An incredibly flexible gaming device, the Steam Deck offers a wide selection of titles.Click to see. It's contributed significantly to many of us having more time to play games. However, Valve ensured that the Steam Deck could function as a conventional PC as well. Therefore, you may install Windows on your Steam Deck. There are a few methods for doing this, but there are a few minor hazards.
Typically, the Linux-based SteamOS is used to operate the Steam Deck. For the primary function of the gadget, this functions flawlessly. However, Windows is what you need if you want to convert the Steam Deck into a legitimate mini-PC. However, Windows was not intended to be run on the Steam Deck. So, you should anticipate the occasional problem. However, all in all, the experience is quite seamless.
Windows Installation on the Steam Deck SSD
Let's start by discussing how to install Windows 10 on the SSD of the Steam Deck. A 32GB USB drive, a USB-C hub, and a suitable Windows PC are required. After completing the first few stages, you'll also need to connect a keyboard and mouse to the Steam Deck. We may begin as soon as you get them assembled.
Be advised that using this approach will cause the SSD in the Steam Deck to be wiped.First Step:
Proceed to download and install the Windows 10 media creation program onto your USB drive using your PC. Simply go over and download Windows 11 if you want to utilize it on your Steam Deck.
Step 2:
After fully shutting down the Steam Deck, attach the USB drive. The drive may be connected to the Steam Deck directly or with the use of a USB-C hub. Although it's not required, using a USB-C hub here is a smart idea if you have one.
Step 3:
Holding pressing the volume down button, press the Steam Deck's power button. This launches the boot manager for the Steam Deck. Just choose the USB disk that has the Windows 10 installation attached from this menu.
Step 4:
Following your selection of the installer, Windows will boot. Here, a keyboard and mouse are required to access some of these options. Just choose your preferred Windows version and click "Install Now." Choose "Custom: Install Windows Only" on the next screen, ignoring the other choices.
Step 5:
Partitions on the Steam Deck must then be deleted. Additionally, as this will erase the SSD, make sure you have a backup of anything you haven't uploaded to Steam Cloud. All you have to do is choose the largest available partition, and Windows will be installed on that one. The newly erased partition ought should appear as "Unallocated Space." Once you've chosen the location for Windows installation, the magic will start.
Step 6:
Eventually, Windows ought to start up to the well-known setup screen. From this point on, simply disregard setting up the internet and go through all the displays you encounter. Additionally, you may easily switch Windows' display orientation to landscape by going to settings, system, and display if it's locked in portrait mode.
Step 7:
Lastly, to improve the Windows operating system's performance, you'll need to install a few more drivers. Fortunately, Valve has included all the necessary links in a helpful community post. Simply download these drivers to a USB drive, insert the drive into the Steam Deck, and proceed with the installation. That means you have Windows installed on your Steam Deck.
Is it OK to put Windows on a Steam Deck?
Despite not being designed with Windows in mind, the Steam Deck performs remarkably well. You also have a lot more flexibility with Windows than you would with SteamOS, even with an imperfect experience. The main benefit is that you'll be able to play games that SteamOS doesn't currently support. However, there is a trade-off in that using Windows to play certain games could cause them to run less smoothly.
Picture courtesy of Valve
This is a method that ultimately has a lot of advantages and disadvantages. There is no denying that Windows has some awesome supplementary features. However, the Steam Deck was designed specifically with SteamOS in mind. Additionally, the SteamOS prioritizes being a game console above a PC. Thus, it may not be the greatest idea to install an OS that isn't compatible with the Steam Deck.
It is up to you to install Windows on the Steam Deck. And while it has its advantages, it's not entirely a good thing. However, the Steam Deck's extensive customization options make it difficult to resist the need to fiddle with such things.
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