How to Dual Boot Steam Deck

[@Bauks]

100% Accurate. 0 Fat. It took about 2 hours total time with all the downloading and installing from scratch. It works great. Thank you very much.

[@despressoclips]

Fun Fact: You can get straight to the Boot Manager by holding Minus instead of Plus when starting your deck.

[@DrVagax]

Thanks! This saved me some time

[@harry619]

Newbie here, do you need to install other bootloaders (like Clover) or the bootmanager that comes from pressing that "-" + "Power" button already sufficient enough?

[@zwtmc]

@@harry619You dont need clover. The boot loader you can access by holding the volume down and power button will work just fine and is probably safer

[@harry619]

@@zwtmc Thank you for the reply!

[@DarklandsKingBowser]

​@@zwtmc Thank you for this comment

[@polar-star64]

Genuinely a great tutorial. Not slow, gets straight to the point without lingering on about useless topics. Great job!

[@ChiefSweet]

Thank you

[@exploreradventure4322]

It's amazing that Steam Deck is just so versatile handheld PC. Linux based SteamOS and Windows are both insane the Deck is my favourite tech ever.

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes I feel the same! It’s amazing

[@darrenpurcell6353]

Easily the best tutorial I've ever watched on KZbin. Clear, fast, no nonsense. Thank you!

[@jojosbread_owo]

This is the definition of a good tutorial. Short, easy to follow, and no filler. Thank you so much :3

[@h2oryxio924]

Thank you this worked! I did it with windows 11. Just a small note, if you're like me and don't have an adapter so you can't plug in your USB, what I did is install those drivers on my computer, I then connected my phone to my computer and transferred them there and finally transferred them from my phone to my steam deck (so basically I used a phone instead of a USB). No issues here :)

[@pinkharmony9796]

Hello! i have a question. Will windows read my 1tb storage because i bought the 1tb OLED version

[@yaronefefrati6082]

you should do a tutorial "How to do a tutorial". absolutely the best tutorial in youtube . Chief Sweet you are the s*** Thanks man

[@ChiefSweet]

I appreciate you a lot!

[@everettehungerford2858]

Thank you! You are both detailed and precise without being overlong, I dig it!

[@ChiefSweet]

Very much appreciated 😁

[@LordS20000]

I prefer deck wizards method because it gives you a selection screen but I also love this method

[@christiansantamaria7233]

Crazy in less 10 minutes you can have a whole other operating system unlocking thousands of more games and possibilities im so hyped for my deck just bought it literally today now the waiting game :)

[@ChiefSweet]

Yeah crazy stuff. Kind of exciting really 😁

[@christiansantamaria7233]

@@ChiefSweet yo i finally installed windows i went the internal route and gparted my internal drive i went wit tiny11 since i have the 64gb model thanks outa everyone your the one who explains it best!

[@luiscaletto2646]

​@christiansantamaria7233 how'd that go. I have the 256 gb sd and was gonna do it on that.

[@idlebead1002]

@@christiansantamaria7233do you need to pay for tiny 11

[@ultimatebreak827]

I wouldn't say 10 mins cause of that long process but yea

[@unkles]

Came back to this video after a year for a new Steam Deck I own and, as always , worked like a charm. Thanks again .

[@DeeLow52]

U are literally the best steam guy on youtube! THANK U SO MUCH

[@ChiefSweet]

No problem thank you for the kind words

[@MREnds08]

Your simplicity and straight to the point has Inspired me!

[@ChiefSweet]

That’s awesome! Glad to inspire

[@cari_iii]

this is the absolute most helpful video I've seen, thank you!! step by step and straight to the point for someone who is easily overwhelmed by tinkering. I can't thank you enough. and thank you for showing how to switch between the OS as well!

[@ChiefSweet]

Appreciate that!

[@crosscoregaming4035]

This was so helpful, going step by step and extremely easy to follow. Thank you sir!

[@AyysssssKendi]

Thank you for this very straightforward, no BS tutorial. You definitely deserve more subs! Thanks champ!

[@awsome6948]

u able to do it with windows 11 also?

