How to install Windows on your Steam Deck (2024)

The Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED come pre-installed with SteamOS, which is a lightweight Linux-based operating system developed by Valve that lets you run games natively through Steam. But if you're not a fan of the OS and want your handheld to be like other Windows-based Steam Deck competitors, such as the ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go, you can install the Microsoft operating system to make it close to a full-blown PC.

With all of that said, it's worth noting a few things before you take on this sometimes complicated process. If you really want to use Windows on a gaming handheld, we recommend taking a look at competitors that are actually made to use Windows in the first place.

Should you install Windows on your Steam Deck?

Realistically, probably not

Valve’s custom-built Steam OS is tailor-made for the Deck’s hardware, optimizing its performance and functionality. Switching to Windows results in a number of compromises, including losing these optimizations, leading to a generally poorer gaming experience. For instance, the native Quick Settings menu in Steam OS, which allows on-the-fly adjustments to power settings and performance metrics, is unavailable on Windows. This is a crucial feature for maximizing efficiency and gameplay directly.

Performance also takes a hit. YouTube creator TheTerk showed evidence suggests that most games perform better on Steam OS compared to Windows. For example, games like God of War have been shown to run significantly faster on Steam OS—up to 22.3% in some tests. Windows, lacking the deep system integrations of Steam OS, often fail to utilize the hardware as effectively.

Moreover, while Windows might offer compatibility with certain games requiring specific anti-cheat software, the overall setup process is cumbersome. Dual-booting is an option, but it comes with the hassle of partition management and could still dilute the seamless gaming experience that Steam OS offers. Unless you really want to use Windows software or anti-cheat software, then you should think twice about installing Windows on your Steam Deck.

What you need to know before getting started

There are a few pre-requisistes

While Windows on the Steam Deck is supported (Valve even provides some of the required drivers for the Windows on Steam Deck experience), it’s not technically covered by Valve’s support team if you encounter issues. Additionally, it’s a complicated process, which is why we don’t recommend running Windows 11 on the Steam Deck unless you’re an enthusiast or have expertise in installing Windows on PCs.

There are three ways to install Windows on the Steam Deck. For most people, the simplest method is to install it via a microSD card and dual boot from there, without affecting your main SteamOS installation. Alternatively, you can shrink your SteamOS SSD’s partition and install Windows alongside SteamOS to dual boot them. Lastly, you can erase your SSD and install Windows 11 in place of SteamOS.

There are still a few things to keep in mind, though. The most important thing is that if you opt to install Windows on an SD card, the performance might be poor, and the life of the SD card might be shortened. Of course, this depends on how graphically demanding your games are. Some other things include:

• You don't need to replace SteamOS with Windows, you can dual-boot both operating systems (which we recommend doing)
• You'll have to purchase a Windows license
• You need access to a Windows PC
• You'll have to download and use Rufus on a primary Windows PC
• To dual-boot Windows off an SD card, you'll need a microSD card. We prefer a size that's 32GB or bigger. 512GB is ideal to have space for games
• If your PC doesn't have a microSD card slot, you can buy a USB-A to microSD card reader
• If you want to replace SteamOS with Windows, you'll need a separate USB drive bigger than 16GB to install Windows from
• You might want to consider a USB-C docking station with two USB-A ports so you can use a wired keyboard and mouse during setup

• 

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Method 1: Dual boot Windows 11 and SteamOS on your Steam Deck with a microSD card

The simplest method

We want to start the process of installing Windows 11 on the Steam Deck with the method most people will be comfortable with. We'll be dual-booting Windows 11 and SteamOS by installing Windows externally on a microSD card. Again, this brings performance worries, but it is a good way to try Windows on the Steam Deck before you commit yourself to install it on your main system.

Step 1: Download Windows 11

In this first step, you'll be downloading Windows 11. You can get the installation file from Microsoft, save it as an ISO, and then load it into a microSD card slot later on.

1. Visit Microsoft's Windows 11 downloads page.
2. Choose the Create Windows 11 installation Media option and press Download Now.
3. Launch the Media Creation Tool and accept the terms.
4. Choose an Edition and Language of Windows.
5. Choose the ISO file option.

   

6. Save the ISO file to a place you'd find it easily, like the desktop.
7. Allow the installer to download Windows 11 and create the ISO file. This process could take up to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
8. Click Finish when done.

Step 2: Install Windows on your SD Card

Next, you'll be installing Windows on your SD card. This involves using Rufus. It's a really straightforward process.

