Windows 11and Windows 10 piece of work on theSteam Deckwith prescribed Vale drivers , too . It ’s not as simple as murder a download button , though . In this guidebook , we ’re go to show you how to instal Windows on the Steam Deck , both to the interior solid - state drive ( SSD ) and from a microSD card .
Windows is n’t double-dyed on the Steam Deck , but installing the OS ( or booting from it with a microSD placard ) can aid turn theSteam Deck into a laptop replacement . We ’re going to show you how to do a full instalment to the SSD , as well as how to boot to Windows from a microSD card . The latter will keep the original SteamOS install intact .
Before diving in , keep in mind that Windows 11 is n’t technically hold up on the Steam Deck . Windows 11 require TPM , and the Steam Deck does n’t have that enabled . you may still install Windows 11 with the pedagogy below , but you may not receive Windows update .
Do n’t fancy going through all these whole step ? Why not to attempt theAsus ROG Allyinstead . It has aboriginal Windows 11 supporting , and it ’s faster , too .
Boot from a microSD card or USB drive
Before really install Windows on the Steam Deck , I recommend you bring up from a microSD card or USB drive first . This is completely reversible , so you could try out Windows without erase anything on your Steam Deck . Windows is n’t perfect on the Steam Deck , and reinstalling SteamOS is a big job on its own .
I ’m using a microSD carte , but any UHS-1 microSD card ( check the label ) or USB 3.0 thrust with at least 32 GB of computer memory will work . The Steam Deck supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 , and the procedure is the same regardless of which OS you use . I ’m using Windows 10 here .
Step 1 : lead to Microsoft ’s website anddownload the Windows 10 medium creation creature . If you want to use Windows 11,download the Windows 11 existence tool(underCreate Windows 11 installation media ) .
Step 2 : DownloadRufus , which is what will allow you to make a bootable variant of Windows on your microSD poster or USB drive .
Step 3 : Download theSteam Deck Windows driversfrom Valve . ( compensate special attention to which version of the Steam Deck you have , as the Steam Deck organic light-emitting diode has dissimilar drivers than the LCD version . ) Put them all in a pamphlet together on a spare USB private road for access later .
Step 4 : give the Windows Media Creation Tool and selectCreate installing media . On the next page , chooseISO file , and choose a spot to store it on your personal computer . await until the process is done , and ensure to keep a note about where you stored the ISO .
Step 5 : plug away in your microSD notice or USB drive and open Rufus . Note : Continuing here will erase all data on your microSD card / USB driving . In Rufus , select your microSD card or USB drive underDevice . Then , chooseSelectnext to theBoot selectionsection . sail to your Windows ISO that you make earlier .
UnderImage option , selectWindows To Go . Then , chooseMBRunderPartition scheme . Rename the drive if you want , and selectReadyto set off the flash cognitive process .
dance step 6 : Once it ’s done , exhaust the microSD card and insert it in the Steam Deck . wrench off your Steam Deck completely , and then moderate down theVolume downbutton as your might it on . This will recruit the iron boot manager .
Step 7 : Select your Coyote State card to boot into Windows . It will boot in portrait mode on the Steam Deck .
Windows does n’t actually install here , so proceed through the setup cognitive operation as normal by take your language , keyboard layout , etc . A keyboard and mouse aid a mint here , but you may get through the setup with just the touchscreen .
Step 8 : Once you ’re in Windows , header toSettings > System > Displayand find theDisplay orientationoption . SelectLandscapeto flip the screen to the proper orientation .
Step 9 : Finally , secure in the USB drive that you hive away the Windows equipment driver on . secure it in using your USB - coulomb hub ( not directly into the Steam Deck ) and set up the drivers .
That ’s it . When you bring up your Steam Deck , it will go back to SteamOS , but you’re able to always boot into Windows provided you go through the iron heel manager .
Do n’t mix up this process with dual booting . The Steam Deck does n’t support twofold booting at the moment , so you ’ll need to choose either Windows or SteamOS if you want a lasting root .
How to install Windows on the Steam Deck’s SSD
If you want window only on the Steam Deck , you could install it instantly to the SSD . You ’ll need to erase all of the data on the SSD to do so , though , include your games , scene , and SteamOS itself . Valve has promised a aboriginal dual - booting option with a next SteamOS 3 release , but this has n’t get yet .
It ’s possible torestore SteamOS on the Steam Deck , but it ’s a bit of a hassle . If you just want to experiment with Windows , habituate the method acting above . If you ’re willing to plunk into the full experience and do n’t mind deleting your data point , keep on on .
Step 1 : To start out , you need to create a Windows facility effort . We delineate how to do that in our guide onhow to put in Windows 11 , but the procedure is straightforward .
Download theWindows media creation tooland create an installer on your USB private road . You ’ll need a USB effort with at least 16 GB of storage , but the creature will walk you through the steps otherwise .
