How To Install WINDOWS On Your STEAM DECK - FAST AND EASY Dual Boot

[@spoobspoob2270]

Very simple and straightforward guide, tells me how to install the OS onto a drive and nothing more. Super useful! Makes the process as easy as possible without fluff. I'm using another video to configure a custom dual boot screen, we'll see how that goes.

[@crackericeproductions]

Can you put link down here for the other video please thanks

[@KarimJovian]

So far this wont work for Steam Deck OLED because it needs sound drivers and stuff right?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

I believe there are some unofficial drivers people are using on the OLED until real ones come out. Otherwise, the setup is the same: www.reddit.com/r/WindowsOnDeck/s/llSEP6ipwh

[@KarimJovian]

Thanks @@JasonWitmerYT

[@fatalpath]

It will now

[@KatyDubu]

I do not have the option to "install" in the right click menu for the audio drivers. What should I do? Never mind! I shutdown and booted back into the card after previous installs and the option is now there. Editing my comment rather than deleting in case anyone else gets stuck.

[@betfoyet]

According to Windows terms and services, if you have a device with that size of screen, it does not require activation.

[@sherlockhomes9919]

What???? Are you sure? No watermark?

[@jackpepin2421]

You called me a masochist but I have to rebuttal. With the release of Quest 3, Imma try to get Virtual Desktop on the Deck and from there I can have mobile PCVR. For that you need windows, so thanks for the great guide

[@YoungSamuu]

Hi, I just did everything about the video but when I install the video driver I get error 1603, could you please help me? I have tried several things but nothing

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Sorry, I didn’t create chiaki, you’ll have to check their github for errors. You can also google the error code and see if anyone has had similar issues.

[@Yoshiwii46]

I can't get the apu drivers to work, they get stuck at 74 percent and then the installation of the drivers just crashes Edit:I fixed it by choosing "Driver only'

[@KingChristensen]

Awesome duel booting to windows can be useful but I think SteamOS has nearly just as much features and games now which is great! Only issue I'd say is with Anti Chest games, hopefully continued support will bring us more of them

[@marleybishop9649]

No fortnite no deal lol

[@TonyStark-wr7ob]

So annoying modifying games on steam os

[@ViniciusNegrao_]

That looked way easier than what I'd expect. Since SD runs a linux distro, how good is wine at running native windows games? How about old school windows games (dos, 98, xp, etc)? Can you make a video on it if it's possible?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

It's actually really good at running most games - it'd be impossible to test all of them of course, haha - but from what I've seen the ones that have the most issues are ones with specific anti cheats. A lot of people see that if a game isnt "Steam Deck Verified" that it won't run, but that's just not true. Proton makes it super easy

[@sniprelf007]

I've done all the steps to setup the files on my sd card but when I load into the boot manager my SD card doesnt show up, any ideas?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Need to go back and do the steps again, its possible the SD card was formatted incorrectly.

[@GB-sz2tg]

I keep getting the blue screen of death soon as as I try to install it I’ve wiped the card twice and re installed windows on it but the same issue . Any ideas?

[@Shane0632]

Super straight-forward instructions, thank you!

[@relmelictriccars]

According to Microsoft screens under 9 inches don't need a key to be activated

[@arker220]

correction: the warning in rufus doesnt make you check if you have the correct sd card. it makes sure you actually want to delete everything currently on it

[@ivanm10]

Sorry for this question but will this work with the Oled Steam deck? Also any recommendation on specific sd card brand and size .. 512 good?

[@deathstrom5085]

Amazingly useful, i spent way to long trying to figure how to download windows and your video really helped

[@randycramer3442]

My Deck is saying does not support os when I attempt to install the lan driver

[@Krubel2.0]

Me too have you found a fix?

[@alunfighter]

same issue here, but i noticed i already have wifi displayed on system tray i dont know why its already installed when it should'nt

[@bryanswaggbeast4594]

I get this Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. The partition is an EFI system partition. The micro sd card is formatted as ntfs but wont install!!!!!!

