How to add windows games by running their installers? (eg. Setup.exe)

[Snowcone Guy]

Hello!

There are a few old games that I want to try out on my Steam Deck.
Maybe they work with Proton, maybe not. Worth a try.

I have been searching for a tutorial on how to do this.
They all come down to the same:
Go to Desktop mode, add the .exe of the game's executable, or the .exe of the game's launcher/store as a third-party program to Steam, and go back to Steam OS.

But what if I don't have all the game files in one folder, but instead have just one setup.exe that has to be run first to install the game?

When I saved my old game collection, I didn't just copy the installation folder,
I kept their installers instead.

I assume that I'll run into issues if I install the the games on my desktop Windows PC and then copy the installation folder to my Steam Deck SD card.
Many games put files in all kinds of folders under /appdata or /documents.

How can I install a windows game through it's setup.exe on the Steam Deck Desktop Mode,
so I can add it's game executable to Steam as a third party program?

I have basically zero knowledge/understanding of Linux (or the Steam Deck Desktop mode).
So if anyone can help me, please be as detailed as possible :)

[tfk]

For these kind of scenarios I always use Lutris. Lutris has installers for Steam, GOG, EPIC and also disk based games.

Lutris creates a WINE prefix for you and the installer makes sure that all necessary requirements (winetricks) are installed.

Proton follows basically the same route. What those tutorials probably explain is that the setup.exe is executed within the (proton) prefix and installs there. When this goes as planned then you need to make sure the correct game exe is executed. I think by entering it in the properties window of the game in Steam.

[Pedrof]

"How can I install a windows game through it's setup.exe on the Steam Deck Desktop Mode,"

You add the setup.exe file as a non-Steam game ; you edit the compatibility setting to make it run with the latest version of Proton ; you click "play".

Steam will launch the installer just like it was a game. Once your game is installed, you will have to add the game executable as a non-Steam game. The installation path is a bit complex but I can check it later for you if you need it.

Then, you'll be able to launch your game from Steam. Make sure to edit the compatibility setting to select a version of Proton to run your game. You can either test some versions yourself or search online for a good choice. I use ProtonDB for this.

[Reverse Module]

Bottles is your friend. Lutris is not ready yet.

[Snowcone Guy]

Thank you all for your answers!

[Dragon Protector]

Originally posted by Pedrof:

"How can I install a windows game through it's setup.exe on the Steam Deck Desktop Mode,"

You add the setup.exe file as a non-Steam game ; you edit the compatibility setting to make it run with the latest version of Proton ; you click "play".

Steam will launch the installer just like it was a game. Once your game is installed, you will have to add the game executable as a non-Steam game. The installation path is a bit complex but I can check it later for you if you need it.

Then, you'll be able to launch your game from Steam. Make sure to edit the compatibility setting to select a version of Proton to run your game. You can either test some versions yourself or search online for a good choice. I use ProtonDB for this.

what the install path? I did this for specialk and have no idea where it installed or how to remove it.

[Snowcone Guy]

Originally posted by Dragon Protector:

Originally posted by Pedrof:

"How can I install a windows game through it's setup.exe on the Steam Deck Desktop Mode,"

You add the setup.exe file as a non-Steam game ; you edit the compatibility setting to make it run with the latest version of Proton ; you click "play".

Steam will launch the installer just like it was a game. Once your game is installed, you will have to add the game executable as a non-Steam game. The installation path is a bit complex but I can check it later for you if you need it.

Then, you'll be able to launch your game from Steam. Make sure to edit the compatibility setting to select a version of Proton to run your game. You can either test some versions yourself or search online for a good choice. I use ProtonDB for this.

what the install path? I did this for specialk and have no idea where it installed or how to remove it.

Each of those installations of windows software through proton creates a separate folder that is basically a fake Windows installation.

You find them under /home/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compdata/[number of the game]/pfx

Under some instances, that path might begins with /home/DECK/.local/ etc...