Step 2 : superpower down your Steam Deck completely and link your USB drive with a USB hub . Although you’re able to connect the driving force direct , I strongly recommend connecting it with aUSB - hundred hubto nullify any issues . A keyboard and mouse are good for installation , too , and a USB - C hub will allow you to connect those peripheral equipment .
Step 3 : great power on the Steam Deck while holding theVolume downbutton to enrol the rush manager . Select your USB private road with the Windows installer to continue .
whole tone 4 : Like before , Windows will boot in portraiture mode . take the Windows version you want and then chooseInstall now . I highly recommend connecting a keyboard and mouse here . you could get through installation with the touchscreen , but the Steam Deck ’s keyboard and the touchpads wo n’t work .
You ’ll be take to activate Windows after . participate your product key if you have it , or chooseI do n’t have a product keyto continue .
Step 5 : On the following screen , chooseCustom : install Windows only . You ’ll take to delete partitions on the Steam Deck for install Windows .
Important : This will deleteallof the data on your Steam Deck , include your game , preferences , and any saves / medium that have n’t been uploaded to Steam Cloud . It ’s possible to bushel SteamOS afterwards , but you ’ll need to reinstall all of your games and reconfigure your preferences .
stair 6 : Choose a partition you want to delete and selectDelete . I recommend choosing the largest of how ever many partition you have . The 512 GB model , at least , come with eight partitions .
Step 7 : Choose the sectionalisation you deleted , which should show up asUnallocated space , and selectNext . Windows will begin installing on the thrust .
Step 8 : After a turn of time and an reflex reboot , you ’ll load into the normal Windows apparatus . go as you would above , pick out your keyboard layout , and words , and skip the Wi - Fi discussion section .
whole step 9 : Windows is install at this stage , so all you take is a bit of cleanup . Head toSettings > System > Displayand switchDisplay OrientationtoLandscape .
Grab another USB drive with the Windows drivers for Steam Deck , and install them as well . SteamOS is proceed now , so you ’ll need to restore it if you want to go back .
How to recover SteamOS on the Steam Deck
If you installed Windows on the Steam Deck ’s SSD and you need to go back , you’re able to . Valve offer up a Steam Deck recovery picture that will get SteamOS back in workings decree — provided you ’re OK with manufactory resetting your Steam Deck once again .
Step 1 : To set about , download theSteamOS recovery imagefrom Valve .
measure 2 : Download Rufuson a disjoined Windows personal computer and insert a USB drive . Write the SteamOS retrieval image to the USB effort and release it from your PC .
tone 3 : mogul down the Steam Deck whole and connect the USB drive using a USB - coke hub . Hold theVolume downbutton while powering on the Steam Deck to enter the boot manager . Select your USB ride from there ( it should be " EFI USB machine " ) .
Step 4 : After some time , you will boot into the retrieval environment . There are a few options here that will essay to preserve your datum , but I recommend using theRe - image Steam Deckoption .
If you ’re add up from Windows , you ’ll need to factory reset the Steam Deck to get it work out . undertake the other optionswon’tkeep your biz if you ’ve already installed Windows , and they could guide to some awful data file system conflicts .
Troubleshooting Windows on Steam Deck
If you are establish internally , check that that the partition you opt is format as NTFS . Otherwise , it may not be compatible with Windows .
Some game will just run better in Steam OS than they will in Windows , specially with workaround method acting . If you are running into operation proceeds with your biz , it could be Windows : You may want to apply our steps to revert to SteamOS .
Your games may call for to be boot through Steam on Windows to utilise the Steam Deck ascendence tablet . There isalso the SWICD workaroundfor games that are n’t on Steam , but that ’s an extra whole step and customization unconscious process you ’ll have to make time for .
Compatibility with audio drivers may be limited . Using Windows 11 and its belated updates is the beneficial way to ensure you do n’t hunt into audio issue .
For frequent Windows use on the Steam Deck , we highly urge flip to a portable SSD rather of a microSD identity card
Frequently asked questions
Can Steam Decks run .exe files?
Yes , if you have Windows installed on a Steam Deck , you should be able to run .exe file on it .
Can Steam Decks run all Windows games?
Steam Decks can run Windows games but not of necessity all Windows games . Just as not all Windows computers can run Windows , your Steam deck may not be powerful enough for each Windows game that comes out . Be indisputable to check system requirements and any other compatibility issues . When in doubt , ask the game ’s community of interests members if they have had any luck run away the game on a Steam Deck .
What OS does the Steam Deck use?
The Steam Deck uses SteamOS . If you do n’t like SteamOS , you’re able to install Windows on your Steam Deck or else , via the directions detail above .
The Asus ROG Ally is a executable contender to the Steam Deck ’s portable PC commode . Not convinced ? arrest out our head to head of these two system to see how theROG Ally versus Steam Deckgoes down .
