How to Install Windows Drivers on Your Steam Deck OLED

Steam Deck pictured in low light | how to install windows on steam deck oled
Credit: Credit: Valve| https://www.steamdeck.com/en/ |Fair use for promotional and news purposes
By Nikola PajticWriter

Steam Deck pictured in low light | how to install windows on steam deck oled
Credit: Credit: Valve| https://www.steamdeck.com/en/ |Fair use for promotional and news purposes

Released in 2022, the Steam Deck Oled is an improved version of the popular gaming handheld from Valve. It comes equipped with SteamOs, a Linux-based system light on storage and memory that improves the overall gaming experience.

And so far, the SteamOs has supported games .exe files only through Proton. Installing Windows would allow for a more native gaming experience, especially with PC Game Pass titles.

While there was no official Windows support for Steam Deck Oled, the latest Valve update has changed everything for gaming enthusiasts. In this guide, we will show you how to install Windows drivers on Steam Deck Oled to enjoy the full benefits of the experience.

A Step by Step Guide to Installing Windows on Your Steam Deck Oled

Steam Deck Oled Drivers
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Credit: Steam
Steam Deck Oled Windows Drivers

Ever since Valve released Windows drivers for the Steam Deck OLED late last week, the whole process is now much more straightforward. However, there are still a few prerequisites to meet:

  • SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta or later: Make sure that your Steam Deck is updated to this version for optimal Bluetooth functionality.
  • Windows 11 ISO: You'll need a bootable Windows 11 installation media.
  • Recovery drive: A USB drive to create a recovery image.

Now that you know what you need to install Windows on Steam Deck Oled, here is how to do it:

  1. Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with a Windows 11 installation image.
  2. Restart your Steam Deck and access the boot menu (usually by pressing a specific key during startup).
  3. Select the boot option for your recovery drive.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11 on your Steam Deck's internal storage.
  5. Download the necessary drivers from Valve's official website. Install the drivers for APU, SD Card Reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Audio.

The Drawbacks

While this is generally fantastic news for Steam Deck Oled users, there are a few limitations for now.

For instance, audio-only works through plugged-in headphones or Bluetooth. Built-in speaker support is in development. Moreover, installing Windows will erase all data on your Steam Deck. Remember to back up your important files before proceeding.

This is all you need to know about adding Windows drivers to your Steam Deck Oled. Unfortunately, dual-boot is yet unavailable, but we will keep you updated as or when this changes.

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