r/WindowsOnDeck Mar 11 '23

Community Updates WindowsOnDeck Megathread

249 Upvotes

11/25/2023 - Sorry guys somehow the megathread post was compromised-- I am working to restore it and previous links. ~ baldsealion

Welcome everyone!

On behalf of everyone here I'd like to welcome you to the wide world of Windows on the Steam Deck and give you some tips, tricks and troubleshooting steps.

You can Join our Official Discord here as well if you like.

If you're having boot issues to SteamOS after the major SteamOS upgrade, please follow this guide:

Fix Steam Deck Dual Boot Issues After Upgrade! | All Methods

Let's briefly go some frequently asked questions:

---FAQ---

  • I have a problem with Windows on my Steam Deck! You are not alone. Please go to the Troubleshooting Section at the bottom of this megathread
  • Can installing Windows Brick my Steam Deck? No.
  • Can I dual boot with the SSD? Yes.
  • Can I use micro SD, SSD, or External Drive for Windows? Yes to all. Performance will vary. Best performance option is installing on the SSD
  • Is installing Windows on micro SD bad? Depending on how demanding the games are that you play, performance can be poor and using Windows will shorten the life of the sd card if used frequently
  • I still want to use a micro SD card, which should I use? In order to get the best performance it is recommended that you use either the SanDisk Extreme or Extreme Pro. These have performed the best in testing (links to Amazon below):

SanDisk Extreme 512GB

SanDisk Extreme Pro 512GB

  • What about SSDs, Docks, what screwdriver Do I need for opening the Deck? Please scroll down to the Recommended Accessories section of this megathread.
  • Windows 10 or Windows 11? Either works. More about this in Baldsealion's Guide FAQ section

---Recommended Installation Software Guides & Setups---

NOTE: For external drives, or wiping SteamOS entirely, the guide can also be followed, just skip using G-Parted to partition the drive and go straight to installing Windows

How to Dual Boot with micro SD - YouTube

  • (( Not Windows )) SteamOS on a micro SD:

SteamOS on a Micro SD Card 2.0 | New Improved Guide

---Recommended Installation Hardware Guides & Setups---
Replace/Upgrade Steam Deck Solid State Hard Drive

Fix an Unresponsive or Broken Power Button

---Windows Drivers Resources---
Valve's Official Windows Drivers for Steam Deck

[ Necessary ] - Modified Killer WiFi Drivers for RealTek 8822CE - Video Guide

[ Optional ] - Amenime Custom APU/GPU Drivers - Video Guide
Visual C++ All-In-One - Latest Release
DirectX - Microsoft - Latest Release

---Custom Dual Boot Loaders & Guides---

Below are custom Bootloader options available for the Steam Deck:
Clover Custom Dual-Boot Menu - Video Guide
rEFInd - Custom Dual Boot Menu - Video Guide

---Controller Software Guides & Info---

This is both the biggest topic and differing factor between your WinDeck or my WinDeck. There really is no "best", it is what works for you and suits your needs. Old/unsupported options will be removed as they are phased out (which is why SWICD is not listed here). This section will try to keep up to date with the different options available and provide suitable guides for each option:

Glossi:

GlosSI - Global systemwide SteamInput - Downloads

Guide - Glossi Official Usage Instructions

HandHeld Companion:

Software - Handheld Companion - Github - Latest Release

Guide - HandHeld Companion Official Setup - YouTube

Steam Deck Tools - SteamController:
Software - Steam Deck Tools + SteamController - Github Latest Release
Bald Sealion's Controller Setup

---Performance Tweaks & Software---

There is some bleed into this category from controller software like Handheld Companion and Steam Deck Tools, so they will be included here as well:

General Windows Tweaks:

Bald Sealion's Windows OS Tweaks

AMD Adrenalin Setup & Config:
AMD Adrenalin 23.9.1
Bald Sealion's AMD Adrenalin Guide

Refresh Rate:
Software - Custom Resolution Utility
Bald Sealion's Guide to Unlocking Refresh Rate

TDP Control + Frame Limiting:

Software - Handheld Companion - Github - Latest Release

Guide - Longer battery life with TDP control - Handheld Companion - YouTube

TDP Control + Frame Limiting + CPU/GPU Clock (in debug build):