[@isaiahreinmiller9311]

I did the exact thing he did but with windows 11 and it worked the same so yeah you can

[@hannahalbangbee3682]

Omds? This is genuinely one of the most concise and informative tutorials I've ever listened to, You were so straight to the point I was done in seconds! Thank you so much!

[@ChiefSweet]

Appreciate you

[@user-ww1dx6rt3u]

Thanks!

[@ChiefSweet]

No problem at all thank you so much!

[@grellkaizer3720]

Hey man, I just added Windows so I can dual boot windows on my steamdeck, worked 100%. Thanks man, instant subbed.

[@ChiefSweet]

Appreciate you

[@baconious1380]

Sir. You just helped me a ton. I don’t have to carry my shitty laptop and deck. Not I carry a small keyboard. Dock and my deck with a mouse. 15/10 tutorial. Best I’ve ever seen so far

[@Supernovatvs]

Your videos are literally perfect. No bs, just you explaining how to do it perfectly. Thank you sir

[@JunkYardTM]

It's not technically dual boot. It has two independent drives. Dual booting is when a single boot drive is partitioned with more than one OS image. Great video.

[@MamaDespik]

This tutorial is perfect, but any chance you can do one for how to dual boot on internal storage instead of an SD card?

[@SquidwardTentacles5058]

You literally made my deck so much more useful and amazing. Thank you very much for your research and time in this video 💯💯💯💯💯

[@ultimatebreak827]

I cant wait to do this, being able to try out fortnite will be cool

[@xdinorun]

@@ultimatebreak827 did it work?

[@ultimatebreak827]

@@xdinorun yea it did but windows is slow and Fortnite doesn’t run very well

[@xdinorun]

@@ultimatebreak827 so do you regret doing it? I was worried about doing it right after he said he made his own software or something for the screen to choose whether you want windows or steam os. kinda worried I might get a virus or sum

[@ultimatebreak827]

@@xdinorun It worked and everything but was super slow running off of a microsd card.

[@Zatariz]

I got to the part where it asked where I want to install Windows, am I doing something wrong?

[@john9738]

Extremely helpful and concise. Saved me from buying a windows handheld for a couple games.

[@snwdrop]

Came across this video as i was looking up ways to setup dual boot for the deck. Really nice video and a pretty clear one! Just a quick question though, all these drivers, updates and etc. they all will be installed on the microSD card we use for the WinOS right? And also if we were to install games on the WinOS, i would assume everything will go into the SD card too?

[@Ramsteinrig]

THIS is the video that helped me the most! Short and to the point and very well-explained. Thanks a TON!

[@ChiefSweet]

No problem glad to help

[@o0junglist0o93]

Best tutorial I've seen so far, many thanks 🙏

[@thomgardner5293]

Insanely easy to follow and works perfectly, thanks so much!

[@ChiefSweet]

Happy to help

[@ANJIN79SAMMA]

Damn that was right to point - no fluff- NICE! Thanks for this man, been needing this

[@ChiefSweet]

Glad to help 😁

[@diggky]

mine only has windows boot manager i dont see steam os 6:55

[@man_decoy]

Bloat box is the next thing you should do after this! It'll relieve so much ram and cpu usage due to windows bloatware removal.

[@JoaoVictor-of9sh]

Thank you!! Grat video! But I got a question: how to install games on sd windows on the steam deck? Do the games use the sd or steam deck storage?

[@ChiefSweet]

It will use the sd card

[@ericcarcamo6201]

Put of curiosity do I have to do the volume down and power button every boot or will the deck recognize which operating system booted last

[@ChiefSweet]

It will recognize which booted last. At least that’s what mine does

[@Footyfacts950]

Will the storage of the steam de k will be used or storage of micro sd card

[@ChiefSweet]

micro sd card

[@Footyfacts950]

⁠​⁠@@ChiefSweet thanku

[@reedygaming4585]

and can you switch out sd cards one with the winodws on it and one with linux games without compromising the winodws integrity or avoid doing setup again

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes you can.

