SteamOS is Valve’s free, Linux-based operating system built around the Steam library and a controller-friendly interface. For years it ran only on the Steam Deck. Since the SteamOS 3.8 stable release in June 2026, Valve lets you install it on a regular desktop PC, as long as the PC meets a few hardware conditions.
This guide explains what SteamOS is, which PCs work, how to install it step by step, how to fix the most common first-boot problems, and which kind of gamer should stay on Windows.
What Is SteamOS and Can You Install It on Any PC?
SteamOS is a gaming operating system from Valve that boots straight into a console-style Steam interface.
It sits on top of Arch Linux and ships with Steam, the Proton compatibility layer, and a full KDE Plasma desktop. Proton translates Windows game code into Vulkan calls on the fly, which lets most Windows titles run without a port. You can switch from the big-screen gaming mode to the desktop mode to browse the web, edit documents, or install regular Linux apps.
Valve also sells the Steam Machine, a compact PC that runs SteamOS out of the box. It starts at $1,049, which pushes many people toward installing the same operating system on hardware they already own.
SteamOS Supported Hardware: Which PCs Can Run It?
SteamOS officially supports a short list of devices, and everything else sits in beta.
Valve fully supports the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine, and the Lenovo Legion Go S. Desktop PCs with a discrete AMD Radeon GPU and other AMD-powered handhelds fall under beta support. Use this table to check your own setup before you start.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPU | AMD Radeon (beta support). Nvidia and Intel discrete GPUs are not supported yet |
| Storage | An NVMe SSD, because the installer looks only for NVMe drives |
| USB drive | 8GB or larger for the installer |
| BIOS | Secure Boot turned off |
| CPU | Recent AMD or Intel chips work. A 12th-gen Intel Core CPU has run SteamOS fine |
Valve says it is working with Nvidia on driver support, but a Valve engineer has said Nvidia support might not arrive in 2026. If your PC has a GeForce card, SteamOS is not a practical choice today. If your hardware passes the check above, follow the steps below in order.
How to Install SteamOS on a PC Step by Step
The installer wipes a drive completely, so back up your data and plan your drive layout first.
Step 1: Protect Your Data
The official installer does not let you pick a target drive, and it can erase every NVMe drive it finds. Back up anything important. If you want to keep Windows or other files, unplug every drive except the one that will hold SteamOS before you boot the installer. A brand new PC with empty drives does not need this precaution.
Step 2: Download the Recovery Image
Open Valve’s SteamOS installation page and download the SteamOS recovery image. Save it to your desktop or downloads folder.
Step 3: Create the Bootable USB Drive
Plug in a USB drive of 8GB or more. On Windows, flash the image with Rufus. On macOS or Linux, use Balena Etcher. Both tools overwrite the USB drive, so make sure it holds nothing you need.
Step 4: Disable Secure Boot
Restart the PC and tap Del or F2 during startup to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings. The key varies by motherboard, and the startup screen usually shows it. Switch Secure Boot off, save, and exit. If the USB drive does not show up as a boot option later, check your motherboard manual for other BIOS settings that block it.
Step 5: Boot the Installer and Wipe the Drive
Restart again and open the boot menu, usually with F12 or Esc, then pick the USB drive. Valve’s guide mentions a “Re-image Device” option, but on a fresh install you choose Wipe Device & Install SteamOS. Confirm the warning and let the process run. On some machines the console closes without a prompt or an error the first time. If you land back at the menu with nothing installed, run the same option again.
Step 6: Finish the Setup Screens
Reboot when the installer asks. SteamOS then walks you through connecting a controller or keyboard, choosing your language and time zone, joining a network, and installing its first update. After the reboot you adjust the screen size so your TV or projector does not crop the image, pick an audio output, and sign in to Steam.
The system opens in a Big Picture style interface by default. Switch to desktop mode from the power menu when you need the KDE Plasma desktop. The switch triggers a reboot. If the network list stays empty or the first update fails during setup, use the fixes in the next section.
SteamOS No Network Found and Update Failed: How to Fix
Fresh installs on desktop hardware often fail at the network step, and two terminal commands fix most cases.
