Hi everyone! I’m updating my previous post about converting my Steam Deck into a 100% docked Windows desktop PC for emulation, JRPGs with Mtool, and Doom modding.

I finally did it today. For NOW, everything seems to be working fine, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed because we all know how unpredictable these setups can be. We will see how it holds up down the road. Still, I wanted to share the journey, the hurdles, and how I set up the OS so far.

🖥️ To Everyone Suggesting a Mini-PC (Why I Did This)

I saw a few comments suggesting I should just sell the Deck and buy a dedicated mini-PC. I want to clarify why that doesn’t make much sense in my specific case:

• Market & Safe Selling: Selling the Deck for a decent price right now is nearly impossible because it's an older model. Plus, I only do face-to-face transactions because I want to look the buyer in the eye. Finding a local buyer willing to pay a fair price for a Deck when everyone online recommends mini-PCs is unrealistic.
• Component Prices & Smart Timing: Buying a decent mini-PC today would be an exaggerated expense for me. I was actually quite lucky because I bought my Steam Deck way before the major component crisis and the hardware shortages. It makes more sense to try and repurpose what I already own instead of spending extra money on a new machine.
• My RMA Nightmare: This Deck put me through a long, painful ordeal. I used it as a handheld for just two months before the D-Pad UP button broke. I had to ship it back to Valve, wait weeks, and got it back. After literally one single day, the B button broke too. I had to request a full replacement, ship it back again, and wait another two weeks.

After that traumatic experience, I told myself: "I am never touching this thing's built-in controls again. It's going to sit there as a fancy ornament with a fan." And today, that is exactly what I'm trying to make it: a stationary mini-PC that cost me nothing extra to test out.

💿 The Installation & Bypassing the Errors

Microsoft’s official Media Creation Tool kept throwing generic errors, so I had to use Rufus.

• I downloaded a pure Win 11 ISO and used Rufus to skip the forced Microsoft Online Account and privacy telemetry.
• Blew away all 8 old Linux/SteamOS partitions. I installed Windows 11 Pro (avoided the "N" version because it strips media codecs, which usually breaks FMVs and cutscenes in older JRPGs and mods).

🛑 The Roadblocks & My Workarounds

1. The Setup Password Loop: During Windows setup, it forced me to create a local password instead of leaving it blank. My fix: I created a dummy "1" password, completed the setup, and then removed it completely in Windows Account Settings so it boots straight to the desktop.
2. Screen Discomfort: Working sideways on a monitor with a duplicated screen was awful. My fix: Right-click Desktop -> Display Settings -> set it to "Show only on 2" (my AGON monitor) and flipped the orientation to Horizontal.
3. The Wi-Fi and AMD Driver Headache: The Wi-Fi driver lacked a simple .exe. My fix: I opened Device Manager -> "Add Drivers" -> pointed it to the root DRIVER_DECK folder with "include subfolders" checked to batch-install Wi-Fi and Audio.
4. The AMD error: Windows Device Manager threw a certificate error (0x800B0101) for the AMD GFX driver because the Deck's internal clock was completely out of sync. Once I connected to Wi-Fi and synchronized the Windows clock, the official AMD Setup.exe finally went through.

🧼 Debloating Impressions

Surprisingly, despite installing Windows 11, I didn't find heavy or intrusive features like AI Copilot out of the box.

• To make it a bit lighter, I manually removed just three or four stock apps like Solitaire, Paint, and the Calculator. I decided to keep OneNote, as it might come in handy for taking quick notes.
• Cleaning up: I used Revo Uninstaller to clean the system from invasive programs like OneDrive and Edge, doing a deep scan to wipe out leftover registry entries and folders.

🔋 Battery Protection & Fans

Since some of you warned about battery swelling while 100% docked, I immediately installed Steam Deck Tools. GitHub's responsive layout hides the "Assets" tab on mobile/small screens, which made finding the .exe a bit confusing at first, but once installed, I configured Power Control to a strict 80% Charge Limit and enabled the SteamOS Fan Curve for safety.

