Do you have to buy Windows for Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck doesn't support dual booting at the moment, so you'll need to choose either Windows or SteamOS if you want a permanent solution.

Does the Steam Deck come with Windows?

In an update released in spring 2022, the Steam Deck allows players to install and run Windows OS 10 and 11 on the device. Unfortunately, installing Windows on the Steam Deck's SSD will mean one has to wipe their device's SSD.

How do I add Windows to my Steam Deck?

Insert the USB drive with the Windows drivers from Valve into the USB-C hub, and connect the hub to the Steam Deck. Install all the necessary drivers from the USB drive, then restart the Steam Deck. When it reboots, you'll note that the Steam Deck will be in Portrait Mode.

Can I install Windows games on Steam Deck?

Yes, you can run Windows games on the Steam Deck. It's a great option for gamers who want to play their favorite titles on a portable device. The Steam Deck has a powerful graphics processor that can handle even the most demanding games.

Is Steam Deck performance better on Windows or SteamOS?

I installed Windows on Steam Deck and I regret it

Is Windows 11 worth it on Steam Deck?

Installing Windows 11 on Valve's Steam Deck can help you gain full access to your Steam games library, including the titles that are not natively compatible with SteamOS. It also effectively converts the Deck into a full-fledged PC.

Is Steam Deck cheaper than a PC?

The Steam Deck is much cheaper

The two more expensive options have faster storage and come with extras like a carry case, an anti-glare screen, and exclusive community profile extras. You aren't going to get a desktop gaming PC of any calibre at those sorts of prices.

Are all PC games playable on Steam Deck?

Not every Steam game is compatible yet, but most are.

Can I play old PC games on Steam Deck?

While the Steam Deck is aimed at gamers who want to play newer titles on the go, the platform is just as capable of powering retro games. To be fair, thanks to a resurgence of video game preservation, Steam naturally offers plenty of old titles, most of which are compatible with the Steam Deck.

Is Steam Deck worth it?

Playing With a Full Deck

Still, the Steam Deck is a great piece of hardware, and one that's finding its stride nearly half a year after its initial launch. The handheld is powerful for its size and price, and despite being a Linux-based device, it runs many excellent Windows games extremely well.

Is Windows OS free?

It's free. But only Windows 10 PCs that are running the most current version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum hardware specifications will be able to upgrade. You can check to see if you have the latest updates for Windows 10 in Settings/Windows Update.

Can you install other OS on Steam Deck?

In addition to SteamOS, which arrives as the preconfigured OS with the delivery of each device, Steam Deck will allow other operating systems to be installed. Valve has made official the drivers required to install Windows on Steam Deck.

How much does a Windows 11 cost?

Buy Windows from Microsoft: $139 - $199

You can get Windows 10 Home (opens in new tab) or Windows 11 Home for $139 (opens in new tab). And you can get Windows 10 Pro (opens in new tab) or Windows 11 Pro for $199 (opens in new tab). You can get these either as downloads or on USB drives.

Is the Steam Deck just a portable PC?

The Steam Deck is technically a handheld PC, which means it can theoretically support every game in Valve's library, though this isn't the case out of the box.

What OS does Steam Deck come with?

It is an x86-64-v3 device running SteamOS, with integrated gaming inputs designed to play the full Steam library, including Windows games via the Linux-based Proton compatibility layer.

Is Windows 11 still free?

Can I upgrade for free? Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free. Due to the size of the download, however, ISP fees may apply for downloads that occur over metered connections.

Which is better Steam Deck or Switch?

But again, if you are first and foremost a Nintendo gamer, then stick with the Switch if you don't already have one. If you're primarily a PC gamer and own all or most of your games on Steam, then the Steam Deck makes more sense.

How long does Steam Deck battery last?

The battery has a 40Wh capacity, which is pretty good for something this size. But the AMD APU inside is pretty powerful, which means, in the right circumstances, it can destroy the battery life. Valve's initial claims are a vague 2-8 hours, but it's perfectly possible to drain it in less than two hours.

Is the 512GB Steam Deck worth it?

If your budget can handle it, go for the $649 512GB Deck because it's undoubtedly the best. And unless you're cash strapped, avoid the $399 64GB model due to its slower run and boot speeds. All that said, you're likely to enjoy whichever Steam Deck you decide to buy. Valve has created something special.

What games are not compatible with Steam Deck?

Should I buy PC or Steam Deck?

PC vs Steam Deck - Winner

If you value portability and want to play less intense games, Steam Deck could be the right choice for you. However, a gaming PC is undoubtedly better if you're after style, performance, and power.

Is Steam Deck $5?

There are three different Steam Decks being released. The starter unit is $399 and comes with 64GB of storage. For $529, the storage increases to 256GB and uses an NVMe SSD, which Valve says is faster than the eMMC storage of the cheaper model. The third Steam Deck has a price tag of $649.

Is 64GB Steam Deck worth it?

If you're planning on only playing indie games or emulated games up to PS1, the 64GB is more than enough storage. Meanwhile, if you've got the money saved and don't want to think about storage ever again, go with the 512GB version.

Do I need Windows 10 or Windows 11 for Steam Deck?

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 are supported. For Windows 11, make sure you have the latest OS update (in order to get the latest BIOS with fTPM support) before installing.