How to set up Windows 11 and 10 on Steam Deck

Windows 11 and Windows 10 deal with the Steam Deck now that Valve has actually formally launched chauffeurs for Microsoft’s os. It’s not as basic as striking a download button. In this guide, we’re going to reveal you how to set up Windows on the Steam Deck, both to the internal solide-state drive (SSD) and from a microSD card.

Windows isn’t ideal on the Steam Deck, however setting up the OS (or booting from it with a microSD card) can assist turn the Steam Deck into a laptop computer replacement We’re going to reveal you to do a complete setup to the SSD, along with how to boot to Windows from a microSD card. The latter will keep the initial SteamOS set up undamaged.

Before diving in, bear in mind that Windows 11 isn’t technically supported on the Steam Deck. Windows 11 needs TPM, and the Steam Deck does not have that allowed. You can still set up Windows 11 with the directions listed below, however you might not get Windows updates.

Windows 10 running on the Steam Deck. — Jacob Roach/ Digital Trends

Boot from a microSD card or USB drive

Before really setting up Windows on the Steam Deck, I suggest you boot from a microSD card or USB drive. This is totally reversible, so you can check out Windows without eliminating anything on your Steam Deck. Windows isn’t ideal on the Steam Deck, and re-installing SteamOS is a huge job by itself.

I’m utilizing a microSD card, however any UHS-1 microSD card (inspect the label) or USB 3.0 drive with a minimum of 32 GB of storage will work. The Steam Deck supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the procedure is the exact same despite which OS you utilize. I’m utilizing Windows 10 here.

Step 1: Head to Microsoft’s site and download the Windows 10 media production tool If you wish to utilize Windows 11, download the Windows 11 production tool(under Create Windows 11 setup media).

Step 2: Download Rufus, which is what will enable you to develop a bootable variation of Windows on your microSD card or USB drive.

Step 3: Download the Windows chauffeurs for Steam Deck from Valve. Put them all in a folder together on an extra USB drive for gain access to later on.

Steam Deck drivers in a folder in Windows.

Step 4: Open the Windows Media Creation Tool and choose Create setup media On the next page, select ISO file, and pick a location to keep it on your PC. Wait till the procedure is done, and ensure to keep a note about where you saved the ISO.

Step 5: Plug in your microSD card or USB drive and open Rufus. Note: Continuing here will remove all information on your microSD card/USB drive. In Rufus, choose your microSD card or USB drive under Device Pick Select next to the Boot choice area. Browse to your Windows ISO that you developed previously.

Under Image choice, choose Windows To Go Select MBR under Partition plan Relabel the drive if you desire, and choose Ready to begin the flashing procedure.

Rufus creating a bootable Windows installer.

Step 6: Once it’s done, eject the microSD card and insert it in the Steam Deck. Shut off your Steam Deck totally, and after that hold down the Volume down button as your power it on. This will get in the boot supervisor.

SD card hanging out of the Steam Deck. — Jacob Roach/ Digital Trends

Step 7: Select your SD card to boot into Windows. It will boot in picture mode on the Steam Deck.

Windows does not in fact set up here, so continue through the setup procedure as regular by choosing your language, keyboard design, and so on. A keyboard and mouse assist a lot here, however you can make it through setup with simply the touchscreen.

Step 8: Once you’re in Windows, head to Settings > > System > > Display and discover the Display orientation choice. Select Landscape to turn the screen to the correct orientation.

Screen orientation setting on the Steam Deck. — Jacob Roach/ Digital Trends

Step 9: Finally, plug in your USB drive that you kept the Windows chauffeurs on. Plug it in utilizing your USB-C center (not straight into the Steam Deck) and set up the chauffeurs.

That’s it. When you reboot your Steam Deck, it will return to SteamOS, however you can constantly boot into Windows supplied you go through the boot supervisor.

Don’t blend this procedure with double booting. The Steam Deck does not support double booting at the minute, so you’ll require to select either Windows or SteamOS if you desire a long-term option.

A USB-C hub connected to the Steam Deck. — Jacob Roach/ Digital Trends

How to set up Windows on the Steam Deck’s SSD

If you desire Windows just on the Steam Deck, you can set up straight to the SSD. You’ll require to eliminate all of the information on the SSD to do so, however, including your video games, settings, and SteamOS itself.

It’s possible to bring back SteamOS on the Steam Deck, however it’s a little an inconvenience. If you simply wish to explore Windows, utilize the technique above. If you’re ready to dive into the complete experience and do not mind erasing your information, continue.

Step 1: To begin, you require to develop a Windows setup drive. We lay out how to do that in our guide on how to set up Windows 11, however the procedure is uncomplicated.

Download the Windows media production tool and develop an installer on your USB drive. You’ll require a USB drive with a minimum of 16 GB of storage, however the tool will stroll you through the actions otherwise.

Step 2: Power down your Steam Deck totally and link your USB drive with a USB center. You can link the drive straight, I highly advise linking it with a USB-C center to prevent any problems. A keyboard and mouse benefit setup, too, and a USB-C center will enable you to link those peripherals.

Step 3: Power on the Steam Deck while holding the Volume down button to get in the boot supervisor. Select your USB drive with the Windows installer to continue.

Steam Deck's boot manager. — Jacob Roach/ Digital Trends

Step 4: Like previously, Windows will boot in picture mode. Select the Windows variation you desire and after that select Install now I extremely advise linking a keyboard and mouse here. You can survive setup with the touchscreen, however the Steam Deck’s keyboard and the touchpads will not work.

You’ll be asked to trigger Windows after. Enter your item secret if you have it, or pick I do not have an item secret to continue.

Step 5: On the following screen, select Custom: set up Windows just You’ll require to erase partitions on the Steam Deck in order to set up Windows.

Important: This will erase all of the information on your Steam Deck, including your video games, settings, and any saves/media that have not been submitted to Steam Cloud. It’s possible to bring back SteamOS later on, however you’ll require to re-install all of your video games and reconfigure your settings.

Step 6: Choose a partition you wish to erase and pick Delete. I suggest selecting the biggest of how ever lots of partitions you have. The 512 GB design, a minimum of, features 8 partitions.

Step 7: Choose the partition you erased, which ought to appear as Unallocated area, and choose Next. Windows will start setting up on the drive.

Step 8: After a little bit of time and an automated reboot, you’ll fill into the regular Windows setup. Continue as you would above, picking your keyboard design, and language, and avoiding the Wi-Fi area.

Windows setup on the Steam Deck. — Jacob Roach/ Digital Trends

Step 9: Windows is set up at this moment, so all you require is a little clean-up. Head to Settings > > System > > Display and switch Display Orientation to Landscape.

Grab another USB drive with the Windows chauffeurs for Steam Deck, and install them. SteamOS is gone now, so you’ll require to restore it if you wish to return.

How to recuperate SteamOS on the Steam Deck

If you set up Windows on the Steam Deck’s SSD and you wish to return, you can. Valve provides a Steam Deck healing image that will get SteamOS back in working order– supplied you’re okay with factory resetting your Steam Deck when again.

Step 1: To begin, download the SteamOS healing image from Valve.

Step 2: Download Rufus on a different Windows PC and place a USB drive. Compose the SteamOS healing image to the USB drive and eject it from your PC.

Step 3: Power down the Steam Deck totally and link the USB drive utilizing a USB-C center. Hold the Volume down button while powering on the Steam Deck to get in the boot supervisor. Select your USB drive from there (it ought to be “EFI USB Device”).

Step 4: After a long time, you will boot into the healing environment. There are a couple of alternatives here that will try to protect your information, however I advise utilizing the Re-image Steam Deck choice.

If you’re originating from Windows, you’ll require to factory reset the Steam Deck to get it working. Trying the other alternatives will not keep your video games if you’ve currently set up Windows, and they might result in some nasty file system disputes.