Valve Still Lacks Proper Windows Driver Support for Steam Deck

Steam Deck supports both SteamOS and Windows, letting users choose an operating system based on their gaming needs. However, running Windows on the handheld comes with several limitations, including driver support, sleep/wake functionality, and battery life. While the experience has changed over time, much of the progress has come from Microsoft and the Steam Deck community rather than Valve.

For those who are new to the Steam Deck, Windows has been an alternative operating system for quite some time. We occasionally switch back to SteamOS for certain games or situations where it runs better. However, Windows remains an option for users who want to play games that do not natively support SteamOS.

Windows on Steam Deck Still Lacks Proper Driver Support

One of the main reasons to install Windows on the Steam Deck is compatibility with games such as Destiny 2, which doesn't support SteamOS primarily because of anti-cheat requirements. Steam Deck has been a primary PC handheld for many users, but looking back at the Windows experience highlights how little Valve has done to support it.

Putting Windows on the Steam Deck goes against the device's original idea. Valve designed the handheld around SteamOS, so Windows was understandably never a major focus. The company has discussed dual-boot support for years, but an official solution still hasn't arrived.

However, the lack of driver support is a bigger concern. Although AMD is primarily responsible for the drivers, both AMD and Valve share some responsibility for not continuing Windows driver support. The LCD Steam Deck has not received a new Windows driver in almost 3 years.

This doesn't mean Windows will suddenly develop major problems, but the further we move from the original driver release, the less optimized certain experiences can become. This could eventually turn into a bigger issue for Windows users. SteamOS has received more recent updates, but the Windows community is left waiting for driver improvements.

It is a small community, but some users still rely on Windows on their Steam Deck.

The situation is even worse for Steam Deck OLED users, who have not received a driver update since August 2024, which is more than 2 years ago. In some cases, the latest Windows drivers aren't necessarily the best option. For example, Destiny 2 experienced several issues with the newer drivers, including screen tearing, significant performance drops, and frame rate dips.

These problems occurred across different locations and gameplay situations, which made the experience difficult to use. As a result, rolling back to an older driver became necessary. However, finding previous drivers was not easy. Valve does not appear to keep legacy drivers available on its official driver page. Instead, users had to download older drivers from a separate repository.

Using an unofficial repository was not necessarily the safest approach, but keeping an older driver available became important. The previous drivers are now stored on a USB drive in case they are needed again, especially since the website hosting them appears to be unavailable. Overall, the Windows experience on Steam Deck has not improved significantly since the last time it was discussed.

FAQ

Q. Does the Steam Deck support Windows?

A. Yes. The Steam Deck can run Windows, letting users play games that don't natively support SteamOS, including Destiny 2 and Call of Duty.

Q. When was the last Windows driver update for the Steam Deck OLED?

A. The Steam Deck OLED last received a Windows driver update in August 2024, leaving users without an update for more than 2 years.

Q. Does Windows on Steam Deck support the Xbox full-screen experience?

A. Yes. The Xbox full-screen experience is available on Windows devices, including the Steam Deck. However, you may need community-made tools to make it recognize the handheld's built-in controls.

Q. What are the main problems with running Windows on Steam Deck?

A. The main problems include outdated drivers, sleep and wake issues, battery life limitations, and occasional performance problems. Community-made tools help improve the overall experience.