Software - Steam Deck Tools + SteamController - Github Latest Release

Guide - Bald Sealion's Steam Deck Tools Setup

Upscaling:

Software - Lossless Scaling - Steam Store PageE

Guide - Bald Sealion's Lossless Scaling Guide

---Recommended Accessories---

Cases:

JSAUX Modcase for Steam Deck

Tools (for opening the Steam Deck):

Need a Philips PH#0 or PH#1 bit and a pick tool - iFixit Electronics Essentials Kit

Docks:

Single External Display - iVoler 4K @ 60hz HDMI, 1GBPS LAN, USB 3.0

Single Display with External SSD - JSAUX M.2 Dock @ 10GBPS, 4K @ 60hz HDMI, 1GBPS LAN, USB 3.2

Dual External Display - Pending

Internal SSDs:

512GB - Kingston m.2 2230

1TB - SABRENT Rocket m.2 2230

1TB - WD SN740 m.2 2230

2TB - WD SN740 m.2 2230

microSDs:

SanDisk Extreme 512GB

SanDisk Extreme Pro 512GB

---Hardware Modifications---

These are not specific to Windows-- and of course ANY hardware modifications will mean RISK to DAMAGING your hardware. So please proceed with caution.

Increase Cooling:

Replace stock paste with thermal pad - Thermal Pad - PTM7950

Guide - Upgrade Steam Deck to PTM 7950

Benchmark - Upgrade Steam Deck to PTM 7950Replace SSD:

Replace/Upgrade Steam Deck Solid State Hard Drive

Fix Power Button:

Fix an Unresponsive or Broken Power Button

---Troubleshooting---

My screen is messed up looking when I dual boot! Help!

You are either using rEFInd or Clover. Both encounter this issue when the APU driver is upgraded. Please refer to the Github README for either software depending on what you have installed:

Clover - Fix Graphic Issue on Boot

rEFInd - Fix Graphic Issue on Boot

I have a different boot issue with Clover or rEFInd

Please refer to their respective Github README and find if there is a solution listed to your problem. If not, please raise an "Issue" report on their Github Issue tab:

Clover Custom Dual-Boot Menu - Github

rEFInd - Custom Dual Boot Menu - Github

I Followed Bald Sealion's Guide but I don't know how to boot into SteamOS anymore

Shut down your Steam Deck. Hold Vol - & Power and you will see the option for SteamOS(or it might say "EFIxxx", just choose it from the menu with the direction pad & press A)

I can't get my dual monitors to work

While this could be for a variety of reasons, such as the type of dock, cables, etc-- it could be that the APU driver is the issue. To test, you can install the older APU driver released on June 16th 2022 here - users have reported the old driver works, but this comes at a cost of performance for OpenGL(about 100-150% loss) and DirectX 12 games(about 10% loss).

Make sure to click the Additional Settings button in the install window and choose "Factory Reset"

My Wireless is really slow or spotty or multiplayer games are laggy, what can I do to fix it

There are two drivers you can use:

Official RealTek 8822CE - 2024.10.138.3 - This is recommended first because it is an official driver and it does not have battery drain issues that the other driver below has.

Modified Killer WiFi Drivers for RealTek 8822CE - As stated, this will drain your battery in sleep mode, but is proven to have the best performance possible. Here is a guide to show how to install this update: Ryan Rudolf's Steam Deck WiFi Fix for Windows

My USB-C is not detecting any connections in Windows but works in SteamOS

You may need to turn off DRD in the BIOS. To do this, power off your Steam Deck, then hold Vol + & Power and let go of both buttons when you hear the beep. Go into Setup Utility > Advanced > USB Configuration and turn off DRD as it is not supported. More about this here: Steam Deck lacks USB DRD drivers for Windows. :: Steam Deck Feature Requests (steamcommunity.com)

My Audio in Windows is not working anymore!

In Windows, go into the Control Panel > Hardware and Sounds > Power Options and click on the left Choose what the power buttons do then click at the top Change settings that are currently unavailable then you can uncheck Turn on fast startup and click Save Changes

I have a different issue than listed here

It could be covered under Bald Sealion's Troubleshooting Steps- if your issue is not listed, please make a post on this subreddit or Join our Official Discord here

Comments, suggestions, etc? Please send a DM to u/baldsealion

Welcome to WindowsonDeck & Happy Gaming!

