Ultimate Guide to Dual Boot Steam Deck w/ Shared Storage for Internal Drive & SD Card
547This is a culmination of many different things I have seen out there put into one guide to find everything and be able to follow along step by step.
The goal is to add Windows to the Steam Deck to increase versatility of the platform.
Being able to easily run GOG, Battle.net, Epic Games, Photoshop, Mods, etc. Either in situations that a Linux product does not exist, Proton does not work, or anti-cheat is preventing you from using it. Having Windows gives you a valid solution.
I have already used Windows to help me Install Moguri Mod for FFIX, and to play Hearthstone on Battle.net perfectly!
But how do we add Windows without making it a mess and a fuss?
Also, what about losing all that precious storage space for Steam OS, or even Windows by having to divide our storage space?
This guide is a solution to all of that.
Easy and Clean Dual Boot, Almost no waisted space, nor any worry about what OS should get what amount of space as all that space is now SHARED.
Why Shared Storage? Video Here: https://youtu.be/UOCILMf8BYU
Follow along with the video to see how to do it, and here are the links for all the resources.
What You Need:
Atleast 1 8GB USB Drive with USB C or a Hub
Recommended: Keyboard, Mouse, 2 USB Drives 8GB+
1.) Download Steam Deck Recovery Image
a. https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1b71-edf2-eb6d-2bb3
2.) Download Windows 10/11 Image
a. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d
3.) Download Rufus
a. https://rufus.ie/en/
4.) Download Windows Steam Deck Drivers
a. https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6121-ECCD-D643-BAA8
5.) Download BTRFS Driver for Windows
a. https://github.com/maharmstone/btrfs
6.) Create Windows and Steam OS USB Drives with Rufus
7.) Copy Windows Drivers and BTRFS Driver to Windows USB Drive
8.) Image Steam OS onto Steam Deck
9.) Convert from EXT4 to BTRFS
a. https://gitlab.com/popsulfr/steamos-btrfs
10.) Shrink Home Partition to make room for Windows
11.) Install Windows OS Onto Steam Deck
12.) Install Steam Deck Drivers onto Steam Deck
13.) Install BTRFS Drivers for Windows
14.) Install ReFind for easier dual boot
a. https://github.com/jlobue10/SteamDeck_rEFInd
The accessories I currently use and love for the Steam Deck:
1TB Micro SD Cards
SanDisk: https://amzn.to/3D2fLQG
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VBDE8S
GearIT Keyboard Dock w/ Power Delivery, Ethernet, HDMI: https://amzn.to/3s0h8cz
Baseus 65W 3000mAh Power Bank: https://amzn.to/3D1p7wa
Baseus 65W Charger: https://amzn.to/3eyLQX7
Sabrent USB C Hub with HDMI and Power Delivery: https://amzn.to/3s0Cd6v
OwlTree Foldable Stand: https://amzn.to/3eGXq2s
Samsung USB Drive: https://amzn.to/3Tv2WnC
Timecode:
0:00 Introduction
3:40 Downloads & Resources
5:45 Building Windows and Steam OS Boot Drives
10:06 Imaging Steam OS
14:30 Convert File System to BTRFS
19:20 Create Windows Partition
22:45 Imaging Windows 11
24:48 Windows 11 Driver Install
31:00 Creating Windows Directories
34:57 Installing ReFind
39:00 Dual Boot Demonstration
39:50 Outro