The Steam Deck is a powerful handheld gaming PC that can play a wide variety of games, including Windows games. However, Windows is not installed on the Steam Deck by default. If you want to install Windows on your Steam Deck, you will need to follow these steps. Moreover, installing Windows on your Steam Deck will allow you to play a wider variety of games, including games that are not available on the Steam Deck’s default operating system, SteamOS.
First, you will need to create a bootable USB drive. You can do this using a tool like Rufus. Once you have created a bootable USB drive, you will need to insert it into the Steam Deck and power on the device. The Steam Deck will boot from the USB drive and begin the Windows installation process. You will need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Prepping Your Steam Deck
Before you dive into the installation process, there are a few essential steps you need to take to prepare your Steam Deck. These steps will ensure that the installation goes smoothly and that you have a positive experience with Windows on your Steam Deck.
**1. Back Up Your Data**
This is the most crucial step in the preparation process. Windows installation will wipe your Steam Deck’s internal storage, so it’s vital to back up any important data you have stored on the device. This includes your game saves, personal files, and any other valuable information. You can back up your data to a microSD card, external hard drive, or cloud storage service.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to back up your Steam Deck:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| microSD Card | Insert a microSD card into your Steam Deck. Navigate to “Settings” > “System” > “Storage” > “Format microSD Card.” Once formatted, select the games and apps you want to back up and choose “Copy to microSD Card.” |
| External Hard Drive | Connect an external hard drive to your Steam Deck via a USB-C hub or adapter. Navigate to “Settings” > “System” > “Storage” > “Format External Drive.” Once formatted, follow the same steps as backing up to a microSD card. |
| Cloud Storage | Subscribe to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Install the corresponding app on your Steam Deck and configure your backup settings to automatically upload important files to the cloud. |
Remember to verify that your backup is complete and successful before proceeding with the Windows installation.
Acquiring Windows Installation Media
To begin the Windows installation process, you will need to acquire the Windows 10 or Windows 11 ISO (disc image) installation media. There are two primary ways to do this:
Using the Windows Media Creation Tool:
Step 1: Visit the Microsoft website and download the Windows Media Creation Tool.
Step 2: Run the tool and select “Create installation media for another PC.”
Step 3: Choose the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) of Windows you want to install.
Step 4: Select the USB flash drive or DVD you want to use as the installation media.
Step 5: The tool will download the necessary files and create the bootable installation media.
Downloading the ISO File Directly:
Step 1: Visit the Microsoft website and select the “Download Windows 10” or “Download Windows 11” option.
Step 2: On the download page, choose either the 64-bit or 32-bit ISO file.
Step 3: Save the ISO file to a convenient location on your computer.
Note: The ISO file is a large file (approximately 5GB), so be patient during the download process.
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Media Creation Tool | – Automated process – No need to download the ISO file manually | – Requires an internet connection – May not work with custom Windows versions |
| Direct ISO Download | – Manual process – Flexibility to choose specific Windows versions | – Requires downloading the large ISO file – Potential for corrupted downloads |
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Preparation
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of free space
- The Windows 10 or 11 ISO file downloaded from Microsoft’s website
- Rufus or another utility for creating bootable drives
Steps
-
Format the USB drive as FAT32 using any disk management tool.
-
Launch Rufus and select the ISO file and USB drive from the drop-down menus.
| Option | Setting |
|---|---|
| Boot Selection | Select the Windows ISO file you downloaded |
| Partition Scheme | GPT |
| Target System | UEFI (non-CSM) |
| File System | FAT32 |
-
[Detailed Breakdown: Partitioning the Disk]
Rufus provides several partitioning options for the bootable drive. The most appropriate choice for Steam Deck is GPT, which supports UEFI boot. Configure the following settings:
- Partition Scheme: Select "GPT" to create a GUID Partition Table.
- Target System: Choose "UEFI (non-CSM)" to enable UEFI boot, the protocol used by modern computers, including the Steam Deck.
- File System: Format the drive as "FAT32" to ensure compatibility with both UEFI and BIOS boot modes.
Once you have made these selections, click "Start" to create the bootable USB drive.
Configuring BIOS Settings
To begin configuring the BIOS settings, restart your Steam Deck and press the “Boot Options” button during startup. This will bring up the BIOS menu.
Navigate to the “Security” tab and disable all security features, such as Secure Boot and TPM. These features can prevent you from installing Windows.
