I installed Windows on Steam Deck and I regret it

Valve’s Steam Deck famously runs the Linux-based SteamOS, but now that Windows drivers are out, it’s not the only game in town anymore. Is Microsoft’s OS the better pick, or should you stick to SteamOS?

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MUSIC CREDIT
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Intro: Laszlo - Supernova

Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High

CHAPTERS
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0:00 Intro
0:44 Navigating the UI
2:53 What does Windows think of Steam Deck?
3:57 Gaming experience vs SteamOS
7:26 Benchmarks
8:12 Non-Steam games
11:27 Other caveats
12:50 Installation considerations
13:28 So... Why bother?
15:40 Conclusion

[BNSke]

There is a reason, Sony and many other gaming device vendors are developing their own OS for their gaming device, and that is to having total control over the whole stack. Valve is developing SteamOS to no to be dependent on Microsoft to keep this is running as intended and hoping that after Windows updates nothing breaks. with their own OS Valve has the total control.

[boothy]

Everyone - desperate to get their hands on a steamdeck.

Linus - hold my beer while I use a steamdeck to prop up another steamdeck

[WigWoo]

You don't press B to go back in retroarch. You are already on the root menu

You need to press Left on the DPAD or analog stick to go back.

Thats not a steamdeck issue, thats just the default bindings

[updatedpodcast]

Definitely knew that this would happen, it makes sense overall but it's pretty cool that you can do it for certain things you may want to do. Love the transparency steam is currently practicing when it comes to the deck.

[Pilbsu]

You need to add retro-arch as a "non steam game" to the steam client and then the deck controls will work properly. Same behaviour with the steam controller.

[exod]

If you've ever used a controller managed by Steam on your desktop this behaviour makes a lot of sense. Just think of the touchpad as a touchpad and the rest of the buttons on the steam as a controller.

[TerruvianPuff]

2:26 Actually, when you boot windows on a steam deck, or any computer for example windows thinks of most of the hardware or controllers as "software controlled" unless you're using system level mouse and keyboard. This also affects USB Xbox controllers, which are able to navigate windows. When you start a UAC promt, windows locks off software controlled devices, preventing them from accessing a UAC prompt. This is supposed to have some virus or false admin control protection.

[Lambda_Ovine]

Very interesting to see a mainstream device with drivers optimized for Linux and not Windows. It's full of all the "Oh, it works! No... wait, it does not... Ok, kinda" that all Linux users are familiar with or have experienced after switching at least once lol

[joaopauloalbq]

Pre-compiled shaders was a very smart move by Valve as the hardware is the same on every SD.

[wickersticks]

I wouldn't put windows on a PS5 or a X-Box, and similarly I wouldn't put windows on my Steam Deck. But at the end of the day, it's my device, I should have that option for the principal of it. And it's amazing to see Valve respect my right to do what I wish with my device

[bitwolfy]

As for Elden Ring, the reason it worked so much better on Linux is because they fixed a flaw in the way the game does shaders in the windows version. Due to very poor programming from Fromsoft, the game decides to discard any shaders it generates very rapidly, for no good reason. VKD3D (the DX12 to Vullkan layer) has a per game config specifically for Elden Ring, which tells it to NOT discard those shaders, thus performance is better.

[AlTheEngineer]

Ok, January 2024, this video is mostly 99% invalid now - I think LTT should put a disclaimer on it! We now have fully functional dual boot on the Deck, proper Windows drivers for everything required (including audio and WiFi). Heck, we even have fast switch between SteamOS and Windows now (Clover, etc.). I play Fortnite on my Deck on Windows (due to anti-cheat limiting it from running on Linux) and I am currently doing 60 FPS on medium settings. Also, if you want to access the running apps / tasks, swipe your finger from the left edge of the display - Windows will bring up the visual task manager on any touch screen device. Lastly, I recommend using Windows 10 LTSC instead of Windows 11, you get a significant boost in performance AND you also get ZERO bloat! Also, you can fix the sleep issue by adjusting the power plan settings to never turn off the SSD on sleep.

[ailivac]

As someone who's used Linux with lots of different laptops over the past 15+ years, I've become all too familiar with the unique type of frustration that comes from using a device whose manufacturer has only designed its various specialized components for one OS with a completely different one.

This was pretty hilarious to watch from the other side.

[AfaqDraw]

I'm happy that Valve are putting effort into creating a polished OS (SteamOS) and an increase of games that can be played on Linux. It's nice to not have to depend on Windows as the only option forever.

[wwijsman]

Wtf, I was not expecting the GOG client I made in my free time while learning Python to reach a Linux Tech Tips video at some point 😱

[EvenTheDogAgrees]

The right trigger for left click and left trigger for right click is consistent with their Steam Controller. As are the two trackpads on either side of the device. They're essentially porting the Big Picture style experience with Steam Controller to the handheld form factor, more or less.

[anepicotter]

“I own this and I can do what I want”

If only most hardware devs understood this concept

Edit: by devs, I didn’t mean the actual individual developers. I meant the development corporations. It was a reference to how they’re all fighting right to repair

[cooker-e]

Its nice to see a company like valve to take such a different route compared to what the others take.. Huge respect to valve!

[Thanatos]

I'm blown away by how much work Valve has put into Linux over the past couple years. I was finally able to move fully to Linux; it's gotten to the point where every game I throw at Proton just works, usually with no tweaking, as well as or better than native Windows.

[PurushaDesa]

“I do wot a want!”
_Five minutes later._
“This was a terrible decision.”