Steam Deck Gains Windows 11 Support And Keyboard Improvements Via Latest Updates

Valve has rolled out software updates for the Steam Deck on the stable and beta channels. The latest update offers new features and addresses some bugs as well.

The gaming firm had unveiled the Steam Deck, its portable gaming console, last year. The device is the company’s answer to Nintendo’s handheld gaming console—the Switch. The Valve Steam Deck comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display and is powered by an AMD processor.

Steam Deck Gets Beta Update

Most importantly, the beta firmware has incorporated fTPM support, which will allow users to install Windows 11 on the device. Besides, the update offers various features such as a message notifying the user when a charger that doesn’t meet the minimum bar is plugged into the device.  

You can get the beta update by navigating to Settings > System on your Steam Deck, and select Beta from the OS Update Channel. Do note that it is still in beta, so update at your own risk.  

Here’s the complete changelog of the beta update:

• Added messaging when a charger that doesn’t meet the minimum bar is plugged in.
• Added uncapped framerate setting in Quick Access menu > Performance.
• Added fTPM support, enabling Windows 11 installation.
• Added button combo: hold “…” + “Volume Down” to reset PD contract in the cases where Steam Deck gets stuck due to an incompatible Type-C device.
• Updated power LED to dim a few seconds after power supply connection events for better experience in dark environments.
• Improved compatibility for a number of Type-C docks and PSUs.
• Improved battery life in idle or very low usage scenarios.
• Improved stability.
• Fixed issues where the touchscreen does not work after some boots.
• Fixed compatibility with some SD cards specifically when used as boot devices.
• Fixed ACPI error spew in the kernel.

Steam Deck Gains Stable Update

Additionally, Valve has releases two updates in the stable channel. Notably, the update has added support for dual trackpad typing to onscreen keyboard. Let’s check out the detailed changelog:

• Added dual trackpad typing support to onscreen keyboard.
• Added game mode onscreen keyboard to Desktop mode.
• Added Family Sharing status to game details page. Borrowers will see whose library they are borrowing from, and lenders will see a message if their library is currently in use by a borrower.
• Added a Calibration and Advanced Settings screen with options for:
  1. Adjusting deadzones for the left and right Joysticks
  2. Adjusting haptic strength for left and right Trackpads
  3. Joysticks and other sensors on external gamepads
• Updated network connection flow to connect without re-prompting for a known password.
• Improved performance downloading library images after logging in, leading to less stuttering.
• Removed display of ‘B’ back button in Overlay Quick Access Menu.
• Fixed onscreen keyboard input issues when connecting to public WiFi captive portals.
• Fixed issue where Chrome wouldn’t install from the non-Steam section of the Library.

Also Read: Steam Gaming Service Is Coming To Select Chromebooks

Here’s Valve’s changelog of keyboard improvements:

• Active keyboard theme is now loaded in desktop mode.
• Keyboard input is now sent on trackpad click down, instead of up, which should improve accuracy for fast trackpad typists.
• Made the default keyboard theme “pressed” key state more noticeable.
• Pressing R2/Enter no longer dismisses the keyboard in Desktop mode.
• Removed two second latency hiding trackpad cursors when the trackpads are no longer in use.
• Fixed issue with Steam Client on Desktop scaling when the standalone keyboard is shown.
• Fixed issue where transcoded video/audio was re-downloaded on a driver change.
• Fixed some missing localization in the controller configurator.