Steam Deck: Install Windows on a Bootable microSD Card USING ONLY THE DECK!

[@malikthetechnician6375]

Bro u don’t know how much u just help the community 😢❤

[@Darkuni]

Thanks man!

[@syednaqvi1428]

Hey, wonderful guide. Only issue I’m having is the lag in wireless mouse and keyboard. Any suggestions?

[@Darkuni]

@@syednaqvi1428 I don't use anything wireless so I don't have any experience to relate. :( How much lag?

[@syednaqvi1428]

Its like stop after every 3sec for 2 sec. Working fine or linux, friend of mine said he installed the fresh copy then issue resolved

[@Darkuni]

@@syednaqvi1428 Hmmm... I have no idea :(

[@iyyuchtus]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for this tutorial. Got my Steam Deck yesterday and was having a really hard time creating a bootable microSD card for whatever reason. This one saved my day!

[@OnBrandRP]

Thank you so much for this dude. I was quite pissed when I tried to go the Windows2Go route myself but couldn't due to my selected MicroSD not having the fixed attribute for GPT. I was devastated because I had just bought another SD card specifically to run windows 10. After hours of searching I found you.

[@o0junglist0o93]

So nice to watch a KZbin tutorial without 10 minutes of fluff or sponsors before getting to the point. This is the best guide on the subject. Many thanks 🙏

[@Darkuni]

I appreciate you.

[@gprivat2206]

Dude, you really saved my days dude. Thank you so much for this tutorial, you even provided links for Windows 10 to go

[@victory3336]

My 2nd time doing a Windows installation on my Steam Deck, and the 2nd time this video helped me out. Many thanks friend!

[@calebfoster2520]

I hope your channel becomes more popular! You’re the real MVP of the Deck community!

[@Darkuni]

Thank you!

[@Jotse-q6l]

This saved me and my SD, one day the Steam Deck just couldn't recognize nor format the SD card so i thought it was bricked even after formating with Rufus and trying to use it again it wouldn't work. I tried many ways to use it with Windows but every time the iso mounting process had errors, but this one actually worked so thank you very much

[@Ben4d123]

Thank you so much! I was banging my head against a wall trying to install Windows to my sd card with the Rufus method and kept hitting blue screen errors on boot. Tried this method and it worked like a charm!

[@Darkuni]

So glad it worked for you!!

[@neilsimmonsVOA]

@@Darkuni If I have a dual boot partition setup will I be same to assign this installation to the designated ntf operation?

[@Darkuni]

@@neilsimmonsVOA You know, I don't know. I use Windows on SD as more of a "cartridge game" experience. 98% of what I want to do is on SteamOS. When I need that 2%? I power off, switch cards and use the bootmanager. At least until official dual booting comes from Valve. :)

[@neilsimmonsVOA]

@ aah I see. Ok no worries and thank you for the great tutorial and quick response. Keep up the solid content creation!

[@Xislex]

easy to follow, you made sure to consider beginners and explained every small important details

[@Darkuni]

Appreciate it.

[@crossbow_v3nom]

@@Darkunitryed it but moment I wanne add the image file to etcher it give a error no Mather what I do soo frustrating

[@Darkuni]

@@crossbow_v3nom Can you share the error?

[@drofwarcnwahs2108]

Outstanding tutorial. Thanks much. This is exactly what I was looking at doing so you saved me time in researching it. Thanks again.

[@DawidDgk]

the best guide on internet by far! thank you so much. it took me a week to find a good guide. this one worked after two hours!

[@GrantMoore3D]

Been struggling to do this for weeks, and boom! All done in no time at all, thanks so much for sharing the ISO, I simply could not figure out how to do it only owning a Mac

[@victorolaniran3722]

I do not consider myself a hard-core tinkerer, but since I got the steam deck, I have been forced to learn quite a lot fiddling with the device. Thanks a lot for the video

[@jakeanderson3939]

Thank you mate, this tutorial is excellent, super easy to follow and no mucking around with unnecessary fluff.

