If I see someone installing windows on a steam machine, I’m losing it.
this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2026
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There were people doing that with their Steam Decks day 1
I did it edit: on my Steam Deck for a few months to play gamepass games direct on hardware. If it’s any consultation, I used windows 10 IOT and eventually switched back to SteamOS.
It works, but windows is so clunky for actual gaming right now.
It wasn’t terrible but it was NOT good. It was useable and I got through a couple of smaller gamepass games.
I wouldn’t recommend it unless a lot has changed for windows portable gaming since 2024.
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Microsoft has done the same thing for years. They provide software, drivers and workarounds for unsupported scenarios while making it clear they won't provide full support. Seems fair.
After working with Microsoft at the enterprise level I can say with confidence they do not offer full support on anything.
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Those plucky Windows users love to hack hardware to get their niche software running. Good for them.
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Seems like Microsoft is who should be supporting Windows. It isn't like Valve can fix Windows issues as Windows isn't open source.
Valve offering drivers and notes is what they are able to offer for someone else's proprietary product.
Microsoft support one of their own products? Crazy talk.
The dumbest part of the article is that the author seems to be blaming Valve for games that chose a kernel level anticheat that only works with Windows and consoles.
But because many anti-cheat apps still aren’t compatible with Linux (hence, SteamOS), installing Windows on Steam hardware is currently the only way that gamers can enjoy titles that require them.
That isn't even a Windows issue. That is a publisher choosing an anticheat that has stupid limitations.
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Why is this headline so awful to read?
Valve releases drivers and notes to make Windows work on Steam hardware, however, they refuse to officially support it though. They won't offer support for "Windows on Steam Hardware," and provide resources "as is".
More readable version.
I absolutely hate how articles always omit the "and" from titles. Instead of "Bob and Steve run for office" they just say "Bob, Steve, run for office".
Right, but it's a really loaded way to say it.
They have no obligation to release Windows drivers at all.
No shit, Valve releases tools to help users that are taking a bite out of Valve's pie, for free, and that makes Valve the bad guy.
The last thing Microsoft gave you for free was Cortana and ads in your start menu.
It's not the OS they planned on working with for the Steam Deck. It's nice they supplied drivers at all for those who chose to do so.
Dude, I hope GoatSynagogue gets paid to be a kernel level anti cheat shill. They're ALL over this comment section defending it and windows and toxic community slop multiplayer games. Maybe they work on anti-cheat software and drink the koolaid?
To me it makes sense. Windows is finicky to begin with. And through the lens of Valve and SteamOS, Windows is basically 3rd party, and many software companies don't support 3rd party "add-ons".
Other than the broad "Microsoft hate" people is thinking about, there are two reason I can think about; and none about Gaben being a Microsoft's scorned ex-employer.
- conflict of interest: Microsoft's EEE. Look it up. If they rule the OS on which majority of Steam Hardware work on, Microsoft rules on a competitors against it's "Xbox experience".
- Microsoft doesn't allow open source drivers to officially run on Windows. Any hardware driver must be done, paid, by close doors at Valve and no extra help as the whole community around mesa and affiliated. There's a reason why Valve is skipping Nvidia on basically everything.
Refuses? "Here's a thing you might like." But I want more.
I mean the hardware was not designed around Windows so I can understand not offering official support for it, even if you can actually get it working.
For decades, most games have been supporting Windows only and some of them MacOS, but little to none did support Linux
Now, the tables have turned!
I'm fine with that, if only they would release half-life 3 already...
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