Install Windows 11 on Your Steam Deck: A Complete Guide

The Steam Deck is an unassuming champion of portable gaming. Yet, for all its power, there’s a small hitch—it runs on Linux by default. Now, while Linux provides a stellar gaming experience, it doesn't fully support certain features, notably those essential for making the most of platforms like Xbox Game Pass or running non-Steam titles such as those from Epic Games. You get the picture: eventually, Windows enters the chat. If you’re itching to make your beloved Steam Deck even more versatile, installing Windows 11 is surprisingly straightforward. You won’t even mess up its native Linux-based system. Let’s dive into turning your Steam Deck into a dual-platform powerhouse by using an external USB-C SSD.

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Why Install Windows 11 on Your Steam Deck?​

Sure, the Steam Deck is built to work seamlessly with SteamOS (a Linux-based operating system), but installing Windows unlocks access to a wider pool of games and services.
Here are some benefits of installing Windows:

• Game Pass Compatibility: Access cloud gaming and a vast library of Game Pass titles.
• Epic Games Store: Download popular exclusives and non-Steam games effortlessly.
• Versatility: Gain the advantage of using Windows-based apps, emulators, and software that aren’t Linux-friendly.

And here’s the cherry on top: installing Windows on an external USB-C SSD means you don’t jeopardize SteamOS or void your warranty. It’s essentially a “plug and play” alternative OS.

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What You'll Need to Get Started​

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, ensure you have:

1. Steam Deck (fully charged—we don’t want low-battery roadblocks).
2. A USB-C SSD: This will serve as your external Windows drive.
3. Internet Connection: For downloading Windows and required drivers.
4. A PC or Laptop: To prepare and configure the SSD.
5. Software:
   • Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's official site.
   • Rufus, a tool to create bootable drives.
   • Steam Deck’s Windows drivers (available on Steam's support page).

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Step-By-Step: Installing Windows 11 on an External USB-C SSD​

Here’s how you can work your magic and port Windows 11 into your Steam Deck with ease:

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1. Download the Windows 11 ISO​

You’ll start by getting the Windows 11 installation file:

1. Head to Microsoft's website and navigate to their Windows 11 download page.
2. Locate the section “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.”
3. Select “Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)” and choose a language.
4. Click 64-bit download, and wait as the ISO downloads to your computer.

Pro Tip: The file can be hefty, so be patient—it’s worth every megabyte.

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2. Turn Your USB-C SSD into a Bootable Drive with Rufus​

Here’s where the magic of Rufus comes into play:

1. Connect your USB-C SSD to your PC or laptop.
2. Download and install Rufus (make sure it’s the latest version).
3. Launch Rufus and follow these steps:
   • Click the “SELECT” button to choose the Windows 11 ISO file.
   • Use the “Device” menu to pick your SSD.
   • Check the box for List USB Hard Drives (so your SSD is recognized).
   • Under “Image Option,” select Windows to Go.
   • Hit Start, and when prompted, select “Windows 11 Home” or the edition of your choice.

Voilà! In minutes, Rufus will transform your SSD into a bootable Windows drive.

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3. Download and Prepare Steam Deck Windows Drivers​

Drivers ensure your Windows system runs smoothly on the Steam Deck.

1. Go to Steam’s official Windows Resources support page.
2. Locate the drivers specific to the Steam Deck and download them all (they’ll come as .zip files).
3. Extract these files into a new folder and copy that folder onto the root directory of your newly created USB-C SSD.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip this step; missing drivers can lead to poor performance or no functionality for key features like Wi-Fi or audio on Windows.

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4. Boot Windows 11 on Your Steam Deck​

Now for the big moment—running Windows on your Steam Deck:

1. With the Steam Deck turned off, plug in the USB-C SSD.
2. Hold the volume down button and press the power button to turn on the Deck.
3. You’ll be directed to a boot menu; select your SSD as the boot drive.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the initialization.
   • When asked for a network connection, select “I don’t have internet” for a quicker setup.
5. Witness the birth of a new ecosystem: once the process finishes, you’ll land on the Windows 11 home page.

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5. Adjust Display Orientation​

The Steam Deck uses a different display orientation than traditional computers. Here’s how to fix that:

1. Use the left trigger to emulate a right-click.
2. In the drop-down menu, select Display Settings.
3. Navigate to Scale & Layout > Display Orientation and switch it to Landscape mode.

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6. Install Steam Deck Windows Drivers​

1. Use File Explorer to locate the folder with the downloaded drivers.
2. Open each driver installer, one by one, to finalize the setup.
3. Reboot the Steam Deck to activate the new drivers and ensure everything works as intended.

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Epic Results: What Can You Do Now?​

With Windows 11 successfully installed on your Steam Deck’s external SSD, you’ve unlocked a world of possibilities! You can now:

• Play Game Pass titles directly through the Xbox App.
• Open up third-party game clients like the Epic Games Store.
• Run emulations, mods, or any other programs that Windows supports but Linux does not.

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Downsides to Consider​

Installing Windows has its quirks:

• Performance Limitations: Games designed for SteamOS may not run as efficiently on Windows.
• SSD Dependence: Since the OS is external, unplugging the SSD will "remove" Windows until reconnected.
• Driver Glitches: While Valve has provided Windows drivers for the Deck, some features, like trackpad sensitivity, might not behave identically to SteamOS.

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Closing Thoughts: Making the Best of Both Worlds​

For $399–$649, the Steam Deck already brings desktop-level gaming to the palm of your hand. Adding Windows 11 broadens its horizons even further. With careful setup and an external SSD, you can toggle between the native SteamOS and Windows whenever you please—a tech-savvy nod to gaming versatility.
If you’re the kind who likes brewing your coffee while your Deck boots up a 100GB Game Pass title, well, you just found your happy place. Follow the guide here, and rest assured, your Steam Deck is ready to conquer both its Steam-native game library and the vast, limitless expanse of PC gaming.
Got questions, concerns, or stories of success? Drop them in the comments or share with our forum members—we’d love to hear how it worked for you!

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Source: Epic Dope Easy Guide to Install Windows 11 on Steam Deck