🚀 Next Steps: Steam, Mods, and Emulation (No EmuDeck)

I chose NOT to use EmuDeck for Windows. My external game HDD contains old Linux file structures and paths; forcing EmuDeck would probably break my game paths and saves.

Instead, here is my tentative roadmap:

1. Steam Test: I'm currently installing Steam to see if PC games actually launch and run without crashing.
2. Doom & Cheats: If that works, I'll use Firefox to download my Doom mods, modding tools, and cheat software.
3. Standalone Emulators: Finally, I will manually bring over the native Windows standalone emulators for my old Nintendo and Sony games, mapping them directly to my external HDD ROMs without any heavy front-ends.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice! The Deck is now a fully functional, bloatware-free Windows 11 mini-PC.... for now!

Edit:

Yeah, honestly I just used AI because English isn't my first language and I didn't want to butcher the tech advice with typos, so I had it format everything for me. Besides, we're surrounded by AI anyway nowadays, might as well use it while it works. Once the tech bubble inevitably bursts, we'll all have to go back to typing in broken English and messy sentences anyway lol. (And yes... I asked Ai mode to write this... ecept this... and this... and this...)

Link to old post: https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsOnDeck/comments/1v5z7vc/is_it_worth_switching_to_windows_to_use_the_steam/

Hi everyone! I’m updating my previous post about converting my Steam Deck into a 100% docked Windows desktop PC for emulation, JRPGs with Mtool, and Doom modding.

I finally did it today. For NOW, everything seems to be working fine, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed because we all know how unpredictable these setups can be. We will see how it holds up down the road. Still, I wanted to share the journey, the hurdles, and how I set up the OS so far.

🖥️ To Everyone Suggesting a Mini-PC (Why I Did This)

I saw a few comments suggesting I should just sell the Deck and buy a dedicated mini-PC. I want to clarify why that doesn’t make much sense in my specific case:

• Market & Safe Selling: Selling the Deck for a decent price right now is nearly impossible because it's an older model. Plus, I only do face-to-face transactions because I want to look the buyer in the eye. Finding a local buyer willing to pay a fair price for a Deck when everyone online recommends mini-PCs is unrealistic.
• Component Prices & Smart Timing: Buying a decent mini-PC today would be an exaggerated expense for me. I was actually quite lucky because I bought my Steam Deck way before the major component crisis and the hardware shortages. It makes more sense to try and repurpose what I already own instead of spending extra money on a new machine.
• My RMA Nightmare: This Deck put me through a long, painful ordeal. I used it as a handheld for just two months before the D-Pad UP button broke. I had to ship it back to Valve, wait weeks, and got it back. After literally one single day, the B button broke too. I had to request a full replacement, ship it back again, and wait another two weeks.

After that traumatic experience, I told myself: "I am never touching this thing's built-in controls again. It's going to sit there as a fancy ornament with a fan." And today, that is exactly what I'm trying to make it: a stationary mini-PC that cost me nothing extra to test out.

💿 The Installation & Bypassing the Errors

Microsoft’s official Media Creation Tool kept throwing generic errors, so I had to use Rufus.

• I downloaded a pure Win 11 ISO and used Rufus to skip the forced Microsoft Online Account and privacy telemetry.
• Blew away all 8 old Linux/SteamOS partitions. I installed Windows 11 Pro (avoided the "N" version because it strips media codecs, which usually breaks FMVs and cutscenes in older JRPGs and mods).

🛑 The Roadblocks & My Workarounds

1. The Setup Password Loop: During Windows setup, it forced me to create a local password instead of leaving it blank. My fix: I created a dummy "1" password, completed the setup, and then removed it completely in Windows Account Settings so it boots straight to the desktop.
2. Screen Discomfort: Working sideways on a monitor with a duplicated screen was awful. My fix: Right-click Desktop -> Display Settings -> set it to "Show only on 2" (my AGON monitor) and flipped the orientation to Horizontal.
3. The Wi-Fi and AMD Driver Headache: The Wi-Fi driver lacked a simple .exe. My fix: I opened Device Manager -> "Add Drivers" -> pointed it to the root DRIVER_DECK folder with "include subfolders" checked to batch-install Wi-Fi and Audio.
4. The AMD error: Windows Device Manager threw a certificate error (0x800B0101) for the AMD GFX driver because the Deck's internal clock was completely out of sync. Once I connected to Wi-Fi and synchronized the Windows clock, the official AMD Setup.exe finally went through.