[@Underthanoa]

Man, thanks a lot for making this video and providing these resources. I was able to follow along and do this every step of the way. Thank you so much for your hard work!

[@RyanKorea]

EXCELLENT video! Couldn't have asked for a better one. Well done and thank you!

[@Darkuni]

Thank you!

[@FalloutofContext]

Followed this video to a T, was the easiest tutorial I've ever followed! Thanks man!

[@manic_misfit9722]

Straight forward and easy to follow. Thanks for the help.

[@matthieuberard2288]

Tanks, big hug for you, you just saved my life !! It's a very easy tuto, your the best

[@kewa_design]

Worked like a charm now I have windows on an external ssd ❤

[@Darkuni]

Whoop!

[@shananigans8507]

You are so wonderful! I have used this tutorial twice now, once for myself, and once for my fiancé…you made it possible for us to get RedM on our Decks, and I seriously wish I could hug you🤗💜

[@allhandsonsteamdeck1440]

ANOTHER AWESOME 👍😎 TUTORIAL MAN THIS WAS SO CONCISE AND SIMPLE THX 🙏😊

[@Darkuni]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dr.Ferret.f01]

Thank you my friend. Your tutorial was very helpful. I finished it all in an hour because I like to be slow about this stuff. That way I don’t mess up of course. Anyways, thanks again.

[@KengaruZ]

Worked like a charm! So many tutorials and guides have failed me, seriously! I have been on this for DAYS! Thank you so so much for this

[@Darkuni]

I'm here to earn your sub ... every time.

[@Darkuni]

@@GamerAnime200 Once you shut down windows and the Deck powers off .. the next time you power on it should boot to Steam.

[@Darkuni]

@@GamerAnime200 Sure .. it works for me. I think that only goes for Windows 10 though. Windows 11 might overtake the bootloader or something.

[@Darkuni]

@@GamerAnime200 On how to shut down windows and restart your deck?

[@Darkuni]

@@GamerAnime200 I will not discuss piracy here.

[@dresalmon420]

Just a quick update u dont need to download anything to resize the partition. Just go to search and type "create and format" and open "create and format hard disk partitions" . There right click your partition and them "Extend Volume" and go trought the wizard. Ez

[@Darkuni]

100%. Slipped my mind when I made this that there was something built in. I really hate Disk Manager though. I mean, if you look up "utilitarian" in the dictionary, a picture of its icon shows up. :D When I refresh this video, I'll make that change.

[@AJxPrime]

This 100% worked for me the first time I tried your steps without a single hiccup I also have the very best Micro SD card money can buy so everything went insanely fast . Windows doesn't even remotely stutter on my steam deck. I couldn't be more grateful to you and your channel instant sub !!!

[@KameirasWorldForever]

Does your sdcard have to be empty

[@Dave_cow]

Works great 2024, thanks!

[@draygonfire84]

Awesome video. Need more from deck videos from everybody great job man.

[@ItsPolarVR]

Thanks so much for the tutorial!! Im on Linux as daily and all the other tutorials I saw was using Rufus, that is only Windows compatible. Thanks!!

[@josephmercer5237]

Fantastic video. Just bought a SanDisk 256GB Extreme off Amazon and awaiting delivery, and this is exactly what I was looking for. Looking forward to doing this. You’ve got a new sub 👍

[@Darkuni]

I appreciate you!

[@josephmercer5237]

Hey man just a quick one, I downloaded the 64bit version of Etcher and I’m not getting the img one like you. Plus it won’t let me run it? Any ideas?

[@josephmercer5237]

Nevermind figured it out lol

[@Darkuni]

@@josephmercer5237 Can you provide a screenshot of what you're seeing....?

[@josephmercer5237]

@@Darkunisolved it mate. Thanks again for the vid.

[@yvngmattfaded780]

best tutorial i’ve ever seen. definitely subscribing for this one

[@Darkuni]

Thank you!!

