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Dweller Beyond the Threshold Nov 24, 2022 @ 3:00pm
should I install Windows on Steam Deck?
There are very few games I play on Steam that doesn't use mods, Crusader Kings, M&B Bannerlord, Bethesda games, Elden Ring, etc. But since many mods require microsoft net framework and other plugins, having a Windows on Steam Deck seems like a must for me.

Are there any downsides to installing Windows 10 or 11 on Steam Deck? Is it complicated to do it? Once Steam OS is deleted, can I still get it back? Would I be missing anything if I choose to stick with Windows?

Thanks in advance for your answers.
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Originally posted by [KAMI] RedWyvern:
Originally posted by UnhappyLawbro:
Originally posted by golephish:
then stock as is with desktop mode is awesome. you could also install windows to an SD card and boot as needed. I tested windows to go, and it works well enough, but then did it on the internal drive. I just spent the past day formatting again and removing windows. rEFInd is the tool you need to dual boot.
what would be the advantage of dual booting then? Considering that if I have windows installed and it works well, I don't see any reason to use the default OS, especially if most mods wouldn't work on the Steam OS.
The reason is the battery life optimalisations of the Quick Access menu, the quick suspend and resume, the better driver support and having a simple gaming interface that lets you sit down and play without having to fumble with fullscreen and multiple windows.
This makes a bigger difference than you might expect, especially after you've had the device for a while.

Also, SteamOS *can* run Windows games in Game Mode, it's more convoluted to mod games on SteamOS itself, still possible and copying games modded on Windows works too.
As long as you copy the games to a Steam Deck/Linux (EXT4/BTRFS) formatted partition, in the case of non-Steam games add them as such and force Proton compatibility, almost any (modded) game will work, also in Game Mode.
If you try to run games from a Windows (NTFS) partition, the Proton compatibility layer runs into issues, but SteamOS can copy from these partitions to it's own.

Here's a more technical review that talks about modding of games on SteamOS, give it a watch and check the pinned comment if you want to know what you're in for.
https://youtu.be/6MP9d3aSwM8

If you'd rather put Windows on it and use it as a replacement PC, of course this is fine as well, it is your Deck, but don't rule out using SteamOS as thanks to the Proton compatibility layer it can do more that you might expect.
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Showing 31-32 of 32 comments
Dweller Beyond the Threshold Jan 9, 2023 @ 6:26pm 
Originally posted by Robman007:
I have yet to find a reason why I would. Everything I want to play has run great so far.
mod
#31
Tadrith Sep 19, 2024 @ 7:32pm 
This is old, and I'm going to reply anyway because I'm annoyed and apparently you can't leave reviews for the deck.

I have spent four days trying to make this thing connect to WiFi. It connects, and I get 20Mbps instead of around 300Mbps, despite every other device in the house having no problem. I hate it, and at this point, I'm putting Windows on it in the hopes that maybe it works better than a paperweight.
#32
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Steam Deck > General Discussions > Topic Details
Date Posted: Nov 24, 2022 @ 3:00pm
Posts: 32

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