Configuring Boot Order
Next, navigate to the “Boot” tab and configure the boot order to prioritize booting from the USB drive containing the Windows installation media. To do this, use the arrow keys to move the USB drive to the top of the list.
Enabling Legacy Boot Mode
In some cases, you may need to enable legacy boot mode in the BIOS settings in order to install Windows on the Steam Deck. Here are detailed instructions on how to do this:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Locate the “CSM” or “Legacy Support” option in the BIOS settings. |
| 2 | Enable the CSM or Legacy Support option. |
| 3 | Save the BIOS settings and reboot the Steam Deck. |
Initiating the Windows Installation Process
To begin the installation process, you’ll need a few essential components:
- A Steam Deck
- A 16GB or larger USB-C drive
- A Windows 10/11 ISO file
- Rufus, a utility for creating bootable USB drives
- A keyboard and mouse (optional)
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Now, here’s a step-by-step guide on creating a bootable USB drive:
- Download Rufus and install it on your computer.
- Insert the USB-C drive into your computer.
- Launch Rufus and select the USB drive as the device.
- Click “SELECT” and browse to the Windows ISO file you downloaded.
- Ensure that the “Partition scheme” is set to “GPT,” the “Target system” to “UEFI (non-CSM)” and the “File system” to “NTFS.” Click “START” once ready.
- Rufus will format the USB drive and create the bootable Windows installation media.
Formatting the Internal Drive
To prepare your Steam Deck’s internal drive for Windows installation, you need to format it. Here’s a detailed guide:
1. Create a Bootable USB Drive
Create a bootable USB drive with the Windows installation media. You can use Rufus or another tool to create the bootable drive.
2. Boot from the USB Drive
With the bootable USB drive inserted, power on your Steam Deck while holding down the Volume Down button. This will boot into the USB drive.
3. Select the Drive to Format
Once you’re in the Windows installation wizard, select the Steam Deck’s internal drive as the drive to format.
4. Select the File System
For optimal performance, it’s recommended to format the drive as NTFS. NTFS offers better file organization and performance over exFAT or FAT32.
5. Format the Drive
Click on the “Format” button to start formatting the internal drive. This process will erase all data on the drive, so make sure you have backed up any important files.
6. Partition the Drive (Optional)
After formatting, you can optionally partition the drive to create separate partitions for Windows and other operating systems or data. To do this:
- Click on the “Diskpart” link in the bottom-left corner of the Windows installation wizard.
- In the Diskpart console, type the following commands:
list diskselect disk x(where “x” is the number assigned to the Steam Deck’s internal drive)create partition primary size=SIZE(where “SIZE” is the desired partition size in GB or MB)format fs=ntfs quick- Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional partitions if desired.
- Type “exit” to close the Diskpart console and return to the Windows installation wizard.
| Diskpart Command | Description |
|---|---|
list disk |
Lists all detected disks |
select disk x |
Selects the Steam Deck’s internal drive |
create partition primary size=SIZE |
Creates a primary partition with the specified size |
format fs=ntfs quick |
Formats the partition as NTFS with quick formatting |
Proceed with Windows Installation
Now that everything is prepared, we can proceed with the Windows installation on your Steam Deck. Follow these steps to complete the process:
1. Boot from USB
Insert the USB drive containing the Windows ISO into your Steam Deck and restart the device. Immediately press and hold the Volume + button while it boots to access the boot menu.
2. Select USB Drive
Use the volume buttons to navigate the boot menu, select the USB drive you inserted, and press the Power button to boot from it.
3. Language and Region Settings
After the Windows Setup screen appears, select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout. Then click “Next”.
4. Install Windows
Click “Install Now” to begin the Windows installation process. Agree to the license terms and select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.
5. Select Partition Drive
On the next screen, you will see the available partitions. Select the partition that you created earlier for Windows and click “Format”. Then, click “Next” to start the installation.
6. Install Windows
The Windows installation will now begin. This process can take some time, so be patient. Once the installation is complete, your Steam Deck will restart and boot into Windows.
7. Device Drivers
After Windows boots up, you will need to install device drivers to ensure that your Steam Deck’s hardware works properly. Visit the Steam Deck Wiki for a comprehensive list of available drivers.
Selecting Language and Time Zone
After choosing the appropriate Windows image, you’ll be prompted to select the language, time zone, and keyboard layout. Here’s a detailed breakdown of this stage:
Language Selection
Choose your preferred display language from the drop-down menu. This will determine the language used in Windows’ interface, menus, and applications.