[@MetalistCore24]

Thank you very much! This tutorial worked!!!!!! I now have windows 10 running on my steam deck! Happy!!

[@ivo3777]

Straight to the point, explain very well , now I hav windows 10 on steam deck , thank you 😊

[@josecaceres6141]

Does it work? is running all the games well? I really want to try windows but I feel like it could go wrong

[@ivo3777]

@@josecaceres6141 yes work very well , I’m actually hav been playing steam games on window

[@josecaceres6141]

@@ivo3777 ok! Great. thanks a lot! Did you use mouse and keyboard to install the windows or you just use the steam deck controlls? Thanks again and sorry about all the questions.

[@ivo3777]

@@josecaceres6141 I used keyboard and mouse separately during the process, after I install window I follow this tutorial for keyboard kzbin.info/www/bejne/l16ze6iAbLp9acU

[@josecaceres6141]

@@ivo3777 wow, great video! thanks!

[@Alterantwi]

also this helped me More it helped me fix my PC my pc's SSD had a Messed up windows installation i took apart my steam deck put the SSD in it used Diskgenuis this tutorial Helped me a ton thanks for this you are a life saver ❤

[@valiantstallion8952]

Worked like a charm, much appreciated my dude! Liked n subscribed, u get down to the point n no time wasted : )

[@john_doe7059]

This is the video I was looking for! Thanks for the help😎

[@Darkuni]

Great!

[@derekt7206]

Thank you so much for this video!! I was able to follow the process and it was a quick and easy process to follow.

[@antbonio303]

thank you so much bro. for some reason whenever i moved windows fresh install from my usb wether the windows install OR ISO file it didn’t get recognized this was the only way i was able to get windows booting THANK YOU!!! ❤️❤️

[@FlapjacksWolf]

Brilliant tutorial done this last night. Made life so much easier. Now I could play GTARP again

[@juulalp]

Worked perfectly, thank you. Great explanations at each step too, helped me understand what we were doing as we did it.

[@Darkuni]

We try to do AND teach :)

[@chriswarwick582]

That’s windows on the steam deck! Thank you! Just need to wait on the wifi drivers for oled

[@aaronrosettes4388]

Dayyymn, We need more guys like you! *Salute*

[@Darkuni]

:blush:

[@monkeycrunch9324]

Ah, forgot etcher exists - was looking for "Steam Deck Version of Rufus" and got your video somehow - going to flash just now - trying to fix another windows PC! Thank you!

[@Darkuni]

So glad it helped somehow! :)

[@PrincipleDNB]

Tremendous! SO much easier than I thought, thanks for the detailed tutorial

[@Darkuni]

Glad to b e of service!

[@kxlla12]

why does it take me 8 hours to install the img file? @@Darkuni

[@Darkuni]

@@kxlla12 What's the SD card you're using? You can't use a cheapie for this. Sounds like a VERY SLOW writing card.

[@dariuswoznica3498]

Thanks a lot, my Micro SD to USB adapter died so I couldn´t follow the other guides. That was really helpful, I searched 3 days for something like that xD I can finally play Paladins...worth it xD

[@Darkuni]

I do miss not having Paladins ... sigh.

[@dariuswoznica3498]

@@Darkuni xD ^^

[@hechogamermx4812]

Excellent tutorial, just perfect. Great contribution to Steam Deck community, quite honestly the best gaming community I’ve been a part of. 😊 Blessings brother 🙏🏽

[@jizaloop9955]

Amazing work sir , very smooth process 😢❤

[@sno0py954]

Came back after my 1st initial install which was a success. Back again because the new update wiped out my windows. I'll forever cherish this video. Thanks so much. It's super easy after you do it for the second time. I'll probably be back. 😂

[@Darkuni]

:) Glad to be of service!