[@durtymessycan]

Same

[@DaneGrannonArt]

Great advice, is this the best way for me to run destiny 2 on steamdeck?

[@mystical8144]

So I have a question. When your in windows, how do you switch back to the steam os? Also nice vid man.

[@marioortega1654]

Guessing by just holding volume + and power button and selecting you ssd as boot device

[@shakhilmannan2428]

Brilliant vid. Very straight forward and helpful.

[@CentiDenti]

My wireless driver isn’t working. It finishes the download then says we don’t support this operation system. Help ??!!

[@lap456]

I use to remand dufus but my move to MAC has made me gotten use to newer tools that I fell work better. I wouder if you can use Ubuntu in place of Windows 11?

[@karltee7862]

If you want to download games via steam on windows, do we save it to the microsd or ssd? And if its ssd, how do I do so?

[@mermaidgirl0075]

It’ll be the microsd because that’s where windows is installed and it’ll be a helluva lot easier than setting your game path to another drive in another location

[@clone0azul9]

My sdcard doesn't appear on the installation disk list, just the internal SSD, have any clue about it?

[@FROSTYYNUGGET]

Did you ever solve this? Was also running into this issue

[@immortalwolf7260]

Broo, I've been spending an hour trying to figure this out. still no solution.

[@BerdlyGaming]

Hell yeah dude, awesome tutorial with the perfect amount of information. Having all the links for both parts and steps is such a crucial aspect that many forget to consider. Props to you man 🙏 One question that I didn’t see mentioned, what is the minimum size SD card recommended for this?

[@GLITCHYSKY228]

I would say if you want to install some games, between 64gb-512gb (or 1tb)

[@Ok-kf8xg]

@@GLITCHYSKY228 Always leave ~100GB just for windows installation (updates start to take too much space over time) So I would say minimum 128GB (if you are playing indie games/emulators) or 512GB or higher (for games like Warzone, Fortnite, GTA V Online, etc)

[@spazzinvader9083]

Thanks! I like very simple and straightforward!

[@mrblazabee7710]

How do I make it so that I can have steam os and windows on the same SSD without losing my steam os data

[@Tech_Wes_]

Thanks for the straightforward guide! I just downloaded the windows 11 iso and used rufus for that. Then copied over and installed the drivers as shown. Works flawlessly. I guess maybe borderline specs for Windows 11. But it seems to handle it well for me so far. 4core 8thread in this bad boy.

[@DavidC151]

You're guide was finally the best one I can work with while still maintaining my SteamOS. One question though because I tried to use my PNY 1Tb SD on Rufus but it wasn't recognizable. I settled for for a 256gb SanDisk since I was only paying Call off duty. But I'm already losing space. Has anyone tried this with a 1tb SanDisk SD card yet?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Yep the 1TB Sandisk cards are great

[@DavidC151]

@@JasonWitmerYT that's great. Thanks. Now I need another $200 lol

[@S....]

Can I install games on "that" SD card if ai boot normally without damaging the Win? Or is that whole card/space only usable for Windows?

[@moosejerky6931]

Windows only, youll break the windows install if you try

[@Charredasperity]

worked great, easy to understand, thanks!

[@simonstead1491]

Where did you get your desktop background from? Thats funky!

[@ThePokenatha2]

Im guessing this doesn’t work on the oled?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

It does!

[@jasonrobinson_]

Hello I have a few questions to see if these are able to be resolved. We've installed windows on a SD card, and set it up with no problem, it works fine but there is a few issues. The wifi adapters do not work for some reason, we have installed all the drivers from Steams Windows page, it connects via LAN fine but wifi is preferably. The rockstar games launcher won't sign in properly when launching GTAV through steam, we sign in, then it just closes and then never boots GTAV, another attempt will prompt sign in again and the circle continues.

[@Url0cal_kennyvr]

So when I plug my SD card in it doesn't show up for devices

[@franky334444]

Great video! This work for oled too?

[@YohanYo-hp2im]

Mine only works the first time i boot after that it just boots into windows without giving me the choice to select what os i want to use

[@richardwilson2797]

you have to either remove the sd card before booting to get into steam os. or press the volume down and power buttons to get back into the boot menu. windows tends to change bios setting to prefer it over other operating systems.

