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Proof-of-concept includes Switch-style UI, better controller support, and more. The Steam Deck's default Linux operating system and the Proton translation layer can run a surprising number of PC games well, but to maximize compatibility and flexibility (and to use it like a PC when you're not gaming), installing Windows is always an option. There are also alternate handheld PC designs like the AYA Neo that ship with Windows by default. But Windows isn't an ideal operating system for the Steam Deck, at least not out of the box. Its mouse-and-keyboard-oriented user interface isn't comfortable or convenient to use on a small handheld system like the Steam Deck. Windows 11 makes some allowances for touchscreens, but its buttons and menus can still be hard to tap on such a small screen. The controller doesn't work outside of Steam, including on Windows' touchscreen keyboard, and installing drivers and launching games for the first time can be a pain. Microsoft is aware of the problems running Windows on the Steam Deck and other similar handheld Windows PCs, and at least some developers inside the company have spent time thinking of ways to address them. That’s the thrust of a leaked presentation (posted in two parts by Twitter user _h0x0d_) about a new “Handheld Mode” for Windows, developed as part of an internal Microsoft hackathon in September 2022. A Nintendo Switch-style simplified game launcher is one of the proposed features for Handheld Mode. Microsoft/Twitter user _h0x0d_ A new series of first-run screens would simplify driver installation and setup. Microsoft/Twitter user _h0x0d_ The presentation begins with a thoughtful examination of everything in Windows that doesn't work well on the Steam Deck and other handhelds out of the box. Microsoft/Twitter user _h0x0d_ As presented, Handheld Mode includes several components: a new first-time setup screen that simplifies driver installation and setup; an improved touchscreen keyboard that fits better on a 7-inch screen and can be controlled Xbox-style with the built-in buttons and joysticks; a simplified Nintendo Switch-esque game launcher; and improved OS-wide controller support thanks to the open source Steamdeck Windows Controller Driver (SWICD) project. The presentation also calls for other changes to Windows' default behaviors, like always opening apps in full-screen mode when in Handheld Mode, better UI scaling for small screens, and "mapping of controls to common Windows functions." While interesting, we have no idea whether Handheld Mode will get buy-in from the rest of the Windows team, and it's not present anywhere in any of the many Windows Insider Preview channels that Microsoft uses to test new features publicly. Windows 11's interface does change in subtle ways when running on a tablet or a convertible PC in tablet mode, but past attempts to graft an entirely separate alternate interface onto Windows—Media Center for TVs, Windows 8's Start screen for tablets—have ended in failure. Still, the ideas presented are conceptually interesting and thoughtful, and including even basic ideas like better controller support in Windows could meaningfully improve the Steam Deck experience. In the meantime, third-party launchers like Steam's Big Picture Mode and LaunchBox Premium can partially solve the user interface problem—while primarily designed for TVs, both present simpler controller-navigable interfaces that also work OK as game launchers on a small handheld screen. Microsoft is experimenting with a Steam Deck-friendly “handheld mode” for Windows

Last month, Valve released an update for SteamOS to bring official Windows 11 support for the Steam Deck. Still, Windows on the handheld console from Valve suffered from poor support and missed some key components, such as audio drivers. Valve has finally fixed this problem by releasing official audio drivers for Windows on the Steam Deck. The release of official audio drivers for the Steam Deck means those tinkering with Windows on their consoles can now use built-in speakers and the audio jack. Previously, the only audio output on the Steam Deck with Windows was Bluetooth. Although the Steam Deck now has all the needed drivers to run Windows 11 and 10 like any computer, replacing SteamOS is not perfect or user-friendly. The Steam Deck does not officially support dual-boot, so you need to wipe the console's drive before installing Windows. That is something Valve is working on, and the company promises to fix it with the release of SteamOS 3 in the future. Not every Steam Deck user cares about swapping SteamOS with Windows, so Valve is naturally more interested in improving SteamOS (the company recently added the option to change the refresh rate per game). The company wants its console to be flexible and experiment-friendly, but it will take time to fix all the needed parts. You can download the latest Windows drivers for the Steam deck from the official Steam Support website. Some Steam Deck owners go beyond just replacing SteamOS with Windows. Recently, a YouTuber decided to see what happens when you connect a flagship GPU to the Steam Deck. Steam Deck finally receives proper audio drivers for Windows

Valve’s Steam Deck portable gaming console is a mini-Windows 10 PC with Steam’s own Steam Deck UI skin. Sometimes companies are reluctant to upgrade such specialist devices, but it seems Valve is more than ready to face the challenge. “There’s nothing to indicate to us yet that there’ll be any issues with Windows 11,” says Valve’s Greg Coomer, designer of the Steam Deck. The company has been working with AMD to make sure the device meets all Windows 11 criteria. “There’s work looking at TPM just now,” Coomer said. “We’ve focused so much on Windows 10, so far, that we haven’t really gotten that far into it. Our expectation is that we can meet that.” “It’s also a conversation that’s going on with AMD to make sure that, at the BIOS level, we can accommodate that,” he added. Steam is touting the Steam Deck as “the most gaming power you’ve ever held”. The device features a 7” multi-touch display, trackpads similar to what we’ve seen on the Steam Controller, and gyroscopic controls for extra wiggly immersion and gameplay, the Steam Deck packs a lot into its £349 starting price tag. Alongside a 2.4-3.5GHz AMD Zen 2 CPU and an AMD GPU, the Steam Deck will also have a 40 watt-hour battery for up to 8 hours maximum battery life when playing 2D games, or “several hours of play time” for most other games. The handheld PC features a USB-C port similar to the Nintendo Switch, and the newly announced OLED model, which will allow you to dock the handheld and plug the portable PC into your TV. Though it’s Bluetooth connectivity, as well as the USB-C port, the Steam Deck will support all manner of accessories from fighting sticks to Bluetooth mice and keyboards, so you can always play with the input you want to. The Steam Deck is expected to start shipping in December 2021 starting at £349 for the 64 GB storage version. The handheld is also available at £459 with 256GB of NVMe storage, or at £569 for 512GB of NVMe storage as well as an “exclusive virtual keyboard theme.” via GamingBolt Valve working to make sure Steam Deck is Windows 11-ready

The Steam Deck ships with SteamOS 3.0, an in-house built modified Arch Linux distribution, but Valve is continuing to remind everyone that the handheld is a PC and not a locked down console. Today, Valve began offering Windows drivers for its newly-released hardware, giving owners another choice when it comes to operating systems. GPU, WiFi, and Bluetooth drivers for Windows are now available, which should be installed for optimal performance and stability on the Steam Deck. Those interested in jumping over can check out Valve's helpful Steam Deck - Windows Resources page here. There are some caveats to keep in mind though. Only Windows 10 is what's supported for now, not 11. "We are preparing a BIOS update that enables fTPM, which is required to install Windows 11," adds Valve. Another down side is not being able to dual-boot with SteamOS and Windows just yet, with the company still working on the feature. Also, Windows audio drivers are still in the works for the handheld, so the speakers and 3.5mm audio port will not provide any audio. The USB-C and Bluetooth can be used for gaining audio in the meantime on Windows. Other than the resources page, Valve won't be providing additional support for getting Windows running on the Steam Deck. Those that may want to switch back to the original SteamOS 3.0 operating system can do so by following the recovery instructions on this support page. Windows drivers for the Steam Deck have landed, though with some caveats