[@RaymondReigns]

Much appreciated but unfortunately the new update caused my sd card to not be recognized in the boot manager. I'm trying to reflash the Windows img file but it says flash failed in balena etcher. It's trying to delete the existing files on the SD card but it's not working. It's a 512GB Samsung pro plus. 😢

[@danielgriffith5490]

Thank you been trying for so long , and finally I got it 🎉

[@rdtech5776]

This! Thank you I’m saving this video and will definitely use this to get windows. This is appreciated

[@lorus0024]

Thanks man, great video and I appreciate the win 2go link! Will do this when I get a new SD card.

[@Darkuni]

Sweet! Hope it serves you well.

[@ScarletRyodan]

This is literally the best tutorial out there. thank you

[@majordolbyscat]

Thank you for all your hard work... works great for what I need (for that odd occasion I find myself perplexed by Linux) I am using a SanDisk Extreme 64GB.

[@Darkuni]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@loaf0002]

I have getting ready, excited for this

[@loaf0002]

I have regrets as I corrupted my steamos

[@aztech5191]

Thx for the help on reddit and on YT mate :)

[@AboOmaR_9]

Really thank you very much bro ❤❤❤

[@Srs.wite157]

This works perfectly. Thanks man. You’re a great help.

[@surrealchemist]

I set this up last night using a USB thumb drive. To make it easier on myself I used Etcher on my mac, then created a network share that had a directory with all the drivers from valve plus the resizer tool so I can add it before rebooting. Most of it was fine without using a keyboard or mouse, but the partition resizer was a bit tricky and I had to add a usb hub to do that. I think using a USB-C adapter for my usb drive works fine, you just have to be mindful of battery usage. Once steam is running you even get the on screen keyboard like you do in desktop mode.

[@Sunne2HatsuneC]

So you dont need mouse or keyboard? How do you control? Touch screen? How do u activate the keyboard

[@robbwylie4488]

Outstanding tutorial - thanks so much fella

[@PureSinaatraa]

It works! Easy to follow! The only thing I had a problem was it getting partitioned one the first try, I close out of the application and do the whole process again but it worked perfect after that!

[@Darkuni]

Good deal! Glad it helped you out!

[@vic8230]

Youre the man. Such a great tutorial, thank you!!!!

[@jayson47057]

Great Tutorial! Thank you very much!

[@acaeg]

Best video ever. Thanks for the outstanding tutorial.

[@Darkuni]

I appreciate the nice words!

[@seanevason6442]

Thankyou so much haven't got a pc so used your guide

[@Darkuni]

Glad it worked out for you!

[@garycabezas]

This worked! Awesome, thank you!!!

[@chegichannel]

Just as a question, wouldnt this also work with just writing directly onto a SD card using Windows and Rufus ? Would propably remove the step of having to repartition the SD card afterwards (havent tried it yet)

[@mostcoolkid78]

this d0esntnrequire windows

[@bobjeffidk504]

great vid man still working a year later!!

[@Darkuni]

Could you offer up some details? Micro SD card make/model? How many hours a week you run on it?

[@TopViralReportTV]

Thank you

[@Rojke88]

Great guide! Very helpfull, thx!

[@AlexBell1991]

Awesome tutorial. So I can just have a dedicated SD card for Windows and when I want to use SteamOS, I can simply remove the SD card and it will boot SteamOS from the internal SSD? I am very tempted to do this for lossless scaling frame generation.

[@Darkuni]

Yes you can!

[@saxshton]

is it fine if i do this with a 128 gb sd card? i dont have much money and this is the only sd i have

[@Darkuni]

It will "work" but not sure you'll get what you need on the other side. As long as it is a high speed writer, you should be good .. but with so many "windows only" games clocking in at well over 100GB ...? You may find yourself a bit short.

[@saxshton]

⁠@@Darkunii saw that some games won’t be able to be downloaded but it’s fine i only really got windows on the deck for fortnite and half life alyx haha, another problem i had is activating windows (i’m not gonna spend any money i don’t have for windows on deck LOL)

[@saxshton]

nvmd, i found a way to activate, btw great tutorial 🙏

[@Darkuni]

@@saxshton That treads on piracy ... I stay away from that topic.

