Dimapur, March 11 (EMN): Valve on Friday released important drivers for Windows OS support on its Steam Deck handheld console.
The company had promised users that they would be able to boot a different OS on their Steam deck but Windows drivers were not ready on launch day. Users had to be satisfied with the device's SteamOS as the default option. SteamOS is Valve's Linux-based operating system that uses the Proton emulator to run Windows games on the Steam Deck.
However, today's driver update changes everything and now users can finally install Windows on their console as promised.
Looking to try Windows on Deck? GPU, WiFi and Bluetooth Windows drivers for Steam Deck have just landed. More details and info here: https://t.co/JfuTkVCZ82 pic.twitter.com/kZIAC5RPd8
— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) March 10, 2022
Valve's new update includes the all-important GPU, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers that users will need to do a full Windows install. However, these drivers are are being provided for Windows 10 only.
The company informed via a blog post that Windows 11 support will come at a later time. Valve wrote, "We are preparing a BIOS update that enables fTPM, which is required to install Windows 11."
The new update does not include audio drivers. This means that users won't be able to enjoy audio through the speakers or headphone jack on the Steam Deck. Users can, however, use a Bluetooth or USB audio device.
The Steam Deck currently does not support dual booting. Users will have to replace the Steam OS with a Windows OS. "Installing Windows requires you to wipe your Steam Deck, and dual-boot with SteamOS is not currently available," Valve wrote.
However, the company informed that the dual-boot feature will arrive with the launch of SteamOS 3. Valve wrote, "While Steam Deck is fully capable of dual-boot, the SteamOS installer that provides a dual-boot wizard isn't ready yet. This will ship alongside SteamOS 3 once it's complete."