Windows 11 and Windows 10 also work on Steam Deck with official drivers from Vale. However, it’s not as simple as hitting the download button. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install Windows on the Steam Deck, on an internal Solid State Drive (SSD), and from a microSD card.
Windows isn’t perfect on the Steam Deck, but installing the operating system (or booting from it with a microSD card) can help turn the Steam Deck into a laptop replacement. We’ll show you how to do a full install on an SSD and how to boot Windows from a microSD card. The latter will keep the original SteamOS installation intact.
Before you begin, please note that Windows 11 is not technically compatible with Steam Deck. Windows 11 requires TPM and Steam Deck does not have it enabled. You can still install Windows 11 by following the instructions below, but you may not receive Windows updates.
Don’t you like going through all these steps? Why not try the Asus ROG Ally instead? It has native support for Windows 11 and is also faster.
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Boot from a microSD card or USB drive
Before installing Windows on the Steam Deck, I recommend first booting from a microSD card or USB drive. This is completely reversible, so you can test drive Windows without deleting anything on your Steam Deck. Windows isn’t perfect on the Steam Deck, and reinstalling SteamOS is a big task in itself.
I’m using a microSD card, but any UHS-1 microSD card (check the label) or USB 3.0 drive with at least 32GB of storage will work. Steam Deck is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the process is the same no matter what operating system you use. I am using Windows 10 here.
Step 1: Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. If you want to use Windows 11, download the Windows 11 Build Tool (sub Create Windows 11 installation media).
Step 2 – Download Rufus, which will allow you to create a bootable version of Windows on your microSD card or USB drive.
Step 3 – Download the Steam Deck drivers for Windows from Valve. Put them all together in one folder on a spare USB drive for later access.
Step 4: Open the Windows Media Creation Tool and select Create the installation media. On the next page, select iso fileand select a storage location on your computer. Wait for the process to complete and note where you saved the ISO.
Step 5 – Plug in your microSD card or USB drive and open Rufus. Note: If you continue here, all data on your microSD card/USB drive will be erased. In Rufus, select your microSD card or USB drive below Device. then choose choose near choose boots section. Navigate to your Windows ISO that you created earlier.
under, under image optionchoose windows to go. then choose MBR pod under division scheme. Rename the drive if you want and select it. Ready to start the flashing process.
Step 6: Once done, eject the microSD card and insert it into the Steam Deck. Turn Steam Deck off completely, then press and hold turn down the sound button when you turn it on. This will enter the boot manager.
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Step 7 – Select the SD card to start Windows. It will launch in portrait mode on the Steam Deck.
Windows doesn’t actually install here, so continue through the setup process as usual by choosing your language, keyboard layout, etc. Keyboard and mouse help a lot here, but you can only do settings using the touchscreen.
Step 8: Once in Windows, go to settings > System > Show and find screen orientation option. choose Landscape to rotate the screen to the proper orientation.
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Step 9: Finally, plug in the USB drive where you have stored the Windows drivers. Plug it in using a USB-C hub (not directly into the Steam Deck) and install the drivers.
That’s all. When you restart your Steam Deck, you’ll be back to SteamOS, but you can always start Windows as long as you go through the startup manager.
Do not confuse this process with dual booting. Steam Deck does not currently support dual booting, so you’ll need to choose Windows or SteamOS if you want a permanent solution.
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How to Install Windows on a Steam Deck SSD
If you just want Windows on the Steam Deck, you can install it directly to the SSD. You will need to erase all data on the SSD to do this, including your games, settings, and SteamOS. Valve promised a native dual-boot option with a future version of SteamOS 3, but that hasn’t arrived yet.
It is possible to restore SteamOS to the Steam Deck, but it is a bit tricky. If you just want to experiment with Windows, use the method above. If you’re willing to dive into the full experience and don’t mind wiping your data, go ahead.
Step 1: First you need to create a Windows installation drive. We’ve covered how to do this in our how to install Windows 11 guide, but the process is simple.
