Discover the best way of how to install Windows on Steam Deck. Our website provides detailed tutorials and expert advice for a setup process. The Steam Deck is fueled by SteamOS, but you’ll be able install Windows on it with the correct establishment media.
The Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED come pre-installed with SteamOS, which may be a lightweight Linux-based working framework created by Valve that lets you run recreations natively through Steam. But if you’re not a fan of the OS and need your handheld to be like other Windows-based Steam Deck competitors, such as the ROG Partner or the Lenovo Army Go, you’ll be able to introduce the Microsoft working framework to create it near to a full-blown PC.
With all of that said, it’s worth noticing some things you take on this now and then complicated preparation. On the off chance that you truly need to utilize Windows on a gaming handheld, we recommend taking a look at competitors that are made to utilize Windows, to begin with place.
What you would like to know some time recently getting started
While Windows on the Steam Deck is bolstered (Valve indeed gives a few of the desired drivers for the Windows on Steam Deck encounter), it’s not secured by Valve’s back group if you run into issues. It’s moreover generally a complicated preparation, which is why we do not prescribe running Windows 11 on the Steam Deck unless you’re an enthusiast or an individual with the ability to introduce Windows on PCs.
There are moreover three ways to introduce Windows on the Steam Deck. For most individuals, the primary and least demanding way is to install it through a microSD card and dual boot it from there without affecting your fundamental SteamOS install. You’ll be able to shrink your SteamOS SSD segment and introduce Windows nearby SteamOS to dual-boot them. At long last, you’ll be able to delete your SSD and introduce Windows 11 input of SteamOS.
Some other things include:
- You do not have to supplant SteamOS with Windows, you’ll be able to dual-boot both working frameworks
- You’ll need to buy a Windows license
- You are required to get to a Windows PC
- You’ll download and utilize Rufus on an essential Windows PC
- To dual-boot Windows off an SD card, you’ll need a microSD card. We incline toward a measure that’s 32GB or greater. 512GB is perfect to have space for games
- If your PC doesn’t have a microSD card space, you’ll purchase a USB-A to microSD card reader
- If you need to replace SteamOS with Windows, you’ll require an isolated USB drive greater than 16GB to introduce Windows from
You might need to consider a USB-C docking station with two USB-A ports so you’ll utilize a wired console and mouse amid setup.
Double boot Windows 11 and SteamOS on your Steam Deck with a microSD card
We need to begin the method of introducing Windows 11 on the Steam Deck with the strategy most individuals will be comfortable with. We’ll be dual-booting Windows 11 and SteamOS by introducing Windows remotely on a microSD card. Once more, this brings execution stresses, but it could be a great way to undertake Windows on the Steam Deck sometime recently you commit yourself to introduce it on your primary system.
Step1: Download Windows 11
In this to begin with a step, you’ll be downloading Windows 11. You’ll get the establishment record from Microsoft, save it as an ISO, and after that stack it into a microSD card space afterward on.
- Visit Microsoft’s Windows 11 downloads page.
- Choose the Make Windows 11 establishment Media choice and press Download Now.
- Launch the Media Creation Instrument and acknowledge the terms.
- Choose a Version and Dialect of Windows.
- Choose the ISO record option.
- Save the ISO file to a put you’d discover it easily, like the desktop.
- Allow the installer to download Windows 11 and make the ISO file. This handle might take up to 30 minutes depending on your web speed.
- Click Finish when done.
Step 2: Introduce Windows on your SD Card
Next, you will be introducing Windows on your SD card. This includes using Rufus. It’s an extremely clear process.
- Download the most recent form of Rufus.
- Insert your microSD card into your PC or the microSD card reader.
- Launch the Rufus record and run it.
- Under the Boot choice tab, select the Select button and stack the Windows ISO record you downloaded earlier.
- Under Picture Alternative select Windows To Go.
- Under Volume Name, title your SD card something like Steam Deck SD card.
- Press Start.
- Choose your Windows edition.
- Enable all four options recorded there. On the off chance that you need to utilize a Microsoft Account, you’ll be able to keep the moment box unchecked.
- Click Alright to start the establishment process.
Step 3: Download the Steam Deck Drivers
While you hold up, you’ll be required to introduce a few drivers for your Steam Deck for things to work properly. Windows doesn’t have local drivers for the Wi-Fi, Sound, and other basic parts of your Steam Deck.
- Head to Valve’s site and download each of the drivers on an essential PC.
- You’ll require all the drivers listed here.
Once all these drivers are downloaded, right-click on each of the downloaded records one by one. - Choose Extricate All, at that point Browse, and at that point select Desktop.
- Once each of the records is extricated. Go to your desktop.
- Right-click and select Unused Organizer and make an envelope called Steam Deck Drivers.
- Copy all the extricated organizers from earlier and glue them into the Steam Deck Drivers folder.
- Go back to the desktop, select the Steam Deck Drivers organizer, and duplicate it.
- Open a Record Pioneer window, press This PC, within the sidebar, and double-click on the symbol to select the microSD card you created earlier.
- Paste the Steam Deck Drivers organizer and wait.
Step 4: Boot from the SD card with Windows on your Steam Deck
In this step, we’ll boot from the SD card that has Windows on it and continue with the installation.
- Hold down the volume down button and control button on your Steam Deck until the Steam boot screen appears.
- You’ll be taken to the Steam Deck Boot Chief.
- SteamOS fuels the Steam Deck, but you’ll install Windows on it with the correct establishment media.
The Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED come pre-installed with SteamOS, which could be a lightweight Linux-based working framework created by Valve that lets you run recreations natively through Steam. But if you’re not a fan of the OS and need your handheld to be like other Windows-based Steam Deck competitors, such as the ROG Partner or the Lenovo Army Go, you’ll introduce the Microsoft working framework to create it near to a full-blown PC.
With all of that said, it’s worth noticing a couple of things sometime recently you take on this some of the time complicated handle. In case you truly need to utilize Windows on a gaming handheld, we recommend taking a see at competitors that are made to utilize Windows to begin with place.