Windows 11 and Windows 10 now work on the Steam deck after Valve has officially released the drivers for Microsoft’s operating system. However, it’s not as simple as hitting the download button. In this guide, we are going to show you how to install Windows on Steam Deck from both internal solid-state drive (SSD) and microSD card.
Windows isn’t perfect on the Steam Deck, but installing the OS (or booting from a microSD card) can help turn the Steam Deck into a laptop replacement. We’re going to show you how to do a complete installation of an SSD, plus how to boot Windows from a microSD card. The latter will keep the original SteamOS intact.
Before diving in, keep in mind that Windows 11 is not technically supported on the Steam deck. Windows 11 requires TPM, and the Steam deck doesn’t have that enabled. You can still install Windows 11 with the instructions below, but you may not receive Windows Updates.
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boot from microSD card or USB drive
Before actually installing Windows on the Steam deck, I recommend you boot from a microSD card or USB drive first. It’s completely reversible, so you can try out Windows without erasing anything on your Steam deck. Windows isn’t perfect on the Steam deck, and reinstalling SteamOS is a big task in itself.
I’m using a microSD card, but any UHS-1 microSD card (check the label) or USB 3.0 drive with at least 32GB of storage will work. Steam Deck supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the process is the same regardless of which OS you use. I am using Windows 10 here.
step 1: Visit Microsoft’s website and download Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. If you want to use Windows 11, download the Windows 11 Creation Tool (below Create Windows 11 Installation Media,
step 2: Download Rufus, which will allow you to create a bootable version of Windows on your microSD card or USB drive.
step 3: Download Windows Drivers for Steam Deck from Valve. Keep them all in one folder together on a spare USB drive to access later.
step 4: Open Windows Media Creation Tool and select create installation media, On the next page, select iso file, and choose a place to store it on your PC. Wait for the process to complete, and be sure to keep a note of where you’ve stored the ISO.
Step 5: Plug in your microSD card or USB drive and open Rufus. Comment: Continuing here will erase all data on your microSD card/USB drive. In Rufus, select your microSD card or USB drive Device, then choose to select Near boot selection section. Navigate to your Windows ISO that you created earlier.
below Image OptionsChoose windows to go, then choose MBR below partition scheme, Rename the drive if you wish, and select ready to start the flashing process.
Step 6: Once it’s done, take out the microSD card and insert it into the Steam deck. Turn off your Steam Deck completely, and then hold it volume down Turn it on as your power. This will enter the Boot Manager.
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Step 7: Select your SD card to boot into Windows. It will boot into portrait mode on the Steam deck.
Windows doesn’t actually install here, so proceed through the setup process as usual, selecting your language, keyboard layout, etc. A keyboard and mouse helps a lot here, but you can only get through setup with a touchscreen.
Step 8: Once you’re in Windows, go to Settings > System > Display find more performance orientation alternative. to select landscape To flip the screen to the proper orientation.
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Step 9: Lastly, plug in your USB drive that you have stored the Windows drivers on. Plug it in (not directly into the Steam deck) using your USB-C hub and install the drivers.
That’s it. When you reboot your Steam deck, it will go back to SteamOS, but you can always boot into Windows provided you go through the boot manager.
Do not mix this process with dual booting. Steam Deck doesn’t support dual booting at this time, so you’ll need to choose either Windows or SteamOS if you want a permanent solution.
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How to Install Windows on a Steam Deck’s SSD
If you only want Windows on the Steam deck, you can install directly to the SSD. You’ll need to erase all data on the SSD to do this, however, including your games, settings, and SteamOS.
It is possible to reinstall SteamOS on the Steam Deck, but it is a bit troublesome. If you only want to experiment with Windows, use the method above. If you’re willing to dive into the full experience and don’t mind deleting your data, then continue on.
step 1: To begin, you need to create a Windows installation drive. We cover how to do this in our guide on how to install Windows 11, but the process is straightforward.
Download Windows Media Creation Tool and create an installer on your USB drive. You’ll need a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage, but the tool will walk you through the steps otherwise.
step 2: Turn off your Steam Deck completely and connect your USB drive to the USB hub. Although you can connect the drive directly, I strongly recommend connecting it to a USB-C hub to avoid any problems. A keyboard and mouse are good for installation as well, and a USB-C hub will allow you to connect those peripherals.
step 3: Power on Steam Deck while on hold volume down Button to enter Boot Manager. Select your USB drive with Windows Installer to continue.
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step 4: As before, Windows will boot in portrait mode. Select the Windows version you want and then choose Install now, I highly recommend adding a keyboard and mouse here. You can get through the installation with a touchscreen, but the Steam Deck’s keyboard and touchpad won’t work.
You will then be asked to activate Windows. Enter your Product Key if you have one, or select I don’t have product key To continue.
Step 5: On the following screen, select Custom: Install Windows Only, You will need to remove the partition on the Steam deck in order to install Windows.
important: it will remove All Data on your Steam deck, including your games, settings, and any saves/media that have not been uploaded to the Steam Cloud. It’s possible to reinstall SteamOS afterwards, but you’ll need to reinstall all of your games and reconfigure your settings.
Step 6: Select a partition you want to delete and select delete. I recommend choosing the largest of the number of partitions you have. The 512GB model, at least, comes with eight partitions.
Step 7: Select the partition you just deleted, which should look like this unallocated spacechoose more next. Windows will begin installing to the drive.
Step 8: After some time and an automatic reboot, you’ll be loaded into the normal Windows setup. Proceed as above, selecting your keyboard layout and language, and leaving the Wi-Fi section.
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Step 9: Windows is installed at this point, so all you need is a little cleanup. go towards Settings > System > Display and switch performance orientation To landscape.
Take another USB drive with the Windows drivers for Steam Deck, and install them as well. SteamOS is now gone, so you’ll need to reinstall it if you want to go back.
How to Recover SteamOS on Steam Deck
If you installed Windows on a Steam deck’s SSD and you want to go back, you can. Valve provides a Steam Deck recovery image that will bring SteamOS back to working order—provided you’re okay with factory resetting your Steam Deck once again.
step 1: To begin, download the SteamOS recovery image from Valve.
step 2: Download Rufus to a separate Windows PC and insert a USB drive. Write SteamOS recovery image to USB drive and eject it from your PC.
step 3: Turn off the Steam deck completely and connect the USB drive using a USB-C hub. hold on volume down Button while powering on Steam Deck to enter Boot Manager. From there select your USB drive (it should be “EFI USB Device”).
step 4: After some time, you will boot into the recovery environment. Here are some alternatives that will try to preserve your data, but I recommend using re-image steam deck alternative.
If you’re coming from Windows, you’ll need to factory reset the Steam deck for it to work. try other options Will not done Keep your games if you already have Windows installed, and they can lead to some nasty filesystem conflicts.
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