[@scrapmetalgames5032]

I tried doing this for like 6 hours a few days ago cause the other people were skipping steps or just weren't explaining this correctly and because of them I ended up not only not getting windows but also deleting steam os of my steam deck along with everything on it, I did it with this video alone and all I had to do outside of installing everything was go to Walmart and get a usb adapter and micro Sd to hold the drivers

[@Ac3ofDr4gons]

Thank you, this guide was perfect. All the necessary steps were in there, along with a few extra tips at the end to help with the on-screen keyboard.

[@ChiefSweet]

Appreciate you

[@JerryTNF]

This is a quick and easy way to install Windows, but this installs onto the SD card. A large number of sd cards on the steam deck fails when windows runs from the sd card itself. The driver install section was really helpful

[@oddworlddude]

I've now done this but I had to use EasyUEFI to install Windows 10 to an external HDD, because my microSD card wouldn't format properly. I managed to follow your other steps though, so thanks for a helpful video!

[@LunaticOnPixiv]

its may a stupid question but can i still use my sd card after i maked it a bootable drive? its the only sd i have and i got the 64 gig version so have to know that

[@ChiefSweet]

It would be a windows drive after so you wouldn’t be able to unless you formatted and erased windows to make it useful to steam os again

[@LunaticOnPixiv]

@@ChiefSweet thank you man you saved my life

[@propalmer5097]

Can you keep games installed on your sd card from steam os and get windows on the same card?

[@deathange820]

Awesome tutorial. Question, in windows, is it possible to have the left trackpad work as a scroll wheel?

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes I have a video installing software where you can customize buttons on the deck for windows however you want

[@Typlay87]

I got to the steam deck process and it's asking for the product key and won't install. Did I miss a step?

[@Typlay87]

I think I missed clicking windows to go.. 😮

[@putrasuprz2243]

i have installed windows on my deck but when i go into steamOS gaming mode i cannot use my sd card unless i format it🤐

[@soulbravo337]

You need to keep the micro sd card inserted all the item your using windows? What about the micros sd card with game? Can i download game to the same micros sd card where is windows installed?

[@angilif32]

Thank you so much! Made it so easy to understand and follow.

[@MightyWolfTV]

So, I have a 512 micro sd card already in my Steam deck filled with games. Do I have to format it to install windows on it? Or can I use a different micro sd card and swap the micro sd card afterwards?

[@pathet11cc]

Of course you can swap them

[@onecoolguy123]

From SteamOS will I still be able to use free space on the SSD that has the windows install for game installs and such?

[@amp4203a]

Great tutorial. What were you using to screen record on the Deck ?

[@hellzonehz1416]

Can we install games on that same sd card where windows is installed ??

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes

[@Saeedandi]

Thanks. Its really helpful. Thank you for making it simple

[@tedged]

getting my deck tomorrow. good video. subbed.

[@ChiefSweet]

Appreciate you

[@astnla]

What if you have a microSD that you already use for the SteamOS? I have a 1TB and doing this would erase everything on it which are my games. Could I use a flash drive instead but still follow the same process?

[@ChiefSweet]

Yeah you could.

[@benjaminadames7266]

hey i followed along but my steam deck is not recognizing external monitors

[@ChiefSweet]

You downloaded the drivers as well?

[@iamcasinoroyal]

Why use flash drive for drivers instead of micro SD?

[@ChiefSweet]

Easier for new people who know nothing about computers to follow along.

[@iamcasinoroyal]

@@ChiefSweet ok. thanks for the video, btw

[@ChiefSweet]

@@iamcasinoroyal no problem 😁

[@ianmonks4681]

Thanks for video, I will be doing this when my deck arrives

[@mattpage2378]

thank you so much for your very thorough and straight to the point video

[@ChiefSweet]

Happy to help

[@erikdawkins4565]

Good video. Thanks for the content @Cheif Sweet Is Windows on the steam deck worth it? I remember early on alot of complaints about it being unplayable. Also, how much space does it take away from the internal storage? And do I need to keep the SD card in after it is installed when I want to play games on Windows?