1. Download the latest version of Rufus.
2. Insert your microSD card into your PC or into the microSD card reader.
3. Launch the Rufus file and run it.
4. Under the Boot selection tab, choose the Select button and load the Windows ISO file you downloaded earlier.
5. Under Image Option choose Windows To Go.

   

6. Under Volume Label, name your SD card something like Steam Deck SD card.
7. Press Start.
8. Choose your Windows edition.
9. Enable all four options listed there. If you want to use a Microsoft Account, you can keep the second box unchecked.

   

10. Click OK to begin the installation process.

Step 3: Download the Steam Deck Drivers

While you wait, you'll need to install some drivers for your Steam Deck for things to work properly. Windows doesn't have native drivers for the Wi-Fi, Audio, and other critical parts of your Steam Deck.

1. Head to Valve's website and download each of the drivers on a primary PC.
2. You'll need all the drivers listed here.

   

3. Once all these drivers are downloaded, right-click on each of the downloaded files one by one.
4. Choose Extract All, then Browse, and then select Desktop.

   

5. Once each of the files is extracted. Go to your desktop.
6. Right-click and choose New Folder and create a folder called Steam Deck Drivers.
7. Copy all the extracted folders from earlier and paste them into the Steam Deck Drivers folder.
8. Go back to the desktop, select the Steam Deck Drivers folder, and copy it.
9. Open a File Explorer window, click This PC, in the sidebar, and double-click on the icon to choose the microSD card you created earlier.
10. Paste the Steam Deck Drivers folder 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 proceed with the installation.

1. Hold down the volume down button and power button on your Steam Deck until the Steam boot screen appears.
2. You'll be taken to the Steam Deck Boot Manager.

   

   See Also

   How to install Windows on Steam Deck: Dual booting Windows 11 and SteamOS
3. Select the microSD card you created from the list of boot options.
4. The Steam Deck will reboot from the microSD card. You'll have to turn the Steam Deck vertically to use it.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to install Windows.
6. If you're having trouble using the touch screen, or if it is unresponsive, plug your Steam Deck into a USB-C dock and use an external keyboard and mouse.
7. We suggest skipping Wi-Fi connectivity and continuing with a limited setup, as Wi-Fi speeds are extremely slow until you install the official drivers. If you're using a dock, you can connect via Ethernet if you want to use an online setup.
8. Once at the desktop, go to Settings, Display, and change the display orientation to Landscape.
9. Launch the File Explorer, click This PC, and then double-click the microSD card you have inserted.
10. Navigate to the Steam Deck Drivers folder and open each of the folders to install the drivers:
    1. For the APU driver, run setup.exe.
    2. For the Wi-Fi driver, run installer.bat.
    3. For Bluetooth driver, run the installdriver.cmd file.
    4. For the SD card reader, run setup.exe.
    5. For Audio driver one: Right-click cs35l41.inf and select Install.
    6. For Audio driver two: Right-click NAU88L21.inf and select Install.

That's it! You should now have Windows running on your Steam Deck's microSD card! Each time you want to boot into Windows from the microSD card, you'l have to go to the Steam Deck's boot menu.

Method 2: Dual boot both Windows 11 and SteamOS on your Steam Deck's SSD

The complicated option

This method is one of the more complicated in the list of ways you can dual boot both Windows 11 and SteamOS. In this method, you can partition your Steam Deck SSD for both operating systems. It's not for the faint of heart, though, and we only suggest doing this on the 256GB or 512GB model Steam Deck to ensure you have enough storage.

Step 1: Gather the necessary tools

For this method, you're going to need two flash drives, also some additional tools like G-Parted and Rufus. Be sure to download these latest versions. You'll also need access to a Windows PC, and have a Steam Deck dock handy to plug these drives into.

Step 2: Prepare your USB drive

In this next step, you'll have to prepare your first USB drive using your Windows PC.

1. Launch Rufus
2. Under Device choose your attached USB drive.
3. Under Boot selection choose gparted-live.
4. Press the Start button.
5. Wait for the drive to complete.

Step 3: Boot your Steam Deck and go into the boot menu

Now, go back to your Steam Deck. Hold down the power and volume buttons to get to the boot menu. Plug the USB drive you created into your device. You might have to rotate the screen and use an external keyboard and mouse in this step, too.

