The Raspberry Pi Desktop for ordinary PCs is back after almost four years, and it now runs on Debian 13 “Trixie.” If you have an old laptop gathering dust, it’s a free way to get a clean, light desktop on it.
It boots from a USB stick, so you can try it before you change anything on your drive. Here’s what’s new, which machines it supports, and what to watch out for.
Here are the facts worth knowing before you download anything:
- It’s built on Debian 13 “Trixie” with the Linux 6.12 LTS kernel.
- It’s 64-bit only, so very old 32-bit-only machines are out.
- It runs on standard PCs and most Intel-based Macs, but not Apple Silicon Macs.
- The download is a roughly 2.6 GB ISO that works as a live USB or a full install.
That last point matters most: you can test the whole thing without committing.
What Raspberry Pi Desktop for PC actually is
It’s the same desktop that ships on Raspberry Pi boards, packaged as an x86 build for regular computers. The last PC edition came out in July 2022 on Debian 11 “Bullseye,” so this is a big jump.
According to Born’s Tech and Windows World, the release landed on 6 October 2026. The official download page lists an ISO dated 13 October, so you’ll likely see the newer build.
What changed in the new Raspberry Pi Desktop
The desktop has had a visual and technical refresh. Wayland replaces the old lxpanel bar, and there’s a new dock you can move, recolor, resize and set to auto-hide.
The control center has been revised too, and the look still follows the familiar LXDE style. It should feel light even on tired hardware.
There’s also built-in Raspberry Pi Connect. It gives you remote screen sharing and a browser-based terminal without port forwarding, which is handy if the old PC ends up as a little home server.
One small quirk: because PCs lack the hardware ID that Pi boards have, you type in a device name during first setup.
Will Raspberry Pi Desktop run on your old computer?
Most likely, as long as it’s 64-bit. Reports say it runs on PCs from roughly the last 15 years. The download page doesn’t list minimum RAM or storage, so treat 4 GB of memory as a comfortable rule of thumb rather than an official number.
This table shows what’s supported based on the published details:
| Your machine | Supported? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 64-bit PC or laptop | Yes | Runs from a live USB or installs to a drive. |
| Intel-based Mac | Most models | Check your exact model before wiping anything. |
| Apple Silicon Mac (M1 and later) | No | This build is amd64 only. |
| 32-bit-only PC | No | Existing 32-bit installs can’t upgrade; a clean 64-bit install is required. |
If your hardware is borderline, the live USB is the safest test. You’ll know in a few minutes whether Wi-Fi, sound and graphics work.
How to try it without wiping your drive
The ISO works two ways. Run it live from USB with optional persistence, which includes a reset function, or install it permanently with the Calamares installer.
A sensible order looks like this:
- Download the amd64 ISO from the official Raspberry Pi site and check its SHA256 checksum.
- Write it to a USB stick with any USB-writing tool.
- Boot the old machine from the stick and test Wi-Fi, display and trackpad.
- Back up your files, then run the installer only if everything works.
Skipping the backup is the one mistake that turns a fun weekend into a bad one.
The catches before you switch
Some programs aren’t included in the image for licensing reasons, so expect to install a few things yourself. Windows apps won’t run natively either, so check that your must-have tools have Linux versions.
The bundled Wolfram software is for non-commercial use only. If you work with it professionally, read the license first.
It also helps to know your alternatives. Our guide to Windows 11 24H2 end of support covers the Windows side of the upgrade question. And if you like newer kernels, see what’s coming in Linux 7.3, since this release sticks with the 6.12 LTS line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raspberry Pi Desktop free?
Yes, the ISO is a free download from raspberrypi.com. Some bundled extras, like Wolfram, carry non-commercial license terms.
Can I run it on a 32-bit computer?
No. This release is 64-bit only. Old 32-bit installs can’t be upgraded in place.
Does it work on a Mac?
It works on most Intel-based Macs. Apple Silicon Macs aren’t supported.
Will I lose my files if I try it?
Not if you only boot the live USB. Installing to a drive erases what’s on it unless you set up dual boot yourself, so back up first.
Our take: worth a USB stick this weekend
If you’ve got a 64-bit laptop that Windows has left behind, Raspberry Pi Desktop is an easy, low-risk test. Try it live first, keep your backup handy, and install only if the hardware behaves. If you rely on Windows-only software, keep your main machine as it is and use this one for browsing, writing and tinkering.
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