[@ChiefSweet]

If you download windows on the sd card you have to keep the sd card in. Windows 10 I think is worth it. Windows 11 isn’t worth it.

[@samuelcabrera8216]

@@ChiefSweet why not windows 11?

[@iqmalanderson176]

hi if i don't have a flashdrive, what other options do i have? i do have extra sd card though? other than the one for my steam deck? pls help!

[@FearlessGUR]

Can I do the exact same thing but Windows 11?

[@AnhNguyen-yn8vn]

THIS WAS THE BEST TUTORIAL THERE IS THE OTHERS WERE SO COMPLICATED I WAS GONNA GET SCARED OF MESSING IT UP😭

[@ChiefSweet]

Happy to help

[@emric4825]

can you do this on a SD card that is currently being used by the system? or do you have to wipe it/use a different one

[@isaackson5144]

Apparently dual boot on a sd card kill the deck. Be carefull

[@tristanthiee298]

What about the sd writing speed? Wont it take hours to install a game to the sd?

[@ChiefSweet]

See I thought that too but it was relatively fast idk how.

[@tristanthiee298]

@@ChiefSweet how much storage did you use? Which sd card?

[@Lo-Fi-_-Gaming]

Best video tutorial I've seen on youtube. For more than 20 years of my life this is the best - please accept this medal 🥇 😆 Praising aside. Do you have any issues with this dual booting after 4 months of experience? Will this also affect any of my current data in my steamOS? Hopefully I can get an answer. Im kinda scared of dual booting my SD but I wanna play my windows games lol😅

[@ChiefSweet]

Thank you very much! I have had no issues at all this entire time

[@SHMlKE]

So both storage drives can't be shared correct? Basically have steam os 1tb and micro SD windows 1tb?

[@ChiefSweet]

Yup

[@bolor969]

Dumb question, but can I install windows using a usb-c stick instead?

[@Senthynel]

Yes you can, also works with an external SSD, but youll need a USB dock if you plan to charge the battery while using the steam deck since your only way of charging it is blocked

[@qwertyboi32]

Great vid man, super concise and easy to follow!

[@ChiefSweet]

Thank you

[@joeysheehan7287]

Hi thank you so much for this tutorial, I’ll be getting my steam deck this week! Do you need a flash drive or would you be able to download the drivers onto your microsd or is there just a reason why it’s not preferred? Thank you!

[@ChiefSweet]

No you can download them on your micro sd

[@obamao7145]

@@ChiefSweet Hi Chief I have a question so when i completely install windows on the steam, Am i able to switch back to the Steam os without harming the system when installing windows:

[@Catalyst512]

@@obamao7145 yes at the end he explains how to go back to steam os, because this is all localized on the sd card it keep them completely seperate

[@zach23183]

Would this be possible to do on the steam deck alone? If you use proton to open the .exe files and set up everything up from the steam deck. Or is that just stupid

[@iBuff_]

Wow. Fantastic, concise information. Just made me a whole lot more comfortable with the process. THANK YOU!!

[@ChiefSweet]

Happy to help

[@iBuff_]

@@ChiefSweet just got it locked and loaded. Let's go!! Thanks, again.

[@jonatanperez8037]

So, can i also create a different folder on the same sd card and put the drivers in there so i dont have to use a docking?

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes

[@olusegunkolade9029]

Hi I just got my steam deck and I followed ur method and it worked but I could no longer use the sd card on steam os, is it possible to partition the sd card so I can still have some extra storage for my steam os. I would probably partition the 512 in half and install windows on the 256 side and still have 256 for steam

[@ChiefSweet]

I will be making a video partitioning the internal ssd which would be way better as you can use a sd card for steam still

[@elmergloo3259]

I’m confused did you just install windows on the SD card? Or did you create a partition? I’m interested in creating a partition for Windows and SteamOS on the same SSD

[@ChiefSweet]

Installed it on the sd card I am gonna make one with partitioning the internal drive very soon

[@zex8274]

Will that be same to make partitions of sd card and install windows on sd card ?