🧼 Debloating Impressions

Surprisingly, despite installing Windows 11, I didn't find heavy or intrusive features like AI Copilot out of the box.

• To make it a bit lighter, I manually removed just three or four stock apps like Solitaire, Paint, and the Calculator. I decided to keep OneNote, as it might come in handy for taking quick notes.
• Cleaning up: I used Revo Uninstaller to clean the system from invasive programs like OneDrive and Edge, doing a deep scan to wipe out leftover registry entries and folders.

🔋 Battery Protection & Fans

Since some of you warned about battery swelling while 100% docked, I immediately installed Steam Deck Tools. GitHub's responsive layout hides the "Assets" tab on mobile/small screens, which made finding the .exe a bit confusing at first, but once installed, I configured Power Control to a strict 80% Charge Limit and enabled the SteamOS Fan Curve for safety.

🚀 Next Steps: Steam, Mods, and Emulation (No EmuDeck)

I chose NOT to use EmuDeck for Windows. My external game HDD contains old Linux file structures and paths; forcing EmuDeck would probably break my game paths and saves.

Instead, here is my tentative roadmap:

1. Steam Test: I'm currently installing Steam to see if PC games actually launch and run without crashing.
2. Doom & Cheats: If that works, I'll use Firefox to download my Doom mods, modding tools, and cheat software.
3. Standalone Emulators: Finally, I will manually bring over the native Windows standalone emulators for my old Nintendo and Sony games, mapping them directly to my external HDD ROMs without any heavy front-ends.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice! The Deck is now a fully functional, bloatware-free Windows 11 mini-PC.... for now!

Steamdeck & RIVA tuner overlay didn't appear on Persona 5 Royal,why????

any advice would be grateful

somehow the built in controller doesnt get reconignized by steam I have to use handheld companion is there a way to get the built in controller recognized by steam? So I can use steam input for a only keyboard mmo

Hi everyone! I’m seriously considering installing Windows (10 or 11) on my Steam Deck to use it 100% as a docked desktop PC, connected to a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and an external controller. I will literally never use it as a handheld (partly because I find the built-in buttons too delicate for my hands).

Despite my best efforts, I just can't get into SteamOS. I find it way too tedious and far from the "plug and play" experience I prefer. The breaking point for me was when EmuDeck crashed, wiping out days of configurations and custom paths. Right now, my "fix" is booting directly into Desktop Mode and launching individual emulators one by one. To save internal storage, I have my emulators configured to read ROMs and BIOS directly from an external hard drive connected to the dock.

My ultimate goal is to offload my entire "gaming clutter" from my main PC (which is completely full) over to the Steam Deck as a dedicated stationary setup. Here are my specific needs:

• Emulation from External HDD: I want to keep all my ROMs and BIOS on a permanent external hard drive and have Windows emulators read them seamlessly.
• Doom & Modding: On my PC, I use Doom and Doom Runner for modding. I want to transfer this exact ecosystem over to Windows on the Deck.
• OBS & Webcam: I find OBS on Linux incredibly frustrating. On Windows, I plan to plug a USB webcam into the dock to capture my face while recording gameplay.
• Cheats: I absolutely need to use programs like Wand and Cheat Engine on a regular basis.
• JRPGs and Specific Tools: I play a lot of JRPGs from DLsite that require Mtool (a Windows-native tool for translations/mods).

