The Steam Deck has added Windows drivers, meaning Valve’s handheld gaming PC will be able to boot a Windows operating system. With some caveats, of course.
Currently, the Steam Deck uses a custom version of SteamOS, but Valve has said in the past that Windows should be a viable OS for users who are interested in it. With the additional drivers for GPU, WiFi, and Bluetooth, Steam Deck is now able to better boot the popular operating system.
In a blog, Valve notes that for now, users need to perform a full Windows install. While dual-booting is not out of the question, the SteamOS dual-boot wizard is not ready yet. Similarly, only Windows 10 is available on the Steam Deck as Windows 11 requires a new BIOS that Valve is still currently working on.
Audio drivers are still being worked on with AMD but Bluetooth and USB-C audio should work with Windows on the Steam Deck.
Valve warns that Windows on Deck support is not available and that these resources are being provided as-is. If you need to return to the default SteamOS Valve is providing recovery instructions here.
While Windows on Deck is still a ways away from being fully realized, this should open up the Steam Deck to play more games than just the ones on Steam, especially games that use anti-cheat software.
The Steam Deck is a powerful device, but it very much feels like a device in progress. Check out IGN’s Steam Deck review here and our rundown of unexpected things you can do with Valve’s newest handheld.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