[@hvk357]

@@ChiefSweet Hows that video coming along? I got a deck and 2tb ssd on the way lol

[@ChiefSweet]

@@hvk357 should be up by next week

[@samirahman24]

So if you just boot it up regularly after shutting down, will it automatically boot into steam or the boot manager?

[@ChiefSweet]

It’ll usually boot into whatever OS you was in last.

[@samirahman24]

Thank you bro, do you have a video on dual booting but just having an option to choose either steam or windows on startup, there are other videos out there but far too complicated

[@gamingandgardening]

Thanks for this video. Does the SD card last a long time before dying?

[@Typlay87]

Dumb question, can I install windows 10 to the steam deck via the SD dock vs placing card into the deck itself? I have a 1tb card in the deck with a lot of junk I don't want to take out if I don't have to.

[@juantubec]

How can I partition it and still use half of the SDcard for steamOS games?

[@juantubec]

If I format it in SteamOS it gets all corrupted. I'm assuming I might need to use KDE partition manager to turn it into ext4? or is Exfat compatible with game mode?

[@bungiggy]

Best tutorial out here, chief. 10/10.

[@ChiefSweet]

Thank you 🙏

[@reedygaming4585]

were you using the analogs to move the mouse or did you hook up the mouse

[@ChiefSweet]

I had the mouse hooked up

[@Paperboi.]

This is a awesome tutorial and 100% would recommend

[@ps3wizard45]

if you dont have a micro sd dock for pc, you can you do all of this on the deck itself, then boot into windows?

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes do it in desktop mode

[@Bambeakz]

Would it not be much better to install windows on the internal storage? Like faster reads.

[@ChiefSweet]

Yes 100%. You can partition the internal ssd to do that

[@OhmyJeebuss]

Would I need to leave the SD card inisde to be able to go to windows, or is it fully installed into the deck? I'm saying this because I have an SD card with my games in there for OS. Or would it be wise to get a one terrabite SD card for windows and the games there too?

[@ChiefSweet]

It would be on the sd card so it would have to be in it at all times for windows to run on the deck but you could have two sd cards one for windows one for extra storage for steam os games

[@flipkuhs]

I have to activate my windows 10. Do you know any cheap sites?

[@ChiefSweet]

G2a.com is a place where I go.

[@flipkuhs]

​@@ChiefSweet nevermind. I was able to transfer my license to my SD

[@SubjectiveFunny]

Wow, you nailed that explanation Great job 👍

[@vitopapuan]

By watching the video, the windows should be installed on the microSD card?

[@ChiefSweet]

yes a quick way to have windows without partitioning the internal ssd if you aren't very tech savy as most people who get the steam deck arent

[@vitopapuan]

@@ChiefSweet thank you for your reply. The video really helps a lot

[@brandonwalker8666]

Steam os doesnt show up for me and it wont let me get pass the portion settings when setting up windows

[@abdilahrf]

easy to follow and its fast only 7 minutes video good job.

[@fuzzinator9523]

i assume u can but can u just use an external hdd or ssd by using it docked

[@wanderingrock6756]

Using Rufus 4.5 and I can't get it to recognize my microSD card, will see about getting a different card reader to see if that will help but if you can think of anything that might help then please let me know.

[@zekealabat5917]

What would happen if i remove the sd card that has windows?

[@mace9235]

I installed both 10 and 11 for myself. I put drivers in place. but I have the same problem every time, after some time Windows crashes with an error and overloads. what can this be related to?

[@ChiefSweet]

Hmm. Maybe too high graphics?

[@SpinnerYTGL]

100% works. Thank you for your help :)

[@itchieBs]

Solid tutorial my dude! Thank you

[@michamations]

Does this tutorial also apply to windows 11 or just windows 10?

[@beans3001]

Thanks! Having windows on it is super cursed but i love it

[@sleeplessnightsofficial6334]

Hey, thanks for the video! I'm a computer noob who just got a Steam Deck and wanted to ask, I'm a Mac user so will I be able do run things like Rufus and download Windows installers etc? Just want to clarify that all of this is doable on a Mac before I waste my time! Thanks