1. Select the flash disk you created.
2. Press A.
3. Wait a minute and press A again
4. Press A again
5. Press A again
6. Select the internal drive from the drop-down menu on the top right.
7. Click on the home partition, labeled as ext4 home. Usually, it's the largest file size.
8. Click on the top where it says Partition
9. Choose resize/move.
10. Set the size to as much as you please.
11. Once you see the space as unallocated click it and choose Partition again.
12. Choose New and choose NTFS.
13. Go to the top of G-Parted and choose Quit then click Exit and Shutdown.

Step 4: Download Windows 11

Now, we can download Windows 11. This process is one of the easiest.

1. Visit Microsoft's Windows 11 downloads page.
2. Choose the Create Windows 11 installation Media option and press Download Now.
3. Launch the Media Creation Tool and accept the terms.
4. Choose an Edition and Language of Windows.
5. Chose the ISO file option.

   

6. Save the ISO file to a place you'd find it easily, like the desktop.

Step 5: Create Windows 11 bootable installation media

In this next step, you're going to create a Windows 11 bootable installation media. You'll need to use Rufus.

1. Launch Rufus
2. Under Device choose your attached USB drive.
3. Under Boot selection choose the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded earlier.
4. Press the Start button.
5. Wait for the drive to complete.

Step 6: Boot your Steam Deck from the USB drive and install Windows

Now, you'll boot your Steam Deck from this USB drive you made and will install Windows. You might have to rotate the screen in this step.

1. Hold down the volume down button and power button on your Steam Deck until the Steam boot screen appears.
2. You'll be taken to the Steam Deck Boot Manager.
3. Select the USB drive you created with Windows from the list of boot options.
4. Follow the prompts on your screen.
5. Select Install Now.

6. Enter your Windows product key.
7. Pick the Windows edition you have a license for.
8. Agree to the terms and select Install Windows Only.

   

9. You'll see several partitions listed. The first eight partitions are SteamOS, and you'll see the extra partitions you created earlier.
10. Delete the portions you created.
11. You'll see unallocated space, and you'll want to click New followed by the size.
12. Click Next and follow the steps on your screen.
13. Follow the steps on the screen to install Windows and if prompted, sign in with a Microsoft account.

Step 7: Download the Steam Deck Drivers.

Once Windows is installed you'll need to install some drivers for your Steam Deck for things to work properly. Windows doesn't have native drivers for the Wi-Fi, Audio, and other critical parts of your Steam Deck. So it's best to go to a secondary PC for these next steps and paste the files into a USB drive.

1. Head to Valve's website and download each of the drivers on a primary PC.
2. You'll need all the drivers listed here.

   

3. Once all these drivers are downloaded, right-click on each of the downloaded files one by one.
4. Choose Extract All, then Browse, and then select Desktop.

   

5. Once each of the files is extracted. Go to your desktop.

6. Right-click and choose New Folder and create a folder called Steam Deck Drivers.
7. Copy all the extracted folders from earlier and paste them into the Steam Deck Drivers folder.
8. Go back to the desktop, highlight the Steam Deck Drivers folder, and copy it.
9. Open a File Explorer Window, click This PC, in the sidebar, and double-click on the icon to choose the microSD card or USB Drive you created earlier.
10. Paste the Steam Deck Drivers folder and wait.

Step 8: Install the Steam Deck Drivers

In this final step, you'll have to install the drivers for your Steam Deck. Boot up your Steam Deck, hold the power and volume buttons, and choose the Windows partition.

1. Once at the desktop, go to Settings, Display, and change the display orientation to Landscape.
2. Launch the File Explorer, click This PC, and then double-click the microSD card or USB drive you have inserted.
3. Navigate to the Steam Deck Drivers folder and open each of the folders to install the drivers
   1. For the APU driver, run setup.exe.
   2. For the Wi-Fi driver, run installer.bat.
   3. For Bluetooth driver, run the installdriver.cmd file.
   4. For the SD card reader, run setup.exe.
   5. For Audio driver one: Right-click cs35l41.inf and select Install.
   6. For Audio driver two: Right-click NAU88L21.inf and select Install.

That's it! You've just installed Windows on your Steam Deck! You can now dual boot Windows and SteamOS by powering down the system, holding the power and volume buttons, and choosing the appropriate partition.

Method 3: Replace SteamOS with Windows 11 on your Steam Deck permanently

Only do this if you're certain you're done with SteamOS

We don't suggest replacing SteamOS with Windows 11 on your Steam Deck, but if you want to, it is an option. We wouldn't recommend it if you're uncomfortable removing SteamOS, though. But if you accept the risks of losing your data, here's what to do:

Step 1: Download Windows 11 installation media

These first steps require you to download a Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft. It's made simple.