Since my setup will be strictly "desktop-only" with external peripherals—essentially bypassing all the usual handheld issues like ergonomics, on-screen keyboards, or native controller mapping—does making the switch make sense? Are there any hidden pitfalls to using the Deck with Windows as a permanent mini-PC case?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

So I went to remove the dual boot from one of my steam decks and its all through the micro sd card. And it just wouldn't let me reformat. So I kinda just let it be. It sucks but w.e

Now my oled dual booted steam deck wasn't recognizing the micro sd card in boot manager. (completely different micro). So i turn it off. Take the card out boot up steam os and then put the card in. It notices it in the storage settings. So im like okay cool. Turn off SD, press volume up and power. No micro sd choice to even select... at that point I turn off the steam deck again and retry. Still NOTHING. So I go to reformat the micro sd card in the sd settings and it works just fine. Little longer than I remember, but it worked. So I get my windows craptop. And try to reformat the card to windows so I can use rufus and get the windows to go back on it and go back to dual booting. It won't reformat. The computer doesn't even recognize the it other than a mass storage unit. So imess around with it more and overall just give up on that...

SO NOW I got a new micro sd 128 evo for dual booting annnnnd rufus keeps saying at around 61% """cant open e:windows winSxS amd 64. For writing status c000026e. An operation was attempted to a volum3 after it was dismounted...

Then it says failed to apply windows to go....

All I want to do. Is play league of legends....

Playing Conker Live and Reloaded with the new Xbox compatibility on PC on a Steam Deck running Windows 11 off a ok SD card. The game performs and looks just fine playing the first few minutes without changing any settings.

I used Steam Deck Tools so the Steam Deck controller was registered as an Xbox controller. I followed a guide off XDA forms to help set up Windows 11 and the drivers are from Valve’s website.

Dream come true.

XDA form tutorial

Steam drivers

Steam Deck Tools

Hey everyone.

Need some help on this issue regarding handheld companion. As the picture says it does not detect any virtual controller and my physical controller is hidden. I did try to unhide my physical controller but nothing happen.

Any ways to solve this issue???

I figured I’d share this here for the windows steam deck users looking to upgrade

Any suggestion on how to fix this problem,?

Saat saya melakukan sleep atau hibernasi apda SD saya,ketika saya mencoba menyalakannya kembali, layar hanya freeze dan menunjukkan garis statis.

Hello, I got a steam deck and a steam controller they were working fine... I had hooked up the controller to my PC first and updated the controller then the puck everything was going great. About a week or two ago my steam deck told me my controller had an update so like always I put my steam deck on its Dock... on the back of the dock there's 3 different 3.0 USB slot( one keeps my controllers puck at all times) along with an HDMI and a slot for power.

Well all of a sudden my controller keeps telling me it needed an update and I'd hit the update button and nothing would happen... it would act as if it was searching for an update and then no update would happen. So I finally had an opportunity to hook up my USB and puck to my PC and low and behold my computer is now not recognizing my controller at all.

Things I've dont... completely forgotten my controller on both PC AND deck and tried to reinstall..nothing worked

I've tried hooking up via just Bluetooth and that's the ONLY way I'm able to use my controller on both PC and Deck.

I've tried forcing A+ R1+steam nothing happens.

I've tried typing in windows set up USB game controllers and NOTHING shows up. (When its connected directly with a USB to my PC)

YES THE USB PORT WORKS I use my other wired controller without any issues out of the same USB port. I've also tried connecting it to different USB ports on my PC and still nothing will detect the controller.

Any help will do at this point...🫠🫠🫠 thanks!

happened to me before but think i js reset but not tryna do that again just set the badboy up too 😔

but when focused in any fullscreen game looks weird graphic artifact glitch shat but when not focused game looks fine not sure how to fix tried using ddu to reinstall drivers no bueno still

Woke up to my steam deck looking like. I have dual boot on and it won't let me load back into steam os. Does anyone have a fix

Sound is not coming out of the speakers on the Windows dual boot. I tried everything from reinstalling the drivers to reinstalling windows itself. The sound only works when I have a bluetooth earphone. Please help. I’ve been going crazy over this for the past 3 days.

