What you need to know
- Valve has uploaded a new package of Windows 11 drivers for its Steam Deck OLED handheld gaming PC.
- Launched on August 11, the drivers improve the performance of the AMD processor and wireless devices, as well as audio playback.
- Dual-booting Windows 11 with the default SteamOS still isn’t possible on Steam Deck, but users can install either operating system with relative ease.
As a seasoned researcher with over two decades of tech tinkering under my belt, I can’t help but appreciate Valve’s commitment to keeping the Steam Deck relevant and user-friendly. The latest Windows 11 drivers for the OLED model are a testament to this dedication, though I must admit that the installation process remains more DIY than plug-and-play.
The Steam Deck, praised worldwide as the leading handheld gaming device, continues to dominate its position. Its recent upgrade to an OLED screen has only increased its popularity. Although it debuted in February 2022, this compact console remains relevant with frequent updates to its Linux operating system. Interestingly, Valve allowed users to install any desired operating system from the start, including the latest versions of Windows 11.
The Steam Deck functions much like a standard PC, albeit exceptionally portable. It employs a conventional and user-swappable solid-state drive, allowing tech-savvy users to erase its data and install Windows 11 if they are particularly keen on it. However, the experience can be optimized with some adjustments, it falls short compared to devices like ASUS’ ROG Ally X and Lenovo’s Legion Go, which were specifically designed for seamless Windows 11 integration.
Valve consistently enhances Windows performance on Deck through regular driver and BIOS updates for the Steam Deck OLED, the latest one released on August 15, 2024. These updates don’t bring groundbreaking changes, but they do include fixes for bugs which can only be beneficial for the WinDeck experience. Although downloading each update might be time-consuming, the improved stability makes it worthwhile.
Can we dual-boot Windows 11 with SteamOS yet?
As of now, officially speaking, migrating your Steam Deck (either the LCD or OLED version) to Windows 11 involves a full reset of the internal storage. A first-party dual-boot tool doesn’t seem to be a priority for Valve at this time, as it was expected with the release of SteamOS 3, and we are currently on version 3.5.19. So, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to run Microsoft’s operating system alongside Valve’s default Arch Linux installation in the near future.
It’s possible that future versions of the Steam Deck could offer dual-boot options, given that Valve seems to be broadening the scope of official SteamOS compatibility to include other popular gaming handhelds, such as the ASUS ROG Ally.
From my perspective, opting for a preinstalled Windows 11 instead of attempting to adapt SteamOS to the ROG Ally could potentially ease our DIY endeavors. However, it’s uncertain whether this choice would result in enhanced support for a dual-boot Windows 11 setup on your original Steam Deck.
Regardless of how much backing Valve provides for Windows 11 on Steam Deck, I find it hard to imagine a scenario where most portable gamers opt for it over the standard SteamOS. The latest Compact Mode update to the Xbox Game Bar hasn’t swayed me to reformat the original Deck’s internal storage, and the idea of permanently switching for only a few games doesn’t outweigh the comfort of Valve’s in-house operating system.
Despite primarily using Linux, I maintain a bootable version of Windows 11 on a microSD card for situations where it’s necessary. It’s reassuring to see Valve backing Windows on Deck, despite the additional tasks required after installing Windows 11 from the standard ISO, which includes getting rid of Microsoft’s unnecessary software. While a dedicated Windows 11 variant designed for gaming handhelds might seem impractical, I remain optimistic.
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2024-08-16 18:55