How long does NAS initial setup take?

Initial hardware setup (installing drives, connecting to the router) takes 15-30 minutes. The DSM operating system installation and initial configuration wizard takes another 20-30 minutes. Total first-time setup is typically under one hour. After setup, the NAS creates storage pools and volumes which may take additional time depending on drive size.

Do I need to format hard drives before putting them in a NAS?

No. The NAS operating system (DSM for Synology, QTS for QNAP) formats and partitions the drives during the initial setup process. Installing new, unformatted drives is the correct procedure. If you are reusing drives that have existing data, the setup will erase that data — back it up before installing.

What is the admin password for a new Synology NAS?

New Synology NAS devices have no default admin password — you create the admin account and password during the initial DSM setup wizard. If you need to reset the admin credentials on an existing device, use the physical reset button on the NAS (hold for 4 seconds) to reset the network settings and admin account to factory defaults without erasing data.

How to Set Up a NAS: First-Time Installation and Configuration Guide

Set up a NAS by installing hard drives, connecting to your router, running the initial setup wizard, and configuring shared folders and user accounts. This guide covers Synology DSM initial setup.

A NAS out of the box looks intimidating: bare drive trays, a blinking status light, and no screen to tell you what's happening.

The actual process is far less technical than it looks.

From unboxing to a working shared folder is typically under an hour, most of which is just waiting for drives to initialize.

Here is the full process for a Synology DiskStation, the same general steps apply if you're setting up a QNAP.

Step 1: Install the Hard Drives

Slide out the drive trays (no screwdriver needed on most Synology models)
Secure the hard drive in the tray using the included screws — typically 4 screws on the bottom and sides
Slide the tray back into the bay until it clicks

For a 2-bay NAS with RAID 1: install both drives. For a 4-bay with expansion room: install 2 drives to start; you can add more later.

Step 2: Connect to Your Router

Connect the NAS to your router with the included Ethernet cable. Use a wired connection — wireless is not recommended for a NAS because transfer speeds are lower and the connection is less reliable. Plug in the power adapter and press the power button.

Wait 2-3 minutes for the NAS to complete its startup sequence. The status LEDs indicate ready state.

Step 3: Find the NAS on Your Network

From a computer on the same network, go to find.synology.com (for Synology) in a web browser. The browser-based setup tool will find the NAS on your network and guide you through installation.

Alternatively, use the Synology Assistant desktop application, which scans the network and opens the setup interface.

Step 4: Install DSM

The DSM installation wizard guides you through:

Creating an admin account with a strong password
Configuring the storage pool and volume
Choosing RAID level (SHR recommended for home users)
Creating the initial shared folders

Step 5: Set a Static IP

Before creating any network drive mappings on your computers, assign the NAS a static IP in Control Panel > Network. See NAS Not Accessible Fix for why this prevents future connection problems.

Step 6: Create Shared Folders and Users

In DSM Control Panel > Shared Folder: create folders for each major category (Photos, Videos, Backups, Documents). Set permissions per user account.

NAS Buying Guide - drive and RAID selection
NAS Not Accessible Fix - connection troubleshooting
Synology vs QNAP - platform comparison