Last Updated on March 12, 2022 by Anu Joy
Valve’s Steam Deck handheld gaming PC was launched on February 25, but was made available for a select few who had reserved the device. The device is essentially built with a custom processor with graphics from AMD and runs on a custom SteamOS based on Linux. Valve has now announced that users will be able to install Windows operating system on the Steam Deck. Valve has even published a tutorial for the same and is providing the drivers required to install Windows 10.
On Thursday, March 11, Valve announced, “Like any other PC, you can install other applications and OSes if you’d like. For those interested in installing Windows, you’ll need a few additional drivers to have the best experience”.
Steps To Install Windows On Steam Deck
- Visit the help page to download drivers for Wi-Fi, graphics, Bluetooth, and audio.
- Make a bootable installation USB drive similar to how you install Windows on any other PC.
- Plug it into the Steam Deck.
- Switch off the console.
- Hold down the power and volume down buttons simultaneously to open the boot menu.
- Follow the steps as you would do to install Windows on a PC.
A few things you should be aware of are that Windows 11 is currently not supported. Valve is reportedly working on a BIOS update that enables the gaming console’s TPM module. You will have to use a USB Ethernet adapter to provide an internet connection to the device because Wi-Fi doesn’t work till you install the drivers.
Folks wishing for a dual boot system to run SteamOS and Windows would be disappointed as the SteamOS installer doesn’t support dual-boot partitions. Also, Valve has announced via a community post that users may not get similar technical support for the Windows operated Steam Deck as the gaming consoles running on SteamOS. If you aren’t the adventurous kind, it’s best to wait for some time till Valve sorts out the initial niggles.
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