Steam Deck’s Recent Beta Update Adds Support for Windows 11 

Valve hasn’t had the best of hardware attempts in the past, but it ended this rather hapless streak with Steam Deck. The portable powerhouse is not only an exceptional gaming console but a functional PC too, which allows Valve to let Steam Deck support other operating systems besides just the in-built one.  

Thanks to the fact that this micromachine is an open platform and the devs’ progress, Steam Deck is now officially compatible with Windows 11. 

Owing to a BIOS update in beta testing, Steam Deck fully supports Microsoft’s latest OS. The in-progress patch lets users utilize Windows 11’s exclusive features by permitting fTPM for the device’s AMD chipset. 

You can opt into this by going to Settings > System on your Steam Deck, and selecting Beta from the OS Update Channel. Again, this OS and BIOS are still in Beta and being tested, so only opt-in if you would like to try it out and provide feedback

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However, this does not mean that the operating system will function smoothly on the Deck even despite full compatibility because Windows 11 is yet to be fully optimized for the handheld. Therefore, it’s better to be on your guard if you’re planning on making this bold move, as you could run into a few hiccups. 

There’s no doubt that installing Windows 11 on Deck will let you dive into many handy features like Microsoft’s DirectStorage API to accelerate load times on the device.  

But given that the handheld is still in its early days, we’d recommend that you rely on SteamOS and wait for Windows to receive polished driver support. 

Here’s a complete changelog of Steam Deck’s OS Beta Patch: 

• Added messaging when a charger that doesn’t meet the minimum bar is plugged in 
• Added uncapped framerate setting in Quick Access menu > Performance 
• Added fTPM support, enabling Windows 11 installation 
• Added button combo: hold “…” + “Volume Down” to reset PD contract in the cases where Steam Deck gets stuck due to an incompatible Type-C device 
• Updated power LED to dim a few seconds after power supply connection events for better experience in dark environments 
• Improved compatibility for a number of Type-C docks and PSUs 
• Improved battery life in idle or very low usage scenarios 
• Improved stability 
• Fixed issues where the touchscreen does not work after some boots 
• Fixed compatibility with some SD cards specifically when used as boot devices. 
• Fixed ACPI error spew in the kernel 

About Valve Software

Valve Corporation, also known as Valve Software, is an American video game developer, publisher, and digital distribution company based in Bellevue, Washington. Valve is best known for the software distribution platform Steam, along with gaming franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, and Dota.