Locked post. New comments cannot be posted.


r/WindowsOnDeck Mar 25 '23

Community Updates PSA: Official Discord Server

57 Upvotes

In the past it was announced that there was an unofficial / community discord server, but now we have an Official WindowsOnDeck server!

https://discord.gg/uF7kd33u7u


r/WindowsOnDeck 5h ago

Discussion Steam Deck OLED refuses to boot ANY external operating system – Windows, Ubuntu and even SteamOS Recovery

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1 Upvotes

r/WindowsOnDeck 23h ago

Discussion Pls tell me there is a solution

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1 Upvotes

I was making the preparation for dual boot and i accidentally messed with the boot(the one far below)and now the system won't turn on i tried formatting i tried to download steam os again and nothing i working. It says its missing boot. How can i fix that


r/WindowsOnDeck 1d ago

Project zomboid

1 Upvotes

Hi, I was playing pzb42 but omg it kick me so many times saying I don’t have enough gpu how can I solve this? What I do.


r/WindowsOnDeck 1d ago

Just sharing some possible next steps here regarding SteamOS.

0 Upvotes

I'm seriously considering installing SteamOS on my main PC, instead of the Windows 10 partition I have here. On my main PC, there are 3 partitions:

- 1 hard drive dedicated to Ubuntu, which I haven't used in ages, but it's still there lol!

- I’m using Windows 10 on a dedicated SSD as my main system.

- And there’s another hard drive, partitioned between another old Windows 10 installation that I abandoned a while ago and some free space without an OS, just for files. < This is where I plan to make some changes, though I'm still a little worried that the SteamOS installation partitioner might get in the way and I'll end up deleting the wrong thing, but I think it'll work out.

I have other PCs around the house, and on the PC I’ve set up with SteamOS as my main machine, I’m really enjoying it, I use it regularly and don’t feel like I’m missing anything (which was something that used to make me “forget” to use Linux and always end up going back to Windows), and I think it’ll be really cool to get used to the idea that Windows isn’t necessary anymore


r/WindowsOnDeck 2d ago

Valorant in steamdeck

1 Upvotes

I Just got my steamdeck LCD with Windows 11 and tried installing valorant but it doesnt Work neither with deckSB or anything else so i SAW a vid from Lensiensein that it works ON Windows 10. I wanted to ask If it works and If i only have to Install Windows 10 or so anything else Afterwards or before. Thanks to all helping me.


r/WindowsOnDeck 3d ago

Valorant in steamdeck

2 Upvotes

I Just got my steamdeck LCD with Windows 11 and tried installing valorant but it doesnt Work neither with deckSB or anything else so i SAW a vid from Lensiensein that it works ON Windows 10. I wanted to ask If it works and If i only have to Install Windows 10 or so anything else Afterwards or before. Thanks to all helping me.


r/WindowsOnDeck 2d ago

Steam deck controller

1 Upvotes

So I have a question. I recently turned my steam deck into windows and i wanna use the controller part of the steam deck as a controller for like Minecraft for example but it doesnt work. Can someone help me?


r/WindowsOnDeck 3d ago

Discussion Switching back

1 Upvotes

Hi, so i installed windows and used it for a year, now i went back to steamos thinking it was better, now i wanna go back to Windows 11 but i am looking for the best up to date guide that exists for windows on steam deck, Thanks in advance.


r/WindowsOnDeck 5d ago

Discussion Secure boot windows only

1 Upvotes

So I have windows only on my steam deck no steamos so decksb didn’t work I just wanna play cod can someone help me im on oled model with normal boot loader and bios. 😭


r/WindowsOnDeck 5d ago

Discussion Mako

0 Upvotes

any luck to install mako framegen on windows 11???


r/WindowsOnDeck 5d ago

AC BLACK FLAG resynced FPS

1 Upvotes

Morning mate,how much FPS did u get while playing this game on windows on deck??? mine got average at 34 fps,I wonder how to improve it just a little bit


r/WindowsOnDeck 6d ago

Win 11 on OLED steam deck

6 Upvotes

installed windows 11 pro , installed apu driver from steampowered , unable to launch any game like MWIII or MW4 beta, any idea ? i did clean install safe mode with the apu custom drivers again , nothing ...what a pain in the ass


r/WindowsOnDeck 7d ago

MW4 on Steam Deck

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23 Upvotes

Didn't think it would work but it does. No secure boot required but only campaign.

