UNRAID Has Changed! – 2026 Setup Guide with ZFS & NVMe

In this updated Unraid setup guide for 2026, I walk through building a modern, all-SSD NAS using Unraid with ZFS and NVMe storage. This tutorial covers the full Unraid installation process, USB boot requirements, licensing basics, and a practical storage layout that combines a traditional Unraid array with a high-performance NVMe ZFS RAID-Z pool. You’ll learn how to create users, configure secure network shares, and understand why this hybrid approach makes sense for modern NAS builds. Whether you’re upgrading an existing Unraid server or building a new solid-state NAS, this guide shows how Unraid is used today. Check Out My Original UNRAID Setup Video Here! - https://youtu.be/huCE4jtXOjQ Products Highlighted (Amazon Affiliate Links): Linkstation N1 - https://amzn.to/3ZW2jsd Linkstation N2 - https://amzn.to/3OscXEy TeamGroup 2.5" SSD - https://amzn.to/4rEuc41 TeamGroup Gen 3 NVME SSD - https://amzn.to/3O4pLAW 00:00 - Intro 01:15 - System Overview and Setup 03:03 - BOOT Process and Storage 05:08 - UNRAID Boot Media Creation 05:34 - First Boot 06:39 - Headless Access / Licensing 08:18 - Updating Unraid 08:54 - The Need for an Array 09:45 - Creating the Array 11:15 - Creating ZFS RAIDZ Pool 12:39 - System Resource Allocation 13:35 - Formatting Pools 13:49 - Creating a User 14:06 - Adding a Network Share 14:47 - Accessing the Share 15:21 - Share Management 16:14 - Testing the Network Share 17:44 - UNRAID Strengths & Weaknesses 19:56 - The Rising Cost of Solid State NAS 20:59 - Dive Deeper! Find me on Social Media Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/elevatedsystems X: https://x.com/elevatedsystem1 My Studio Equipment (Paid Links) Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro - https://amzn.to/3tA6ScP Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 - https://amzn.to/2VjqKSR Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ300 - https://amzn.to/2WJnxw6 Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens - https://amzn.to/3quDgM0 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens -https://amzn.to/3uv13Of Panasonic LUMIX G Lens, 25mm, F1.7 - https://amzn.to/3A9f9Vi Magnus REX VT-5000 2-Stage Tripod - https://amzn.to/3GxsGJH Neewer 72.4-Inch Camera Tripod - https://amzn.to/3fsRuqU SMALLRIG Parabolic Softbox - https://amzn.to/3Hyvbxt SmallRig RC 120D COB Light - https://amzn.to/3S9Grp4 Kshioe Softbox Lighting Kit - https://amzn.to/3A5vZEq Neewer Camera Slider Motorized - https://amzn.to/3ltX54e Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Mic - https://amzn.to/3fziRPv SAMSON Q2U Dynamic Microphone - https://amzn.to/3ikExBe Sennheiser XS Wireless Lavalier System - https://amzn.to/3ilSIpA PreSonus Eris E3.5 Studio Monitor - https://amzn.to/3CcVx4d Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB DAC - https://amzn.to/3ZmyOOO Gator Frameworks Deluxe Boom Stand - https://amzn.to/3fs7Os3 Glide Gear TMP100 Teleprompter - https://amzn.to/3CdgIDy GLEAM Microphone Stand - https://amzn.to/3A4dth5 Davinci Resolve 17 & Speed Editor - https://amzn.to/3fsECRG AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA - https://amzn.to/3CCH5nV Apple 2022 Mac Studio - https://amzn.to/3GXW6mS LG 40WP95C-W 40” 5K2K Display - https://amzn.to/3ZtiiN6 INNOCN 15.6" OLED Portable Monitor. - https://amzn.to/3jEOqgu BenQ ScreenBar Halo - https://amzn.to/3XpUZ52 Audio file(s) provided by Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.combeelink me pro