Download the Windows Media Creation Tool and create the installer on your USB drive. You’ll need a USB drive with at least 16 GB of storage, but the tool will guide you through the steps.
Step 2 – Power off Steam Deck completely and connect your USB drive to a USB hub. Although you can connect the drive directly, I highly recommend connecting it to a USB-C hub to avoid any issues. It’s also nice to install a keyboard and mouse, and a USB-C hub will allow you to connect those peripherals.
Step 3 – Turn on the Steam Deck while holding down turn down the sound button to enter the bootloader. Select your Windows installation USB drive to continue.
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Step 4: As before, Windows will start in portrait mode. Select the version of Windows you want, then select now install. I highly recommend connecting a keyboard and mouse here. You can install with a touch screen, but the Steam Deck’s keyboard and touchpads will not work.
After that, you will be asked to activate Windows. Enter a product key if you have one or select one I don’t have a product key continue.
Step 5: On the next screen select Custom: Install Windows only. You will need to remove the partitions on the Steam Deck to install Windows.
Important: This will remove all data on your Steam Deck, including your games, settings, and any saves/media not uploaded to the Steam Cloud. It is possible to restore SteamOS later, but you will need to reinstall all your games and reconfigure your settings.
Step 6 – Select the partition you want to delete and select Delete. I recommend choosing the largest of all the partitions you have. The 512 GB model, at least, comes with eight partitions.
Step 7 – Select the partition you deleted, which should show as Unallocated spaceand select Following. Windows will begin installing on the drive.
Step 8 – After some time and automatic reboot, it will load into normal Windows settings. Proceed as above, selecting a keyboard layout and language and skipping the Wi-Fi section.
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Step 9 – Windows is installed at this point, so all it takes is a little cleanup. Get underway settings > System > Show and transfer screen orientation to Landscape.
Take another USB drive with the Steam Deck Windows drivers on it and install those too. SteamOS is gone, so you’ll have to restore it if you want to go back.
How to recover SteamOS on Steam Deck
If you installed Windows on the Steam Deck SSD and want to go back, you can. Valve offers a Steam Deck recovery image that will restore SteamOS to its working state, as long as you’re okay with resetting the Steam Deck to factory settings.
Step 1 – To get started, download the SteamOS recovery image from Valve.
Step 2 – Download Rufus on a separate Windows PC and insert the USB drive. Burn the SteamOS recovery image to a USB drive and eject it from your computer.
Step 3 – Power off the Steam Deck completely and connect the USB drive via the USB-C hub. Wait turn down the sound while turning on the Steam Deck to enter the launch manager. There, select your USB drive (it should be “EFI USB Device”).
Step 4 – After some time, it will start the recovery environment. Here are several options that will try to save your data, but I recommend using them Reimage Steam Deck option.
If you’re coming from Windows, you’ll need to factory reset Steam Deck for it to work. try other options habit keep your games if you already have Windows installed, as they could lead to nasty file system conflicts.
Troubleshoot Windows on Steam Deck
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If you’re installing internally, make sure the partition you choose is formatted as NTFS. Otherwise, it may not be compatible with Windows.
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Some games will simply work better on Steam OS than on Windows, especially with workarounds. If you’re having issues with your game’s performance, it could be Windows – you might want to follow our steps to get back to SteamOS.
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Your games may need to be launched through Steam on Windows to use the Steam Deck control panel. There’s also a SWICD fix for non-Steam games, but it’s an extra step and customization process that you’ll need to find time for.
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Support for audio drivers may be limited. Using Windows 11 and its latest updates is the best way to ensure that you won’t have any sound issues.
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For frequent use of Windows on the Steam Deck, we recommend switching to a portable SSD instead of a microSD card
The Asus ROG Ally is a viable contender for the Steam Deck laptop throne. Not convinced? Check out our head-to-head comparisons of the two systems to see how the ROG Ally fares against the Steam Deck.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn