Dual Boot - Windows, No...Linux Maybe?

[BagginsB]

I have no intention of dual booting to Windows but I've haven't heard any mention of dual booting to Linux. I've never used Linux myself but I'm willing to learn. Would it even matter since the deck is Linux based currently? If so, which version of Linux?

[Punkovich]

The machine is already running on Linux. There probably isn't much talk about dual booting Linux with Linux because its pretty redundant.

[BagginsB]

Yeah, I was thinking of a dedicated OS, like Windows, that would run Linux games that the deck cannot.

[GreyBeard]

Switching to "Desktop Mode" is literally switching to a Linux desktop environment. One should be able to run native Linux games from there.

[@R+5]

you can dual boot and have multiple linux "distros" (distributions, ie different os) in the same machine, but most people wont do that because its usually considered a waste of space and also each additional os means an additional risk of unexpected problems from a bad update.

so it wouldnt be smart to try to install and run multiple oss in the deck for those reasons.

what most people do when testing and review directly multiple distros is to install and run them in virtual machines, so they can avoid the risks of failure even if they still will take space.

if you only want to check a distro, and dont need to review it in detail for a very long time, what you can do (and most people do) is to run it from a "live usb". the downside is that you usually cant make a "persistent live usb" (one that preserves changes in settings and modification you did)

[@R+5]

dual booting in a laptop of desktop with windows has additional risks and complications, because usually microsoft will try to prevent you from using other os in the same machine, because their finantial and political power comes from having control over the users, and if they can get away with it, with their systems. this isnt a conspiracy theory: is how microsoft actually works.

a partial way around that is to install a version of windows that has been modificated to prevent microsoft from affecting the users directly (search "windows ameliorated" or "windows ame"), but that may force users to manually adjust more settings or be unable to use some windows features. this means some programs may not run properly, and to run some games you may need to manually find and install stuff. in many cases this can be a good option if you need to use windows but want to avoid having to allow microsoft forced-updates that can break your system, or change your settings without your consent.

that version of windows also wont work properly in the steam deck, because the regular versions of windows are not fully compatible and wont be until microsoft makes one special for the deck, without involving valve who dont want to deal with them. its not worth to even try to run windows in the deck

[RoyalMetalKnights]

I have SteamOS+Windows 10 running on my 512GB so I can access Game Pass PC. It takes a little work, but no more than what you'd go through on SteamOS to get a variety of games from different launchers running. If you want to use Game Pass PC, you have to install Windows.

Here's Forza Horizon 4 running on my Deck with the new audio drivers...
https://youtu.be/hZQ2KbSRxgg

[BagginsB]

The safest bet for me personally, especially because I won't receive mine until July, is to just leave it as it was intended. I have experience messing with PCs but never touched Linux. It'll be interesting just to learn the basics of it. I'll have to mess with Linux a little to truly use it as a PC, though.

All good stuff! Thanks, guys!

[WarnerCK]

Originally posted by bagginsb39:

I have experience messing with PCs but never touched Linux. It'll be interesting just to learn the basics of it.

It doesn't cost you anything to try. You can burn an image of whatever distro takes your fancy (I'd personally suggest Kubuntu as a good starting off point) to a USB thumb drive and just boot your computer from it, and have a play around. You might find that you like it, but if you don't just shut down & remove the thumb drive and everything will be exactly as it was before.

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by bagginsb39:

The safest bet for me personally, especially because I won't receive mine until July, is to just leave it as it was intended. I have experience messing with PCs but never touched Linux. It'll be interesting just to learn the basics of it. I'll have to mess with Linux a little to truly use it as a PC, though.

All good stuff! Thanks, guys!

Why not mess around with SteamOS? You can always reinstall the OS.

[darrenphillips666]

Steam Deck is on Arch Linux already ,I’d probably leave it at that, not sure what driver support is like for other Linux versions?

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by darrenphillips666:

Steam Deck is on Arch Linux already ,I’d probably leave it at that, not sure what driver support is like for other Linux versions?

https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Steam-Deck-Platform-Driver

[Reverse Module]

The audio drivers don't work in Linux outside of SteamOS so don't try it is my advice. But if you want to see a performance comparison and you have bluetooth Headphones, here you go.

[BagginsB]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Why not mess around with SteamOS? You can always reinstall the OS. [/quote]

I think I'll keep the deck as it was intended and get competent with SteamOS without delving too much into a whole new OS. I'm not as young as I used to be,

[Prezidentas]

Dualbooting into another Linux distribution actually makes a lot of sense, since SteamOS is very locked-down (and there is no point in unlocking since every update will wipe your changes).

[efrenventura]

Originally posted by RoyalMetalKnights:

I have SteamOS+Windows 10 running on my 512GB so I can access Game Pass PC. It takes a little work, but no more than what you'd go through on SteamOS to get a variety of games from different launchers running. If you want to use Game Pass PC, you have to install Windows.

Here's Forza Horizon 4 running on my Deck with the new audio drivers...
https://youtu.be/hZQ2KbSRxgg

Great video!! I am thinking to dual boot following the guide from Deck Wizard as I want SteamOS as my main system but I want Windows for Xenia and Gamepass. Do you recommend do this ? I am a bit afraid for the process but want to ask for your suggestions.

Thanks in advance