How to Install Windows on Steam Deck (Step-by-Step Guide)

Windows runs well on the Steam Deck, it’s full Windows 11, which means access to every PC game, every launcher, and every app. The trade-off is that the setup requires downloading drivers from multiple places and the experience isn’t as polished as SteamOS. Here’s how to do it correctly.

Before You Start

You have two options for running Windows on Steam Deck:

• Dual boot: Windows and SteamOS coexist on the same drive. You choose which OS to boot at startup.
• Windows-only: You wipe SteamOS and install Windows on the full drive.

Dual boot is recommended for most people, it preserves your SteamOS install and lets you return to it if needed. This guide covers dual boot.

What you need before starting:

• A USB-C hub with a USB-A port (or a USB-C flash drive)
• A USB flash drive (16GB minimum)
• A keyboard and mouse connected via USB or Bluetooth
• Rufus (Windows tool for creating bootable drives), run this from a PC, not the Deck
• The Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official website

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO

Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 on a PC. Download the Windows 11 ISO (not the installation assistant, you want the ISO file). Select your language and confirm. The download is around 5,6GB.

Step 2: Download Steam Deck Windows Drivers

Valve provides official Windows drivers for the Steam Deck. Download all of them from the Steam Deck support page before you start, you’ll need them after Windows installs. The drivers you need:

• APU driver (AMD graphics)
• Wi-Fi driver
• Bluetooth driver
• SD card reader driver
• Audio driver

Save all five drivers to the same USB flash drive you’ll use for the Windows install, in a separate folder called “Drivers.”

Step 3: Create the Bootable USB Drive with Rufus

On your PC, download and open Rufus. Insert your USB flash drive. In Rufus:

1. Select your USB drive under Device
2. Click “Select” and point it to the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded
3. Leave partition scheme as GPT and file system as NTFS
4. Under “Windows User Experience,” check “Remove requirement for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0”, the Steam Deck doesn’t have a TPM chip
5. Click Start and wait for it to complete

Step 4: Shrink the SteamOS Partition

Switch to your Steam Deck. Go to Desktop Mode (Steam button → Power → Switch to Desktop). Open Konsole (the terminal app).

The Steam Deck’s internal drive is usually 512GB or 1TB. You need to create space for Windows. A Windows partition needs at least 64GB, 128GB is more practical if you plan to install games. Use KDE Partition Manager (available in the Discover store) to shrink the home partition and create unallocated space for Windows.

Step 5: Boot from the USB Drive

Connect your USB hub and insert the flash drive. Shut down the Steam Deck. Hold the Volume Down button and press the Power button simultaneously. This opens the boot manager. Select your USB drive from the boot menu.

Step 6: Install Windows 11

The Windows installer will launch. When you reach the disk selection screen:

1. Select the unallocated space you created in Step 4
2. Click “New” to create a partition in that space
3. Select it and click Next

Do NOT select the existing SteamOS partitions, you’ll wipe your SteamOS install. Only use the unallocated space.

Windows will install and restart several times. During setup, skip the Microsoft account requirement by selecting “Domain join instead” when prompted, this lets you create a local account without an internet connection.

Step 7: Install All Drivers

After Windows boots for the first time, nothing will work correctly, no audio, no Wi-Fi, no touchpad gestures. Open File Explorer, navigate to your USB drive’s Drivers folder, and install each driver in this order:

1. APU driver (graphics, installs AMD software)
2. Wi-Fi driver (connects to internet)
3. Bluetooth driver
4. SD card reader driver
5. Audio driver (installs after restart)

Restart after each driver install. After all five are installed, the Steam Deck functions normally in Windows, touchscreen, trackpads, Wi-Fi, audio, and the built-in controls all work.

Step 8: Install Steam and Gaming Software

Download Steam from steampowered.com. Sign in and enable Big Picture Mode for a controller-friendly interface. Install Xbox app for Game Pass, Epic Games Launcher if needed, or any other PC gaming client. The Deck’s controls work as an Xbox controller in Windows, so most launchers recognize it immediately.

How to Switch Between Windows and SteamOS

To boot into SteamOS from Windows: open Start → Restart. Hold Volume Down as the Deck restarts. Select SteamOS from the boot menu.

To set a default OS so you don’t have to use the boot menu every time: you can install a boot manager like rEFInd, which provides a graphical dual-boot menu at startup.

Known Limitations of Windows on Steam Deck

Windows on Steam Deck is worth it if you need anti-cheat game support (Warzone, VALORANT) or access to non-Steam launchers. For everything else, SteamOS is the better experience.

Also see: What Is Proton on Steam Deck? | How to Increase Steam Deck FPS | Steam Deck Tips and Tricks