[@saxshton]

@@Darkuni true

[@chromachino]

awesome, thank you so much! 😀👍🏻

[@gavinrosalcala1099]

Hello, i don't know if you'll be able to read this, i'm currently trying to install windows on sd card but i just can't get pass over etcher, whenever i try to select from files, it always says "errormetadata' not a function. what do i have to do?

[@TheFranchise318]

I get the same error

[@LilBambi666]

Can’t download the windows from mega says file too big must install mega and I can’t install it

[@Darkuni]

Use a different mirror? I recommend koofr

[@Hester7410]

@@Darkuni link expired

[@Darkuni]

@@Hester7410 thanks for that. I'll try to make a new one. In the meantime the other two mirrors should work fine.

[@Darkuni]

@@Hester7410 I replaced it!

[@smeky]

Thank you so much dude!❤

[@justchan2443]

I plan on getting the Miyoo Mini Plus to install Onion OS. I'm too lazy to use my old laptop.

[@Omnibus4Everyone]

Thanks. This worked amazingly well and was easy to do. One question tho: Is there an easy way to transfer files from the Linux side to Windows and vice versa?

[@Darkuni]

The safest way is an intermediate device. But I believe steam can reach into NTFS just not vice versa.

[@Omnibus4Everyone]

@@Darkuni I completely missed your comment. That’s what Ive experienced as well. I’m using Mega for the file transfers now. Thanks again.

[@camerondole8047]

Thanks man I appreciate it

[@lucaskaravokiris532]

Hey this is great but I’m stuck on one part. Im trying to set up the audio drivers but when I got to setup installation all I get is the notepad information. Please advise when able. Thank you

[@Darkuni]

Right click and hit Install?

[@lucaskaravokiris532]

I went to the setup installation after I extracted but it just opened a notepad

[@mr._.memers536]

I need help with my wifi. when i setup the wifi drivers (like you did at 5:30) it installs everything and i click the finish button but no wifi options show

[@Darkuni]

You're using an LCD Deck right?

[@fishy9s]

Is there a way to transfer files from windows to steamOS?

[@JulianDiemOfficial]

So now i can decide wheter i boot windows in the boot menu from the sd card while still having the normal steam deck Software installed?

[@Darkuni]

Correct.

[@JulianDiemOfficial]

@@Darkuni Thats nice, next time i will get a new pc, i think i rather choose a steam deck (or maybe by then steam deck 2) so i have less stuff arround and this way i can have normal windows aswell

[@twylighttoaster2179]

Hey, i just did the tut. when remove the sd card it shuts down windows. also my internal space (ssd) won't show on windows. Any fixes?

[@Darkuni]

Uh ... you shouldn't be removing the SD card. You should shut down windows, remove the card and boot to SteamSO when done. No, EXT4 is not supported on Windows. You cannot access the SSD from Windows.

[@twylighttoaster2179]

@@Darkuni yeah, i already figured that out, thanks though!

[@Darkuni]

@@twylighttoaster2179 :)

[@monkeyman3472]

I tried it with my externall ssd and after i wrote the image with balena i opened the ssd in the file manager and there was nothing in it

[@Darkuni]

You may have a BIOS setting incorrect ... take a look at this ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nabSlqFjp7eApZo

[@Introwertyk94]

Thank you very much for your help. Windows works perfectly. I didn't know it was possible to have a fully working system on an SD card.

[@Darkuni]

I wouldn't use it as a daily driver, but when you gotta have that ONE elusive game? It does the trick.

[@Introwertyk94]

Yes, I will play Call of Duty on it. And for tools that do not work on SteamOS.SteamOS on the internal SSD and Windows on the SD card@@Darkuni

[@Darkuni]

@@Introwertyk94 Good deal. Works well enough for me!