Press Ctrl + Alt + F4 to open a terminal. Log in with the username deck. The account has no password by default. Press Ctrl + Alt + F1 when you want to return to the Steam interface.
Method 1: Restart NetworkManager
Use this when the setup screen lists no networks, even though the PC has a working Ethernet cable. Check the service first:
systemctl status NetworkManagerIf the output shows inactive (dead) and the log ends with a line saying NetworkManager stopped, start it again:
systemctl start NetworkManagerMethod 2: Force the System Update
Use this when the first update starts and then fails with a connectivity message. Run:
steamos-update
When the update finishes, press Ctrl + Alt + F1 to go back to the Steam interface and continue.
SteamOS vs Windows 11: Which Is Better for Gaming?
With SteamOS running, the next question is how it performs against Windows 11. SteamOS often matches Windows 11 in frame rate and beats it on overhead, but it loses on anti-cheat and Nvidia features.
Around 80 percent of the top 100 Steam games run well through Proton, based on ProtonDB ratings. Third-party tests show SteamOS landing a few percent ahead in many Proton-friendly titles. One CPU-limited desktop test moved Shadow of the Tomb Raider from 208 to 219 fps after switching from Windows. On an all-AMD desktop, Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K Ultra came out almost tied, at 84 fps on SteamOS against 85 fps on Windows. SteamOS also costs nothing, boots faster, and keeps fewer background services running.
Windows 11 still wins in these cases:
- Anti-cheat games: Fortnite, Valorant, Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, and Destiny 2 rely on kernel-level anti-cheat that Proton cannot run.
- Nvidia features: DLSS and other Nvidia-specific tools need Nvidia drivers, which SteamOS does not support yet.
- Other launchers and apps: Battle.net, the Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and most peripheral software run best on Windows.
If you play mostly single-player and indie games on Steam with an AMD GPU, SteamOS is a strong pick. If your library leans on competitive shooters or other launchers, stay on Windows or dual-boot. These results also come from desktop-class hardware, so a mini PC with integrated graphics needs a separate look.
SteamOS Performance on Integrated Graphics (AMD APU)
An AMD APU can run SteamOS, but game performance depends entirely on the chip.
A Ryzen 7 5700G mini PC with integrated Vega graphics ran older and lighter games well. Counter-Strike 2 held 90 to 100 fps, and Tomb Raider stayed above 60 fps. Cyberpunk 2077 stayed under 20 fps even on low settings. Pair heavy games with a discrete Radeon card. The same mini PC kept CPU temperatures around 70°C under load, so cooling is not a concern on compact builds. If you want to keep Windows around for anti-cheat games, dual-boot is the next thing to look at.
Can You Dual-Boot SteamOS With Windows?
Valve’s installer does not support dual-boot yet, but community tools and other distros fill the gap.
A community script from the developer Josh5 shrinks your Windows partition and installs SteamOS alongside it, and a graphical version of that tool has appeared recently. It needs BIOS tweaks and some command-line work, so treat it as an advanced route. If you want a SteamOS-style experience with a normal installer, Bazzite is a Fedora-based alternative. It supports Intel and Nvidia graphics, sets up dual-boot from a graphical installer, and offers a full-screen Steam Gaming Mode after sign-in.
If you later return to Windows, plan for extra cleanup. SteamOS creates several partitions, and you have to delete them manually before Windows can reclaim the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SteamOS free?
Yes. Valve gives away the SteamOS image at no cost, so you pay only for the hardware you install it on.
Can I install SteamOS on a PC with an Nvidia graphics card?
Not reliably. Valve supports AMD GPUs only for now, and Nvidia support is still in development with no confirmed date.
Will the installer delete Windows?
Yes, if Windows sits on a drive the installer can see. The wipe option erases the drive without letting you choose which one. Disconnect any drive you want to keep before you boot the installer.
Do I need an NVMe SSD for SteamOS?
Yes. The installer searches for NVMe drives, so SATA-only systems will not complete the install.
Can SteamOS play all my Steam games?
No. Most single-player games run through Proton, but titles with kernel-level anti-cheat do not work. The Steam Deck Verified icon on a store page gives a good first indication.
Is SteamOS still in beta?
For desktop PCs and most handhelds, yes. Only the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Legion Go S have full official support.
