry Pi Desktop. I am not sure Debian Trixie even supports 32-bit. If I have to use an older Debian I might as well use a slightly older Raspberry Pi version.

Raspberry Pi say they will be producing a Raspberry Pi Desktop based on a more modern Debian and, when they do, I will upgrade to that if I can.

If someone could provide details of what I need to download and do to get 32-bit Debian Trixie running with the Raspberry Pi Desktop I would happily upgrade to that but I don't have the time to figure that out for myself.

hippy wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 18, 2025 2:14 pm

I am not sure Debian Trixie even supports 32-bit. If I have to use an older Debian I might as well use a slightly older Raspberry Pi version.

Debian Trixie dropped 32-bit support. For the Pi, the RPT folks did the work to support 32-bit Pis.

Yes 😊 You can install Raspberry Pi OS on a laptop — just download the x86 version, make a bootable USB, and install it like any Linux system.

HanDonotob wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:20 pm

Just out of interest, why do you even consider it for your laptop. Have you tried other Linux distro's?

From the style of reply, and the supposed-author's other posts, it's likely LLM slop.

As it is apparently board policy to disallow any criticism of anything, as it appears to criticise something is to criticise all the users of that something, I will no longer be commenting in threads which are not directly relevant to my uses of the Pi.

If you’re looking to run something lightweight on an older laptop, just keep in mind that RPi OS is mainly made for ARM, so the PC version is more of a 'look and feel' match than true Pi software. For better performance and up-to-date support, I’d personally go with a minimal Debian or Linux Mint install.

Basemall wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 12, 2025 6:33 am

If you’re looking to run something lightweight on an older laptop, just keep in mind that RPi OS is mainly made for ARM, so the PC version is more of a 'look and feel' match than true Pi software. For better performance and up-to-date support, I’d personally go with a minimal Debian or Linux Mint install.

Welcome, new user!

RPi OS is Linux. It doesn't matter what target it's compiled for.

Oh no, not again.