[@camiloparra8631]

Man this is what I've been waiting for this for months! Question - I have a 256gb, can I still install Steam Deck games on it or once I do this, I have to use it for Windows only? Thank youuuuuuuu!

[@Darkuni]

Windows only without some work. You COULD dual partition it, but this video doesn't cover that.

[@camiloparra8631]

@@Darkuni gotcha so in that case I should have one SD card with Windows and the other SD card for Steam Deck games? so where do I install for example Modern Warfare 2?

[@Darkuni]

@@camiloparra8631 Use two different cards; one with/for Windows ... the other for SteamOS games.

[@camiloparra8631]

@@Darkuni you're the man, thank you!

[@SIWJEE]

Worked for me, didn't even have a keyboard or mouse and it was pretty easy.

[@Darkuni]

Thanks man. I try to streamline these things as best I can, but in some cases - it's very difficult to pull this sort of thing off without having those extra peripherals. I'm glad you were able to be successful without them.

[@tuanis1]

Thanks for making your .iso available, so helpful.

[@Darkuni]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@jasonb7862]

Thank you so much i just got windows installed

[@Darkuni]

You're welcome. Glad it worked out for you.

[@tbeeb3400]

Amazing works 10/10

[@nihal0713]

you got a sub and sir Your a legend thank you so much

[@Darkuni]

Glad I could help

[@jacsmith2217]

Worked great 👍

[@Franco33671]

Im a little confused what you mean by take out your sd card and put your regular 1steam deck card in? 10:57 also what do you mean why do i need a key?

[@Darkuni]

Most people have an existing SD card they use with SteamOS. This tutorial assumes you would like to have Windows on its own SD card, while your SteamOS use card is separate. No, you can't use the same card for both uses. Well ... it may be possible with some clever partitioning, it isn't going to be covered here.

[@Franco33671]

@@Darkuni ohhhh ok I understand but will windows not work without a key tho?

[@Darkuni]

@@Franco33671 It will .. for awhile. At some point it will gimp out without an activation ... but Win 10 keys are dirt cheap, my friend. Or you could continue to use it gimped (it is thinks like personalization that are gimped).

[@gornyboy]

I successful installed it onto my usb stick, cheers for the help. Now I realised it's way to slow so I would like to move windows from the stick right back right onto the internal steam deck ssd. Is there a easy way to do this or will I need to set it up again from 0. Thanks a lot!

[@Darkuni]

@@gornyboy I have never run Windows from the internal storage. My preferred method is an external msg stick on nvme drive enclosure

[@gornyboy]

@Darkuni thanks for the quick reply. Can I use etcher to move everything from my windows usb stick onto a empty external ssd drive? Or simply clone it? Cheers

[@Darkuni]

@gornyboy yessir!

[@Darkuni]

@@gornyboy I would clone it. I have a video coming out tomorrow that will talk about my latest journey with Windows on Deck. Might want to wait just a bit.

[@adamszabo2293]

Hi! How did you create the Windows 10 to Go file? I would like to create a Windows 10 Home version of it. Thanks in advance!

[@alvinafotey5680]

Will definitely try it this weekend. Can it be done one the 64GB Deck? Considering the side of the windows os?

[@Darkuni]

The beauty of this method is it doesn't touch your steam deck at all. Any deck will do. Just be sure you're using a quality microSD card or the speed and performance will kill you.

[@jasonkiller1223]

How can you get back to steam os or back on steam deck os

[@Darkuni]

Shutdown and remove the SD card. Power up.

[@jasonkiller1223]

@@Darkuni ok thx and also why is the screen sideways you know any fixes

[@jasonkiller1223]

@@Darkuni and also how do I get my keyboard to show up I don't own a keyboard

[@Darkuni]

@@jasonkiller1223 work yourself into tablet mode.

[@jasonkiller1223]

@@Darkuni oh thanks you earned a subscriber

[@diddlefiggins6557]

Great vid thanks man

[@edgos1651]

epic guide 100% big thanks

[@Darkuni]

Glad you liked it!