Valve has finally released drivers that allow Steam Deck OLED players to install Windows on their devices.
Hello WinDeck fans! We’ve just shipped APU, Audio, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth drivers for Windows on Steam Deck OLED. You can find the updated drivers and notes here: https://t.co/zjU2UbJhz8
If you’re planning to install Windows, please make sure you have the latest BIOS from SteamOS… pic.twitter.com/mgrLL2QIN5
— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) August 15, 2024
Since its release, SteamOS has had built-in support for running .exe files through Proton, and the LCD version of the Steam Deck had Windows drivers released for it back in 2022 with few updates thereafter. Now, gamers can finally pair the raw power, usability, and saturation that the Steam Deck OLED offers with everything Windows can offer on its 7″ OLED display.
Having access to Microsoft’s OS opens the door for playing games in the PC Game Pass library in a somewhat native environment. One of the biggest holdovers when it comes to owning devices made by companies that have rival or competing products is the lack of support going both ways. With Windows on a Steam Deck, that worry evaporates and the possibilities begin to expand. While on SteamOS, players could use guides to install games found in other launchers like Epic, GOG Galaxy, and Battle.net., but with Windows installed, the process becomes as simple as it is on a standard Windows-installed PC.
Installing Windows on a Steam Deck has been possible for quite some time, seeing as Valve first released Windows drivers for the LCD variant back in 2022. Sadly, updates for those drivers were far few and in between, but they did what they were supposed to in ensuring that the Steam Deck performed well or at least in a stable state. The community is made of modders, developers, and tinkerers, and that naturally leads to their being expansive, complex guides for almost any computing scenario imaginable.
Get Started with Windows on Steam Deck OLED
To use the drivers, Steam Deck users will need to install the 3.6.9 beta of SteamOS first. Installing beta software can be risky and begets more problems than solutions, but if the risk is worth it, then it’s worth it. Valve does note within the resources page for the drivers that audio currently only supports plugged-in headphones and Bluetooth, meaning no on-device speaker support just yet.
With that, Valve also stresses that while the release itself is official, Valve does not make Windows, and therefore cannot provide support for the OS or its installation. But harkening back to the community, it’s a sure guarantee that a plethora of guides, installation instructions, and fixes for random odd problems will be shared as the days pass.
Quick note – the audio drivers in this update only enable audio via headphones or Bluetooth. Speaker drivers are still being worked on and will be posted when complete.
— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) August 15, 2024
You can grab the needed individual drivers from here, but just to reiterate, you must install the beta version of SteamOS.
Are you going to try and install Windows on your OLED Steam Deck? Going to wait for it to be included in a full release and not a beta? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.