1. Visit Microsoft's Windows 11 downloads page.
2. Choose the Create Windows 11 installation Media option and press Download Now.
3. Launch the Media Creation Tool and accept the terms.
4. Choose an Edition and Language of Windows.
5. Choose the ISO file option.

   

6. Save the ISO file to a place you'd find it easily, like the desktop.
7. Allow the installer to download Windows 11 and create the ISO file. This process could take up to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
8. Click Finish when done.

Step 2: Create a bootable installation media

Next up, you'll be using that ISO file and creating installation media. It's a really straightforward process made simple by the tool Rufus. You'll need to be on another PC for this.

1. Download Rufus.
2. Insert a USB drive into your PC. You'll need a drive with a USB-C port or a USB adapter so you can later use it with your Steam Deck.
3. Launch the Rufus file and run it.
4. Under the Boot selection tab, choose the Select button and load the Windows ISO file you downloaded earlier.
5. Under Image Option choose Standard Windows installation.

   

6. Under Volume Label name your SD card or USB drive something like Steam Deck SD card.
7. Press Start.
8. Choose your Windows edition.
9. Enable the checkboxes.
10. If you'd like, select the box for a local account, and remove the requirement for an online Microsoft Account.
11. Click OK to begin the installation process.

Step 3: Download the Steam Deck Drivers.

Once this is complete, you'll need to install some drivers for your Steam Deck for things to work properly. Windows doesn't have native drivers for the Wi-Fi, Audio, and other critical parts of your Steam Deck. So it's best to go to a secondary PC for these next steps.

1. Head to Valve's website and download each of the drivers on a primary PC.
2. You'll need all the drivers listed here.

   

3. Once all these drivers are downloaded, right-click on each of the downloaded files one by one.
4. Choose Extract All, then Browse, and then select Desktop.

   

5. Once each of the files is extracted. Go to your desktop.
6. Right-click and choose New Folder and create a folder called Steam Deck Drivers.
7. Copy all the extracted folders from earlier and paste them into the Steam Deck Drivers folder.
8. Go back to the desktop, highlight the Steam Deck Drivers folder, and copy it.
9. Open a File Explorer Window, click This PC, in the sidebar, and double-click on the icon to choose the microSD card or USB Drive you created earlier.
10. Paste the Steam Deck Drivers folder and wait.

Step 3: Boot your Steam Deck from the USB drive and install Windows

Now, you'll boot your Steam Deck from this USB drive you made and will install Windows.

1. Hold down the volume down button and power button on your Steam Deck until the Steam boot screen appears.
2. You'll be taken to the Steam Deck Boot Manager.
3. Select the USB drive you created from the list of boot options.
4. Follow the prompts on your screen.
5. Select Install Now.

6. Enter your Windows product key.
7. Pick the Windows edition you have a license for.
8. Agree to the terms and select Install Windows Only.

   

9. You'll see several partitions listed. Delete them all.
10. Create a new partition.
11. Follow the steps on the screen to install Windows and if prompted, sign in with a Microsoft account.

Step 4: Install the Steam Deck Drivers

In this next step, you'll have to install the drivers for your Steam Deck.

1. Once at the desktop, go to Settings, Display, and change the display orientation to Landscape.
2. Launch the File Explorer, click This PC, and then double-click the microSD card or USB drive you have inserted.
3. Navigate to the Steam Deck Drivers folder and open each of the folders to install the drivers
   1. For the APU driver, run setup.exe.
   2. For the Wi-Fi driver, run installer.bat.
   3. For Bluetooth driver, run the installdriver.cmd file.
   4. For the SD card reader, run setup.exe.
   5. For Audio driver one: Right-click cs35l41.inf and select Install.
   6. For Audio driver two: Right-click NAU88L21.inf and select Install.

After installing these drivers, you should be good to go. Your Steam Deck will now be up and running with Windows, running on the internal SSD.

Enjoy Windows on your Steam Deck!

Now that you've installed Windows on your Steam Deck, you're in for a new world of fun. Your Steam Deck is now a portable Windows PC. You can install more games and enjoy games without anti-cheat mechanisms that you'll find might have limited you in SteamOS. You'll also get full access to the Steam games library, including the titles that weren't compatible with SteamOS.

Steam Deck

Valve's first portable gaming PC, the Steam Deck, is one of the coolest handheld gaming consoles on the market, with a huge library of games to play and the ability to take them on the go.

$399 at Steam