[@nolifecoco]

When I click the link to download windows 10 it says service unavailable so I googled it and it still said service unavalible so is there anyway i could get a link to the windows 10 download like on mediafile or something?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

The links work for me - try another browser.

[@nolifecoco]

​@@JasonWitmerYTThanks that worked but now it says sorry we don't support this operation system when in open Setup in RTLWlan

[@RecraftedS]

This all sounds great but once I boot into Windows how do I get out? Will the power off and volume down still work?

[@luiscaletto2646]

Yes that should still work.

[@DenkiinArt]

Hello, what stpragr does the windows use? Does it use the sd card or the steam deck one?

[@priconneknight8183]

can it be possible to switch to steam game mode after installing windows program

[@MrSTKF10]

Great video we love your explaining things, I want ask u about your experience, which the best for gaming windows or SteamOS ? I only play Diablo 4 and overwatch 2. Now i am using proton to run Diablo 4 on SteamOS.

[@JasonWitmerYT]

I’d say if you can make it work on SteamOS, it will be much easier. Only if you 100% can’t run it on SteamOS, then use windows

[@MrSTKF10]

@@JasonWitmerYT but which is better with your experience for gaming windows or SteamOS?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

SteamOS

[@killer0man1]

I've heard that using a micro sd card for windows kills the sd card. Can you explain? Thanks

[@bluebee2407]

Dose vavle officially support dual boot now I'm trying to hold out for it offical m

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Valve will never "officially" support Windows, as they spent a lot of money and time on SteamOS - but they do provide the drivers for Windows at the very least. Installing Windows does not break your warranty or anything, but Valve support won't help you if you try to contact them about it.

[@bluebee2407]

​@JasonWitmerYT okay thank you is there any problems with updating to the next Os or van I just do that without worry

[@JasonWitmerYT]

No worries at all!

[@senpaiedz]

thanks i tried to instal on my 128gb sd card not branded but still work! the question is can i just copy the windows files on my unbranded sd card to transfer in 1tb sandisk without installing again on my new sandisk?

[@minond]

you forgot to explain how to switch between one and the other OS. Will we have to hold the volume and power button every time, or will it ask automatically after every shutdown?

[@mermaidgirl0075]

I’m not sure, I think it’s likely you’ll have to use the power and volume buttons because the steam deck wasn’t intended for this use but there might be a way to make it automatic who knows 🤷‍♀️

[@alunfighter]

im gonna paste it here Dual-Boot with SteamOS not yet available While Steam Deck is fully capable of dual-boot, the SteamOS installer that provides a dual-boot wizard isn't ready yet. This will ship alongside SteamOS 3 once it's complete.

[@TheRedDevil-7-]

Will this mess up if you update steam os ?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Nope!

[@greensabre9421]

Once installed, I assume you can also just format your factory internal SSD (the with Steam OS installed) to be a drive for the Windows 10 boot (if you ever want to give up Steam OS) Though I would recommend reinstalling Windows 10 on the factory drive if you want to use Windows in the long term.

[@XdeathXasXitXisX]

Awesome video sir! Nice and easy for me to understand 10/10

[@seanmehegan8491]

How do i connect to wifi there is no setup in the program files

[@landkart7233]

question, can i install game on ssd, when booting on windows sd card?

[@lihzen]

Thanks! But now the wifi driver can't work.Can you help to deal this problem?

[@coolieman786]

Thanks so much. I got Windows 10 working on the Deck!

[@leonardomorales3696]

I successfully did this with no issues. Only curious to see if I take the sd card out to go back to steam os will cause any damage? Other than that everything works great windows 10 definitely is better for me.

[@crackericeproductions]

Did you find out

[@mermaidgirl0075]

That’s a good question but I wouldn’t presume so, I think if you just take it out it’ll be fine like taking out an external drive

[@kenontube]

Dude - this is super good. Many thanks

[@eightsix1154]

rufus is not recognizing my sd card Im using the same one as you but mine is the 512gb version. Is there something that you did or am I doing something wrong? Im using my steam deck to install it I put in the sd card slot at the bottom and rufus is still not recognizing it. I also mounted the sd card Ive tried everything please help!

