Why You Probably Shouldn’t Install Windows 11 On Your Steam Deck Yet

The problem with using SteamOS on Valve’s mini-computer is that it can’t exactly play every game that’s available for Windows PCs, and not every title in your Steam library plays properly if it isn’t part of the Steam Deck verified list. Installing Windows 11 removes those limitations, turning the Steam Deck into a device that can run virtually any application that meets its specs requirements. This includes titles found outside of Steam’s ecosystem like Epic Games Store and EA Play games, as well as console emulators and various productivity applications like video-editing or graphic-design software. 

Furthermore, using Windows 11 instead of SteamOS opens up your Steam Deck to a plethora of possibilities and use cases. For instance, the Steam Deck specs contain hardware that makes full desktop or multimedia presentation mode possible, including a USB-C display port capable of supporting monitors of up to 8K resolution and a USB 3.2 slot that can connect USB hubs, storage drives, and other PC peripherals. Valve also revealed that the Steam Deck is “fully capable” of dual-booting, which allows switching to Windows 11 without removing SteamOS. Of course, the SteamOS wizard that makes this process convenient isn’t available yet, so setting it up can get complicated. The thing is, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to issues stemming from installing Windows 11.