The Raspberry Pi 3 is a popular mini computer used by developers and tech enthusiasts around the world. However, this small machine has one limitation: the boot process from the SD card slot can be slow and unstable if you have many applications and files installed on the system.
The good news is that there is a better way to boot the system: from a USB stick or SSD. Transferring the operating system to an external storage device allows you to get faster and more reliable performance.
In this article, we will show you how to quickly and easily boot your Raspberry Pi 3 from a USB flash drive or SSD. We will walk you through the process step by step and give you tips on how to get the most out of your system.

So, if you want to improve the performance of your Raspberry Pi 3 by booting it from a USB flash drive or SSD, stay tuned.

Why the Raspberry Pi 3 boot from external storage?
One of the biggest challenges when using the Raspberry Pi 3 is to use the storage space as efficiently as possible. Over time, numerous files can accumulate, cluttering up the screen unnecessarily and wasting system resources. One possible solution is to boot the Raspberry Pi 3 from an external storage device such as a USB flash drive or SSD.
This has the advantage of freeing up the Raspberry Pi 3’s Internal Storage space, which improves system performance. Also, an external storage device is usually faster and more reliable than the Raspberry Pi 3’s internal storage, resulting in a faster and more responsive system.
Another important consideration is the ability to quickly and easily update the operating system on an external storage device. For example, if you want to try a new operating system, you can simply change the external storage medium and do not have to change the internal operating system.
- Advantages of using an external storage device:
- Free up the internal storage space of the Raspberry Pi 3
- Faster and more reliable than internal memory
- Easily update the operating system
- Eliminate performance issues caused by overcrowding of internal storage space
So if you are looking for a way to improve the performance and efficiency of your Raspberry Pi 3, using an external storage device is a great solution. It’s easy to set up and use, and offers numerous advantages over using internal memory.
Steps to transfer the operating system to the USB stick or SSD
If you want to save the operating system to a USB stick or SSD on your Raspberry Pi 3, you need to go through the process of transferring it. Here are some steps you should follow:
- Make a backup copy of your current Raspberry Pi 3 memory card before starting the transfer process.
- Format your USB stick or SSD to the file system supported by your Raspberry Pi 3.
- Copy the operating system image to your USB flash drive or SSD.
- Remove the memory card from your Raspberry Pi 3 and boot the Pi with the new storage device – either USB flash drive or SSD.
- Restore your settings and applications by restoring your backup to the new storage medium.
It is important not to lose your backup during the process. Otherwise, you will lose important settings and applications. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have a backup of all data on your USB flash drive or SSD in case something goes wrong.
If you follow these steps, you can successfully transfer your operating system to your USB stick or SSD and boot your Raspberry Pi 3 with it.
The advantages of booting a Raspberry Pi 3 from USB stick or SSD
The Raspberry Pi 3 is a popular single-board computer that is capable of performing many different tasks. It is very flexible and can be used for different projects. But one problem that many users face is the limited storage space on the SD card. When the Pi is in use for extended periods of time, large files can quickly eat up the available storage space.
One solution to this problem is to use an external storage device such as a USB flash drive or SSD. Booting the Raspberry Pi 3 from an external drive can avoid the limited storage space on the SD card. Instead, a large external drive can be used to store the files and applications you need.
Using an external storage device also improves the speed of the Raspberry Pi 3. External drives can be faster than SD cards and provide faster loading of applications and files. Reading speed is also improved, resulting in a smoother user experience.
- Increased reliability: when the Raspberry Pi 3 is booted from an external storage device, the SD card is not as heavily used as before. This reduces the likelihood of data loss and malfunctions.
- More storage space: external drives usually offer more storage space than SD cards. This allows more applications and data to be stored on the Raspberry Pi 3.
- Ease of use: it is relatively easy to boot the Raspberry Pi 3 from an external drive. However, it is advisable to read a proper guide or consult the help community beforehand.
There are many advantages to booting the Raspberry Pi 3 from an external drive. This can improve speed, increase storage capacity and improve reliability. However, it can also present some challenges and requires some knowledge in terms of installation and configuration. However, it is possible to get help from the community and resources on the Internet to assist you.
Recommended SDDs and USB sticks for the Raspberry Pi 3
The Raspberry Pi 3 is perfect for many different computing projects, and there are many options for running it. One of these options is to boot from a USB stick or SSD, which has many advantages.
If you choose to boot the Raspberry Pi 3 from a USB stick or SSD, make sure you use a high quality, fast and reliable SSD or USB stick. Here are some recommendations:
- Samsung T5 SSD: This SSD is fast, reliable and has a large capacity. It is also very small and lightweight, which makes it ideal for the Raspberry Pi 3.
- SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.0 Stick: This USB stick is fast and reliable. It has a capacity of up to 128 GB and is very robust.
- Kingston Digital DataTraveler Elite G2 USB 3.1 stick: This USB stick is fast and reliable. It has a capacity of up to 128 GB and is very durable.
There are of course many other options on the market, but these are some of the best and most reliable for the Raspberry Pi 3. If you are looking for a new USB stick or SSD, you should consider these options.
Frequently asked questions about booting the Raspberry Pi 3 from external storage
The Raspberry Pi 3 is a powerful single-board computer that supports a variety of operating systems. However, if you want to boot the system from external storage, you need to follow some special steps. Here are some of the common questions you may encounter when trying to boot your Raspberry Pi 3 from a USB stick or SSD:
- What storage capacity is required for external storage? The amount of storage you need depends on which operating system you want to run on your Raspberry Pi 3. Most operating systems require at least 16 GB of storage, while some like Windows 10 IoT can even require 32 GB.
- How do I format the external storage for use with the Raspberry Pi 3?? The memory must be formatted in FAT32 format to be recognized by the Raspberry Pi 3. You can use tools like Rufus or the Windows Disk Management utility to format the storage.
- What settings do I need to make to boot from external memory? In most cases, you will simply need to change the boot order in the Raspberry Pi 3 BIOS settings. Make sure the external storage is listed higher in the priority boot device list than the internal SD card.
- Can I boot my Raspberry Pi 3 from external storage if I already have an operating system installed on the internal SD card? In some cases yes. However, if you intend to use different operating systems on the Raspberry Pi 3, it’s better to use a separate SD card just for external boot.
By booting your Raspberry Pi 3 from external storage, you can improve computer performance and speed while extending the life of your internal SD card. If you follow some simple steps, you can easily make the transition to external storage.