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Create Your Windows IoT Device

This guide walks you through the essential steps to create and prepare a Windows IoT device for development. Whether you're using a Raspberry Pi or another supported hardware, the process is designed to be straightforward.

1. Choose Your Hardware

Windows IoT is compatible with a variety of single-board computers (SBCs). The most popular is the Raspberry Pi, but other options exist. Ensure your chosen device meets the minimum requirements for Windows IoT.

2. Download the Windows IoT Image

You'll need the correct Windows IoT operating system image for your specific hardware. Microsoft provides these images through the Windows Insider Program or specific release channels.

Visit the official Windows IoT download page and select the image that matches your SBC model.

3. Prepare Your Storage Media

Most Windows IoT devices boot from a microSD card. You'll need a reliable card with sufficient storage (typically 16GB or larger, Class 10 or faster recommended).

4. Flash the OS Image

Use a flashing tool to write the downloaded Windows IoT image to your microSD card.

  • Recommended Tool: Raspberry Pi Imager (for Raspberry Pi) or Rufus.
  • Ensure you select the correct image file and the target microSD card.
  • Start the flashing process and wait for it to complete.

5. Initial Boot and Setup

Insert the flashed microSD card into your device and connect the necessary peripherals (display, keyboard, power). The device will boot into the Windows IoT setup experience.

Follow the on-screen prompts to:

  • Connect to a network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
  • Set your region and keyboard layout.
  • Create or sign in with your Microsoft account.
  • Configure privacy settings.

6. Device Provisioning (Optional but Recommended)

For production or managed environments, consider provisioning your device. This can involve setting up device management policies, pre-installing applications, and configuring network settings automatically.

Tools like Provisioning Packages and Windows Device Portal are invaluable for this stage.

Example: Flashing with Raspberry Pi Imager

If you are using a Raspberry Pi, the process is simplified with the Raspberry Pi Imager:

> Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager from the official website. > Launch Raspberry Pi Imager. > Click 'Choose OS'. > Select 'Other specific-purpose OS' > 'Windows IoT'. > Choose the appropriate Windows IoT version for your Raspberry Pi. > Click 'Choose Storage' and select your microSD card. > Click 'Write' and confirm.

Next Steps

Once your device is set up, you're ready to configure your development environment and start building applications. Proceed to the Development Setup guide.