Should You Install Windows on Steam Deck

In comparison to Nintendo Switch, Valve’s new gaming console Steam Deck, launching this February 25, 2022, will be an open platform that will allow you to do whatever you want. It is a portable gaming PC that will effortlessly link to your Steam games library. It is very similar to Nintendo Switch for PC gaming, except that, unlike Nintendo’s portable console, the Steam Deck will allow users to install multiple operating systems and there will be no controls on installed software. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss whether you should install Windows on Steam Deck or not.

How to install Windows on Steam Deck

Valve is working on Steam Deck, a full-fledged computer with a portable console form factor for gaming. The new console of Valve is scheduled to release at the end of this month. The device will be sold with preinstalled Steam OS but, as confirmed by Valve themselves, Steam Deck is a PC and you can install third-party software and operating systems as well.

In short, users will be able to choose to switch to Windows and open up to a world of possibilities on Steam Deck. It will also allow you to do various things such as alt-tab out of games and even enter a web browser where you can watch streaming videos.

Since it has been confirmed that you can completely erase the preinstalled SteamOS on Steam Deck, you can easily replace it with Windows 10 if you want. While it will hardly have any problems with your gaming performance (as this new version of SteamOD is optimized for Steam Deck hardware), it means that you can install any app you normally use on a PC as well.

In the steps given below, find out how to install Windows 10 on Steam Deck:

1. First, download Windows 10 ISO file.
2. After that create a Windows 10 bootable USB drive. Once the bootable drive is ready, it is now time to install Windows 10 on Steam Deck.
3. Turn on your Steam Deck and go into the BIOS menu by pressing the particular Function key on the console.
4. You need to plug the Windows 10 bootable USB drive on Steam Deck.
5. Next, you need to search for Boot options and select the USB boot option at the top.
6. Once the USB boot option is selected as the first option, just save the settings and restart your Steam Deck.
7. After restart, the Steam Deck will now boot into the bootable USB drive and you will come across Windows 10 set-up screen.
8. Just set the language and region setting during the setup of Windows 10 and everything else by following the instructions.
9. Once the setup has been completed, after a reboot your Steam Deck will be ready to use with Windows 10 installed on it.

That is everything you need to know about whether you should install Windows on Steam Deck. While you are here, do check out Steam Deck’s Release Date, Price, Specifications and more, and also Steam Deck vs Nintendo Switch vs PS5 vs Xbox.