Also, if you try to click your way to those folders with the File Explorer of the Desktop Mode, you probably have to activate "show hidden folders" in order to see /.local
You should be able to do so by clicking on the hamburger symbol.

[Dragon Protector]

Originally posted by Snowcone Guy:

Originally posted by Dragon Protector:

what the install path? I did this for specialk and have no idea where it installed or how to remove it.

Each of those installations of windows software through proton creates a separate folder that is basically a fake Windows installation.

You find them under /home/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compdata/[number of the game]/pfx

Under some instances, that path might begins with /home/DECK/.local/ etc...

Also, if you try to click your way to those folders with the File Explorer of the Desktop Mode, you probably have to activate "show hidden folders" in order to see /.local
You should be able to do so by clicking on the hamburger symbol.

i will try that thx!


Ok I tried it and deleted the folder with like 8 numbers. Apparently, it made more than 1 instance of the install in separate folders.

[Snowcone Guy]

So when it comes to finding the right folder with the number name under /compdata ,
I recommend sorting the folder by "created" and then the newest one is the one at the bottom.

[Dragon Protector]

Originally posted by Snowcone Guy:

So when it comes to finding the right folder with the number name under /compdata ,
I recommend sorting the folder by "created" and then the newest one is the one at the bottom.

good idea!

[Dragon Protector]

Originally posted by psi onix:

Originally posted by Pedrof:

You add the setup.exe file as a non-Steam game ; you edit the compatibility setting to make it run with the latest version of Proton ; you click "play".

Steam will launch the installer just like it was a game. Once your game is installed, you will have to add the game executable as a non-Steam game. The installation path is a bit complex but I can check it later for you if you need it.

yup this is what i had to do to install EA's Origin client on my steam Deck to be able to then install my origin copy of Mass Effect 3. Working great.

doesnt work if you move compdata to sd card and link to ssd.

[d[-_-]b]

add the installer as a non steam game.
set the compatibility layer you want to use
run the game
once installed edit the non steam game (dont delete and add a new one, because it will make a new prefix)
and choose the exe used to run the game.

play the game

[Dragon Protector]

Originally posted by psi onix:

Originally posted by Dragon Protector:

doesnt work if you move compdata to sd card and link to ssd.

oh okay, but why'd you have to move compdata? for me, the game i did it with i have installed to internal ssd.

its been working great, mass effect 3 multiplayer on origin has been my most played game on the deck so far. i just needed to watch a youtube tutorial for help with finding the install folders. also needed from the tutorial a launch command to add to the game.. something to do with ensuring it runs in conjunction with Origin on Steam.

i meant the dates all show the same after the move.

[Pedrof]

Originally posted by psi onix:

Originally posted by Dragon Protector:

also needed from the tutorial a launch command to add to the game.. something to do with ensuring it runs in conjunction with Origin on Steam.

What was the launch command ?

[Dragon Protector]

Originally posted by Pedrof:

Originally posted by psi onix:

What was the launch command ?

i dont remember sorry.

[Kkj_10]

Originally posted by Pedrof:

"How can I install a windows game through it's setup.exe on the Steam Deck Desktop Mode,"

You add the setup.exe file as a non-Steam game ; you edit the compatibility setting to make it run with the latest version of Proton ; you click "play".

Steam will launch the installer just like it was a game. Once your game is installed, you will have to add the game executable as a non-Steam game. The installation path is a bit complex but I can check it later for you if you need it.

Then, you'll be able to launch your game from Steam. Make sure to edit the compatibility setting to select a version of Proton to run your game. You can either test some versions yourself or search online for a good choice. I use ProtonDB for this.

I know this is an old post but I just wanted to say thank you.

Finally got this to work by following these instructions and downloading the free trial now.

I installed it on my SD card which was drive D & I used the latest non beta version of proton and it worked perfectly. The game executable is called ffxivboot.exe for me. Make sure to add that as a non steam game and remove the original install file from steam so you don't get mixed up