Rufus for Steam Deck: Install Custom OS

There are always new changes happening in the gaming business, so fans are always looking for new ways to make their gaming experience better. One of the new things that has come to light lately is that Windows 11 can now be installed on the Steam Deck. Gamers will be able to access a lot of different games and apps thanks to this creative effort, which will make their gaming experience even better.

The Valve Corporation-made portable gaming gadget called the Steam Deck was a big hit when it first came out. A lot of fans love it because they can play PC games while they're on the go thanks to its powerful hardware and portability. Installing Windows 11 on the Steam Deck will let users use the operating system's features, which are already great for work and games.

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.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

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.