How to Use Steam Deck as a Desktop PC

The Steam Deck runs a full Linux desktop. Press the Steam button, go to Power, and select Switch to Desktop. You are now running KDE Plasma, a complete desktop environment. You can install apps, browse the web, manage files, and use the Deck like a small PC.

Here is what you can do in Desktop Mode and how to get the most out of it.

How to Enter and Exit Desktop Mode

To enter: Press the Steam button, scroll to Power, select Switch to Desktop. The screen switches to a KDE desktop within a few seconds.

To exit: Click the Return to Gaming Mode shortcut on the desktop, or open the application menu and select Return to Gaming Mode.

In Desktop Mode, the trackpads act as a mouse, the right trackpad controls the cursor, and the right trigger acts as a left-click. You can connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for easier navigation.

What You Can Do in Desktop Mode

Install Non-Steam Games

Open the Discover software center or use the terminal to install apps from outside Steam. You can install Battle.net, Epic Games Launcher, GOG Galaxy, or any other game client. Add the games back to your Steam library as non-Steam games so they appear in Gaming Mode.

Install Emulators

EmuDeck installs best from Desktop Mode. Download the EmuDeck installer from emudeck.com, run it, and it sets up RetroArch, Dolphin, RPCS3, and all other emulators automatically. Copy your ROMs to the correct folders and they show up in Gaming Mode as a game library.

Use It as a PC

Connect the Deck to a dock, plug in a monitor via HDMI, add a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you have a functional Linux desktop PC. Firefox, LibreOffice, and most Linux applications run fine. Useful for light productivity while traveling.

Manage Files

The Dolphin file manager (not the emulator) lets you browse and manage files on the internal storage, microSD card, and connected USB drives. Move ROMs, delete old saves, or copy files from a USB drive.

Install Decky Loader Plugins

Decky Loader installs from Desktop Mode and adds plugins to Gaming Mode. ProtonDB Badges, PowerTools for CPU/GPU management, and CSS Loader for visual themes all run through Decky. Install it once from Desktop Mode and it is available everywhere.

Change System Settings

System settings in KDE cover display scaling, Bluetooth pairing, Wi-Fi networks, audio outputs, and accessibility options. Some settings not exposed in Gaming Mode are accessible here.

Tips for Desktop Mode

Connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse before doing anything intensive. Navigating KDE with only the trackpads works, but it slows you down. Any Bluetooth keyboard pairs quickly through the system tray.

The virtual keyboard is available in Desktop Mode but is awkward for serious typing. The Steam + X shortcut opens it in Gaming Mode, but in Desktop Mode use the keyboard icon in the taskbar.

Do not install random software from unknown sources. SteamOS is a read-only system by default, but Desktop Mode runs as a writable environment. Treat it like any Linux machine and be careful about what you run.

Is Desktop Mode Stable

Desktop Mode is stable for the tasks described above. Valve did not design it as a primary PC replacement, but it handles light productivity, emulator setup, and file management reliably. The main limitation is the Deck’s 16GB RAM and the fact that SteamOS updates occasionally reset changes made outside the read-only system partitions.

Also see: How to Install EmuDeck on Steam Deck for a step-by-step setup guide.