[@fatchicken518]

Thanks buddy this was very easy to follow❤

[@nenomanhd7061]

Thanks for this video bro!

[@jasonrobinson_]

Can't connect to the Internet, it's not showing any networks. I've installed all the drivers from the steam page.

[@Vanagandr09]

can you install windows with a flash drive with destination to my ssd?

[@hipflask]

Super helpful thanks for the great vid !

[@haydenleslie2193]

hey love the vid, but the sd card doesn't appear on rufus?

[@ZakiAoi]

i don't see the section where you talk about dual booting the two os...

[@mrblazabee7710]

I think it’s in the steam boot menu and you can select windows or steam os

[@Kdaileyy]

Can you still switch to game mode or is it just windows now cause I bought mine used and it was already windows but I didn’t have a clue what to do cause I was watching videos on where they had game mode but mine didn’t

[@chuchun-boy]

Bro it's asking me on which drive I want to install it.. and none of them allow me to click next

[@PARANOlDDROlD]

I successfully got Windows on my SanDisk EVo SD card but downloaded a game (PC Game Pass) and it takes forever to start then I could even get past the main menu. Is there any way to fix this or is my SD card just not good/fast enough?

[@ayanokoji556]

Which is best to run for steamdeck windows 10 .. Sandisk extreme 512 A2 or samsung Evo plus 512 A2... Ples tell..bro

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Both good, whichever is cheaper

[@JackCh91]

After I do this, i can simply download Valorant like normal and it should run okay yeah? Thank you for the video!

[@user-lm5dx6wg5l]

can u also remove it after? if so how do u do it

[@trentmorrison6074]

What about just using a usb stick? Will I still need roofus?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Yep

[@trentmorrison6074]

Well, finallly made it with the oled deck. I just hope bf2042 runs well with the samsung micro sd. Speed it 130mbs. Storage is 500GB. Update: the wifi driver says its installed but wont do shit.

[@terlanmemmedzade4058]

Hello thanks for video. Now in steam page APU driver link doesn't work. Please help, where else i can download APU drivers for LCD version?

[@yusakhandianto]

Use the oled version one. It is the same

[@LEPreconspider]

I plug my hdmi in so i can play on my bigger screen but i have no sound through tv only steamdeck anyway to fix that?

[@taeriterry2308]

Thank you. I'll do this probably 2 days later once i get my microsd =)

[@sorbi9609]

Update?

[@Conical187]

@@sorbi9609he died unfortunately

[@davidbennett5372]

Do we need a windows device to do this? because you are installing the iso file from a windows pc

[@mermaidgirl0075]

I wouldn’t think so, no, as long as you can download the files from any browser on your pc, you should be fine

[@AaronRoche-cu2yf]

is there any other ways to get it on oled

[@mermaidgirl0075]

When I brought my desktop computer, it came with a USB flash drive with windows 10 on it to reinstall, by any chance would I be able to use the files on that if I copied them onto the SD rather than download all the files from the internet? Also thank you so much for the tutorial, it’s easy and straight to the point, thanks! :)

[@JasonWitmerYT]

If it’s a straight forward windows install, yes! But that might be a recovery flash…

[@mermaidgirl0075]

@@JasonWitmerYT thanks and thanks again for the speedy reply, have a nice day! :)

[@zbow1974]

so are these CD keys lagit or gray market keys? will they deactivate my key after a few months because of it reported stolen?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

It’s both legit and grey market - but they aren’t stolen at all.

[@JmYapSenpai26]

Hi can I revert back my micro sd into a normal one if in case I won't use my micro sd for windows bootup anymore and just use it back for storage only?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Yep! Just reformat it

[@theeightbitdad]

My computer recognizes my sd card as a device but rufus does not. I also reformatted and nothing. Any ideas?

[@kingvon0125]

Do I have to use a Keyboard & Mouse during setup?