Time Zone Selection
Select your current time zone from the provided map or list. This ensures that your system clock accurately displays the correct time.
Keyboard Layout
Choose the keyboard layout that corresponds to your physical keyboard. If you’re using an external keyboard, make sure its layout matches the one you select here.
Date and Time Format
Optionally, you can customize the date and time formats displayed in Windows. Click on the “Custom” button and make changes as desired.
Additional Settings
By clicking on the “Advanced options” link, you can access additional settings such as:
- Regional settings (e.g., number and currency formats)
- Language preferences (e.g., secondary language)
- Input method settings (e.g., handwriting recognition)
Next Button
Once you’ve made your selections, click on the “Next” button to proceed to the next step of the installation process.
Configuring User Account
After setting up Windows, you’ll need to configure your user account. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Create a Local Account
Click on “Create a local user account” and enter a username and password.
2. Set Up Privacy Settings
Customize your privacy settings to determine how Windows collects and uses your data.
3. Configure Cortana
Decide whether you want to enable Cortana, the Windows digital assistant, and personalize her responses.
4. Link Your Microsoft Account (Optional)
If desired, link your Microsoft account to access Windows Store apps and sync your settings across devices.
5. Set Up Default Apps
Specify which apps you want to use by default for various tasks, such as web browsing and email.
6. Create a Pin or Password for Login
Choose a PIN or password to protect your user account and data.
7. Enable Windows Hello (Optional)
If available on your Steam Deck, set up Windows Hello for faster and more secure login using facial recognition or a fingerprint.
8. Install Additional Software
Install any additional software programs you need, such as antivirus protection, productivity tools, or games.
9. Customize User Interface
Personalize your user interface by changing the desktop background, taskbar settings, and other visual elements to your liking.
Customizing Windows Settings
Once Windows is up and running on your Steam Deck, you’ll want to customize the settings to your liking. Here’s how to do it:
1. Display Settings
Adjust the screen resolution, refresh rate, and scaling options to suit your preferences.
2. Power & Battery
Optimize battery life by adjusting power settings, such as screen brightness and Sleep mode.
3. Sound
Configure your audio settings, including volume levels, sound effects, and input/output devices.
4. Bluetooth
Pair and connect Bluetooth devices, such as controllers, headphones, and speakers.
5. Network & Internet
Set up Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, as well as manage your network settings.
6. Personalization
Customize the appearance of your desktop, including themes, colors, and wallpaper.
7. Accounts
Manage your Microsoft account, add other users, and set up password protection.
8. Time & Language
Set the correct time zone, language, and date format.
9. Privacy
Control how Windows collects and uses your personal data.
10. Advanced System Settings
Access advanced system settings, including hardware configuration, performance options, and recovery tools.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Device Manager | Manage hardware devices and drivers. |
| System Information | Display detailed information about your system’s hardware and software. |
| Performance Monitor | Monitor system performance and identify potential issues. |
| System Restore | Create restore points and revert your system to a previous state. |
| Windows Update | Check for and install system updates. |
How To Install Windows On Steam Deck
Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC released by Valve in 2022. It comes pre-installed with SteamOS, a custom Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. However, it is possible to install Windows on the Steam Deck, which can give you access to a wider range of games and applications. Here are the steps on how to install Windows on Steam Deck:
1.
Download the Windows 10 or 11 ISO file from the Microsoft website.
2.
Create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus.
3.
Power off the Steam Deck and insert the bootable USB drive.
4.
Power on the Steam Deck and hold down the volume down button. This will open the BIOS menu.
5.
In the BIOS menu, navigate to the Boot tab and select the USB drive as the first boot device.
6.
Save your changes and exit the BIOS menu. The Steam Deck will now boot from the USB drive.
7.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. Once the installation is complete, you will need to install the Steam Deck drivers.
People Also Ask
Can you install Windows on Steam Deck?
Yes, it is possible to install Windows on the Steam Deck. However, it is important to note that this will void your warranty and may cause problems with the device.
What are the benefits of installing Windows on Steam Deck?
Installing Windows on Steam Deck can give you access to a wider range of games and applications. It can also allow you to use the Steam Deck as a more general-purpose computer.
What are the risks of installing Windows on Steam Deck?
Installing Windows on Steam Deck can void your warranty and may cause problems with the device. It is important to make sure that you are aware of the risks before proceeding.