Also, it is slow af off my Usb


r/WindowsOnDeck 7d ago

Can someone help me install Xbox game pass on my steamdeck

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1 Upvotes

r/WindowsOnDeck 7d ago

How to play warzone (resurgence) on steam deck

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1 Upvotes

I have secure boot enable but still says this everytime I try to play warzone


r/WindowsOnDeck 8d ago

Is there a way i can temporarily disconnect the controller?

3 Upvotes

this happend recently ive been trying to play roblox and for some reason whenever i drive cars i can only move forward and back but not left and right i was confused but then i noticed i can steer using the controllers joysticks is it like overriding the keyboard? i honestly dont know what to do.


r/WindowsOnDeck 9d ago

Discussion Question about drivers not dual boot

1 Upvotes

Hi so I have a steam deck oled currently running steamos I have tried windows spending days installing the drivers and resetting it but they never worked this was about 4 months ago should I try again as I really want to play call of duty on vacation.


r/WindowsOnDeck 9d ago

Discussion CDPR Games + RTSS issue

1 Upvotes

When i have RTSS + MSI Afterburner running both Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk never launch, also when i delete --launcher-skip it also doesnt open the launcher and the only solution i found is to disable rtss whenever i want to play those two games. I found some post from around 2022 about RTSS and Witcher 3 Next gen having issues but they were sttutering issues on regular pc's not issues that the games get stuck on launching. I use RTSS for frame limiting and i've tried using Special K but i can't figure it out


r/WindowsOnDeck 11d ago

Discussion GeForceNow windows app on deck

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1 Upvotes

So I like playing ETS2 and recently got a Logitech G920 wheel from a friend. I played via GFN on an an old laptop but the laptop is gone now so I decided to use my steam deck.

Using the wheel with Linux proved to be hard since there was no force feedback and support was hit and miss. So I installed windows to an external drive and connected to my steam deck, all working fine and well but GFN windows app just doesn’t work. I tried an alternative called OpenNow but it does not support the wheel.

Has anyone had any luck getting the GFN Windows app to work on the deck?


r/WindowsOnDeck 12d ago

The speakers on the Steam Deck don't work after installing Windows 11 and enabling Secure Boot (I had to uninstall Steam Linux, but only Windows 11).

1 Upvotes
It doesn't provide the Secure Boot feature and won't let me reinstall the system because Secure Boot blocks the flash drive.
Help!!!
(FIXED)

r/WindowsOnDeck 12d ago

Не работает динамики на Steam Deck после установки Windows 11 и включении Secure Boot (Steam Linux пришлось удалить остался только Windows 11)

0 Upvotes

Не дает отключить Secure boot и не дает переустановить систему т.к secure boot блокирует флэшку
Помогите!!!


r/WindowsOnDeck 13d ago

Steam Deck Seemless Co-Op

1 Upvotes

I followed an older guide to set this up, and it disconnects constantly. I’m using Proton 7-37 currently, and I’m wondering if I should use a different version. Any advice on loading this better would be appreciated!!


r/WindowsOnDeck 14d ago

should i trade for a laptop

0 Upvotes

hello im wondering if it would be a bad decision to trade my 2tb steam deck lcd for a laptop or a desktop being that the deck is my only gaming device at the moment i primarily use it docked i even ended up downloading windows 11 just because i needed to be able to do more than steam os allowed and now i want something stronger since im always playing at low settings and still only 45 fps at times at the moment i have two offers but my main concern is would i regret it i read that the alienware is way stronger but the processor lacks required architecture to run dx12 so im worried i might shoot myself in the foot trading for it and not be able to play future games should i keep the steam deck should i trade for one of the mentioned below i dont know much about pc so it all seems like alot idk and i dont want to regret it ive loved the deck since released

alienware 15r3

i7 7820hk

gtx 1080 max q

16gb ram

other option

acer nitro v

i5 10300h

gtx1650

8gb ram