This article explains how to install Windows on your Steam Deck, how to run Windows from a micro SD card, and how to replace SteamOS.
How to Install Windows 11 on Steam Deck! No Dual Boot
Steam Deck comes with a modified version of Arch Linux called SteamOS. However, the hardware is essentially a handheld PC, so you can swap out the existing operating system for Windows or install Windows to an SD card or USB drive.
If you choose to replace SteamOS with Windows, you can switch back using Valve's SteamOS recovery image. If you install Windows to a USB drive or SD card, you can freely switch between the operating systems every time you boot up your Steam Deck.
You can’t dual boot Windows and SteamOS from the Steam Deck’s built-in storage, but you can if you install Windows to a USB drive or micro SD card. If you only need Windows when your Steam Deck is sitting idle at home, preferably plugged into a powered dock, you can use an external USB-C drive. If you want access to Windows on the go, an SD card is the easiest option.