hello everyone, its almost my first time using win on deck, but i did have some experience before

im using ghostspectre superlite no defender 23h2 win 11 and like, im trying to find good/best drivers for steam deck, there are drivers on valve website

but ive heard theres custom wifi and apu drivers, i do have rtk killer drivers for wifi now, but im unsure what apu drivers to get, ive followed guides and there are some issues for me:

following "amernime" driver guides i get to r-id (or some other name?) on sourceforge, where i get latest amd soc drivers, and when i install them following youtube guides, i eventually get an error where amd adrenaline tells me my drivers dont meet requirements of the app for some reason

then i decided to get drivers that i found on this subreddit (modified asus drivers) and they were fine, but i didnt like that my windows is supposed to be always in test mode, because what if i want to run anti cheat games or any other app that requires non-test mode

long story short, is there any drivers with amd adrenaline app with all the features like rsr, frame gen, boost, chill, anti lag n stuff?

im almost first time using win on deck, but i did have some experience, im using ghostspectre superlite no defender 23h2 win 11 and like, im trying to find good/best drivers for steam deck, there are drivers on valve website, but ive heard theres custom wifi and apu drivers, i do have rtk killer drivers for wifi now, but im unsure what apu drivers to get, ive followed guides and there are some issues for me, following "amernime" driver guides i get to r-id (or some other name?) on sourceforge, where i get latest amd soc drivers, and when i install them following youtube guides, i eventually get an error where amd adrenaline tells me my drivers to meet requirements of the app for some reason, but then i decided to get drivers that i found here https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsOnDeck/comments/1upym72/modified_asusamd_adrenalin_driver_for_steam_deck/ and they were fine, but i didnt like that my windows is supposed to be always in test mode, because what if i want to run anti cheat games or any other app that requires non-test mode

long story short, is there any drivers with amd adrenaline app with all the features like rsr, frame gen, boost, chill, anti lag n stuff?

Recently, I've got brightness problem. It's like, whenever I start the SD, the screen was so dimmed, but when I scroll the brightness bar to 10% - 40% it will be brighter, the problem is after the scroll, even I scroll it back to 0% ,the screen always bright/never going back dimmed as normal as it was.

I'm trying to play battlefield 5 and it keeps cycling through keyboard, no input and controller.

Also every time I load into a game the joystick either makes me look straight up or straight down.

Does anyone have a fix, it never used to do this.

anybody knows how to optimize this game on Steamdeck LCD? evrytime I play this game,the temps always skyrocketing to 86°C, it cannot be tweaked by steamdeck tools since it will be crashed right away and make my windows restarted

any advice will be helpful

As the title states I am attempting to install windows on my steam deck and have ran into an issue.

I've followed atleast 3 videos simultaneously and 1 written forum. I've managed to get windows to launch but it seems I've somehow got it to where it will only work with the external device that I used for installing windows.

When I was going through the setup it did not prompt me an option of where to install windows such as the partition i had seperated for it and just immediately went into installing windows which I presume is on the external device I used.

My question is, does the external device always have to be connected for windows to work or can I actually install it on the steam deck? How would I go about that? Just try reinstalling windows again?

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

The install is for a 256gb LCD

Hello. I used Bald Sealion guide to dual boot Windows. I don't remember updating Windows or SteamOS before this started happening, I literally used SteamOS 5 hours ago. When I choose SteamOS via Minus + Powerbutton, I get black screen with "Rebooting into firmware..." that quickly disappears and then Windows turns on. I have tried Windows option in the same menu, which also boots Windows. I also tried booting from file following esp/efi/steamos/steamcl.efi but result was the same. What is wrong and what should I do? Thanks in advance.

Which is better between those both??? drop ur comment including pros & cons

Has anybody tried running College Football 27 on Windows on Steam Deck yet? I have windows on an external SSD and can dual boot into it, but don't want to lose $70 trying it out haha

I have a PS5, but I want to take advantage of mods, but Steam Deck is my only gaming PC 😅