[@brianfoley2952]

Yes

[@GabrielSsilva15]

So if do it, I can no longer use the microsd to storage games, right ?

[@icedbun101]

You can if you buy another, and just swap between.

[@t9inedts897]

would this work on mac?

[@Tmoney_king]

Can I use a micro sd adapter

[@DJ-ff1fp]

Where did you get that wallpaper?

[@Nexiz00]

He got it on a app called wallpaper engine on steam but sadly it costs money

[@PhazeGod]

Thank you so much bro. Perfect tutorial.

[@axing_axel8554]

Could I do all this on an ssd card instead of a micro sd card?

[@JasonWitmerYT]

You could but it wouldn’t be dual boot then

[@axing_axel8554]

@@JasonWitmerYT what is dual boot?

[@chadkramer830]

​@@axing_axel8554being able to switch between windows and steam os. If you install on your primary SSD it would only be used windows and not steam os

[@mattihp]

I thought I would never watch this video, but with xbox 360 emulating at a standstill I am really missing playing newer NHL games than 09.

[@DaymionMurphy]

Do I need an active key for windowds? It says I can't upgrade blah blah

[@JasonWitmerYT]

You can leave it unactivated if you'd like, but to unlock everything you need a key

[@cleeeeeeeeve]

Will I lose my steam deck os if i install windows os in it?

[@mrblazabee7710]

No it’s on the sd card. I’m not sure but I think you can create 2 partitions for steam/windows

[@gork4035]

I want to use the Linux based os but it makes no sense to me.

[@codycottingham130]

Yeah but this doesnt help me when windows wont instal to the partition on the stock ssd i also dont know how to delete it

[@treyjohnson8178]

Not using rufus use rufus

[@not_a_fakerr1270]

Audio and Bluetooth won’t work on oled, any help?

[@Yoshiwii46]

You probably installed the wrong drivers on the steam website, you need to install the ones for the actual OLED drivers,

[@not_a_fakerr1270]

@@Yoshiwii46 I did get the right ones, no clue what’s wrong.

[@Yoshiwii46]

@@not_a_fakerr1270 did you get the Apu drivers working, cause on mine it does not work and with no Apu drivers it won't work for some reason

[@Yoshiwii46]

And also you need steam os 3.6.9 I think it is for the Bluetooth

[@not_a_fakerr1270]

@@Yoshiwii46 I’ll check later, that was probably the case

[@mvp42688]

Great video thank you this was helpful for me but since i have the OLED i see valve hasn’t released Wifi, Bluetooth, Audio drivers yet 😔😔 damn i hope soon they will, luckily i had a dock with a ethernet port so i had to use that to continue and finish updating but then later for the mean time i tried Qualcomm QCNFA765 wifi driver and it worked i can connect wirelessly

[@Nafrislive]

Thank you 🫰🏻 Tried with many videos but faced issue everytime 🥲 This was straightforward 👍

[@jond7754]

I’m trying to figure out how to do this with only a steam deck

[@fatchicken518]

Unfortunately I think I have to do this to play Madden 24 on the deck, thanks man

[@amari5502]

still doesnt work as of now .. even on windows

[@castro2406]

@@amari5502 why???

[@xgus1717]

Do i need an sd card? I have the 512gb ssd steam deck

[@JasonWitmerYT]

This guide is specifically for dual booting to a micro SD card. It’s possible to partition your SSD, and dual boot directly from it, but it’s not covered in this guide.

[@snapsbyreyes]

Umm, did I miss where the graphics card file came from???

[@snow_hound8026]

its the areith seph file you downloaded

[@SpiderboyN2Jesus]

Is there any particular reason why you couldn't use a USB thumb drive rather than a Micro SD card? I don't a Micro SD card reader on my PC and I'd rather not have to buy one...

[@JasonWitmerYT]

Thumb drives generally aren’t fast or strong enough to run windows, it’s pretty bloated. Even SD card is pushing it

[@SpiderboyN2Jesus]

@@JasonWitmerYT fair enough 👍🏻.