Posts in  How to Install Windows 10 IoT on Raspberry Pi for Students

Because even a Raspberry Pi deserves a Windows upgrade!

If you’ve got a classroom full of curious minds and a stack of Raspberry Pis looking bored, it’s time to spice things up with Windows 10 IoT Core—the sleek, stripped-down Windows made for devices, sensors, and smart classroom science fair glory. 

Don’t worry, this isn’t like installing Windows 98 with 23 floppy disks. It’s student-friendly, pretty smooth, and way more rewarding than trying to install Minecraft mods during school hours.

 Wait, What Is Windows 10 IoT Core Again?

In short: it’s a tiny version of Windows 10, made specifically for small devices like Raspberry Pi. It’s great for learning:

  • IoT programming
  • Sensor integration
  • Real-time data collection
  • And yes… making lights blink (a rite of passage for every tech nerd )

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What You’ll Need Before We Begin

Here’s your digital grocery list:

   A Windows 10 or 11 PC
  A Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 (Model B preferred)
  A MicroSD Card (16GB+ recommended)
  Power Supply for the Pi
  A Wi-Fi connection
 Basic computer skills and a sprinkle of patience

Bonus Points: A student who loves pushing buttons and yelling “It’s alive!”

 Step-by-Step: How to Install Windows 10 IoT Core on Raspberry Pi

Step 1: Download the Windows 10 IoT Core Dashboard

This free tool from Microsoft is your command center.

 Get it from the official Microsoft site or the Microsoft Store.

Once installed, open it. You’ll see a “Set up a new device” option. That’s our ticket.

Step 2: Insert the SD Card & Choose Your Pi

  • Plug your MicroSD into your PC
  • In the IoT Dashboard:
    • Select Device Type: Raspberry Pi 2 & 3
    • Select OS Build: Latest
    • Give your device a name like “SmartPi” or “AgentPi”
    • Set an admin password (don’t forget it or your students will become hackers)

Click Download & Install. Grab a snack. This will take a few minutes.

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Step 3: Insert the Card into the Pi & Boot Up!

Take the SD card, pop it into your Raspberry Pi, and plug it in. You’ll see a shiny Windows logo and setup wizard on your monitor (connected via HDMI).

Your Pi is officially a Windows device!

Step 4: Connect to Wi-Fi & Explore

Use the initial setup wizard to:

  • Connect to Wi-Fi
  • Log in
  • Enable Windows Device Portal (this lets you control the Pi from any browser!)

You now have a fully functional IoT device running Windows. High-five your nearest student.

 What Can Students Build with This Setup?

 Smart classroom devices (e.g., motion sensors that count students)
Temperature/humidity dashboards
Basic robots with GPIO pin control
  Plant watering systems (that finally stop killing the basil)

Pro Tips for Educators

  • Let students personalize their Pi names (you’ll get names like “Pi-nocchio” and “Sir Blinks-a-Lot”)
  •  Use Visual Studio for coding UWP apps in C#
  •  Pair with cloud platforms like Azure IoT Hub or ThingSpeak
  •  Document everything! Great for science fair boards

 Real-World Learning Outcomes

  • Programming basics with C#/Python
  • Data collection with sensors
  • Device networking (aka “what’s my Pi’s IP again?”)
  • Critical thinking when stuff doesn’t work (which is often… and valuable)

Final Thoughts: STEM Just Got Cooler

Installing Windows 10 IoT Core on Raspberry Pi opens up a whole new world for students—from robotics and automation to environmental monitoring and beyond. It’s not just learning tech—it’s using tech to learn real-world problem-solving.

So get ready to boot up, plug in, and watch your students light up—literally and figuratively. 

Need help picking sensors or planning your first student project? I can help with that too—just ask!

robo