How to Install Windows on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED, both handheld consoles, come with Valve's carefully crafted SteamOS operating system. This Linux-based system is not only lightweight and convenient, but also allows you to seamlessly experience the vast array of games available on the Steam platform. But if you're not too keen on SteamOS and are looking for a more familiar operating experience, then take the plunge and try installing the Windows operating system! This will transform your Steam Deck into a fully functional PC, allowing you to enjoy the convenience and efficiency of Windows while gaming. Whether it's the ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go, they both offer similar possibilities to make your handheld device more versatile.

Everything you need to know before getting started

Steam Deck is a popular handheld gaming device that previews the SteamOS operating system developed by Valve, a Linux-based system optimized for gaming.While Valve supports the installation of the Windows system on Steam Deck and provides some necessary drivers, Valve's technical support team may not be able to help you if you encounter problems while installing or using it.Installing a Windows system is a very technical process, so if you are not a tech enthusiast or have no experience installing Windows on your PC, we recommend that you consider it carefully.

There are several different ways to install the Windows system, suitable for different users' needs and technical level.For most users, the easiest way is to install it with a microSD card, so you can double boot without interfering with your original SteamOS system.In addition, you can choose to narrow the partition of SteamOS on the SSD to install the Windows system on the same device to coexist with the two systems.If you want a more thorough transformation, you can also choose to completely erase SteamOS and install Windows 11 on your device.

However, there are a few important things to consider before you decide to install Windows. First, a Windows system installed through a microSD card may not perform much better than a system directly installed on an SSD, and long-term use may affect the life of a MicroSD card, depending primarily on the hardware requirements of the game you play. Most importantly, if you choose to install Windows on an SD card, performance may be poor and the life of the SD card may be shortened.Of course, this depends on how high your game's requirements for graphics.Other matters include:

• You don't need to replace SteamOS with Windows, you can dual-boot both operating systems (which we recommend doing)
• You'll have to purchase a Windows license
• You need access to a Windows PC
• You'll have to download and use AOMEI Partition Assistant on a primary Windows PC
• To dual-boot Windows off an SD card, you'll need a microSD card. We prefer a size that's 32GB or bigger. 512GB is ideal to have space for games
• If your PC doesn't have a microSD card slot, you can buy a USB-A to microSD card reader
• If you want to replace SteamOS with Windows, you'll need a separate USB drive bigger than 16GB to install Windows from
• You might want to consider a USB-C docking station with two USB-A ports so you can use a wired keyboard and mouse during setup

How to install Windows on Steam Deck?

To install Windows on Steam Deck, you can try to burn ISO to USB drive and make the USB bootable. But for this feature to work, you also need a USB drive that is bigger than 32GB and approved by Microsoft. If you don't have one of these, you won't be able to make a bootable USB from ISO. To make a bootable USB that is more flexible, you might want to use a more powerful tool. We suggest that you use AOMEI Partition Assistant here.

This is better than Microsoft's "Windows To Go" because it lets you make a bootable USB drive for all versions of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 (32 bit and 64 bit). Besides, it not need a required USB drive bigger than 32GB. It even allows you to make a bootable USB drive from an ISO or system disc and a bootable Windows USB drive with the current system.

In this section, we will take how to make a bootable USB from ISO with AOMEI Partition Assistant as an example.

Preparation work:

① Prepare an empty USB drive. To speed up the process, a USB 3.0 drive and computer with a USB3.0 port are recommended.

② Download the Windows 10 ISO files from the Microsoft official site.

③ Download the AOMEI Partition Assistant first.

Step 1. Plug the prepared USB drive in your Windows 10 computer and verify it is detected successfully. Run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click “Tools” in the top toolbar, and choose “Windows To Go Creator”.

Step 2. Here we choose the first option "Create Windows ToGo for personal computer".

Step 3. Choose "Create Windows ToGo with system disc/ISO" and select the prepared ISO files, then hit on "Next".

Step 4. In the subsequent window, choose the USB you plan to use. Then click the "Proceed" option to start making a bootable USB from ISO.

If you have don’t have prepared Windows ISO files, you can choose the second method in "Step 3" to create Windows bootable USB with current system.

If your OS won't start up normally, you can use "Make Bootable Media" function to make a bootable USB drive on a computer that is already up and running.

Then you boot your computer with a boot failure from the bootable drive, To repair the startup problems, you can try to rebuild MBR on the system drive, or check bad sectors on the main hard drive.

Conclusion

The Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED are great handheld gaming devices that work with Valve's SteamOS. Installing Windows, on the other hand, can turn the device into a fully functional PC that can do a lot of different things. The process is complicated and needs careful thought, but it makes dual-booting or replacing SteamOS entirely possible. Users can easily get through this process if they follow the clear instructions and use tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant. If you want to get the most out of your Steam Deck, you should weigh the pros and cons of both dual-booting and installing Windows for full functionality.

FAQs

1. Can I dual-boot SteamOS and Windows on the Steam Deck?

Yes, you can dual-boot SteamOS and Windows on the Steam Deck. This allows you to switch between the two operating systems without losing access to either. Using a microSD card for the Windows installation is a common method to achieve this setup.

2. What do I need to install Windows on my Steam Deck?

To install Windows, you'll need a few key items: a Windows license, access to a Windows PC, a USB drive (at least 16GB for installation), a microSD card (32GB or larger for dual-booting), and the AOMEI Partition Assistant software. Additionally, a USB-C docking station with USB-A ports can be helpful for using a wired keyboard and mouse during the setup.

3. Are there any risks to installing Windows on the Steam Deck?

Installing Windows on the Steam Deck can be risky if you're not familiar with the process. It can potentially void your warranty, and if not done correctly, you might encounter performance issues or even damage the hardware. It's crucial to follow detailed instructions carefully and consider the implications before proceeding.

4. How does performance compare between running Windows on an SSD versus a microSD card?

Running Windows on an SSD generally offers better performance compared to a microSD card. While using a microSD card for Windows can be convenient for dual-booting, it might result in slower performance and could shorten the lifespan of the card due to frequent read/write operations, especially with demanding games.

5. What are the advantages of using AOMEI Partition Assistant for this process?

AOMEI Partition Assistant simplifies the process of creating a bootable USB drive from an ISO file, making it easier to install Windows on your Steam Deck. It supports all versions of Windows and does not require a USB drive larger than 32GB. The tool also offers additional features like rebuilding MBR and checking for bad sectors, which can be useful if you encounter startup issues.