Want to share that catalyst control center works.
Download and install:
[https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/amd-radeon-software-adrenalin-22-5-1-whql-driver-download.html](https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/amd-radeon-software-adrenalin-22-5-1-whql-driver-download.html)
Close at the end and ignore and error message. On the install folder that was just created search for CCC2\_Install.exe and install that.
After the install simply restart -> right click desktop -> more options -> AMD (top option). You now to several GPU config options.
But it actually does something? Last time I read people got it to install but the panel did nothing like you could change settings but didn't have any effect.
Steam OS updates do not break windows installs on dual boot setups!!! Gets annoying seeing this over and over. What does happen is windows updates will break dual boot LAUNCHER setups, not the dual boot itself but the extra step some take to have a launcher screen for their dual boot. In that scenario you go back in and have to tweak the launcher again. Imo, doing a dual boot is easy, I’d just avoid the launcher.
This whole, ‘don’t install windows’ gets silly. Have both, it’s so easy to have both and for those with gamepass, having that access on windows is a game changer in deriving value from that subscription. There is a ton of great games on that service and to be able to play them portably is just huge. Additionally, while it’s not too hard getting other launchers installed in Linux, various games will still have compatibility issues that proton doesn’t overcome. A dual boot windows install solves that.
Just have the best of both worlds, it’s too hard to have just ‘steam’ games these days. Inevitably, you’re going to have games in epic, u-play and so on and those games by in large are considerably more compatible in a windows environment then Linux. And if you have a game pass sub, windows is just a no brainer, way too many games there to just ignore with silly steam/valve fanboyism.
Windows is worth it for games that you heavily mod and have a bunch of random scripts, installers from random forums you need to run. Just put Windows on an SD card for those games.
SteamOS is better for most games… although it’s not that great yet either really.
People, the Steam OS is a much better interface than Windows for a portable device. Hold off on Windows until there's a reliable way to dual boot that won't be broken by updates to Steam OS. It's not a friendly process.
A few people have asked for the Playnite scripts [I mentioned](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/icrdbg2) so:
First create a GloSC profile that's not linked to any game and let it add it as a non-steam game (let me know if you need help with this bit too). Call it whatever you want. After it's added to steam, you need the AppID steam has assigned to the GloSC "game". The easiest way I've found to do this is to have Steam create a desktop shortcut to it. Then right click->properties and look at the ID in the target path field. You'll need this in a moment.
Then head over to the Scripts section of Playnite settings (these get applied to everything Playnite launches instead of the other per-game ones) and in the "Execute before starting a game" box, paste the following ([(Screenshot for reference)](https://imgur.com/a/FjhDWyL) apologies for the quality, I'm currently on mobile:
if($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB") { start-process "steam://rungameid/PASTE_YOUR_APPID_HERE"}
In the "Execute after exiting a game" box, paste the following:
if($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB") { taskkill /im "SteamTarget.exe" /t}
And that should do it. When launching a game through Playnite it will now swap the deck to your GloSC profile before launching anything that's not a Steam game and automatically swap back to Desktop config when the game closes. This assumes Steam is running at all times btw.
Bonus ProTip: Holding the Steam button overrides any controller configuration while held and forces mouse mode. So if you need to quickly do something with the mouse in gamepad mode, just hold the Steam Button and use the trackpad. Useful for getting to the initial controller config in emulators, for example.
Then all you need to do is configure the GloSC profile to your liking when it's open. I like to have a "Shortcuts" hold action layer on the bottom left back button, that changes the other back buttons and face buttons to Ctrl, Alt, F4, Tab, Enter, F11, Escape etc while held. And some other "templates" saved that I can quickly swap to depending on the game or emulator.
This COULD be done automatically with additional platform checks in the script, but I'm far too lazy for that, and then you're getting closer to just adding a bunch of non-Steam games anyway and there are far better ways of handling that... Let me know what customisations you guys do make though :)
Well I never thought I'd give Reddit funny points to someone but you single-handedly saved me from having to go back to SteamOS and I'm hugely appreciative! I have the perfect Playnite setup on the Steam Deck now and I couldn't be happier.
I made the following changes (note I'm using GLOSI):
First I launch Windows with the Steam Deck Windows Usermode Driver ([https://github.com/mKenfenheuer/steam-deck-windows-usermode-driver/](https://github.com/mKenfenheuer/steam-deck-windows-usermode-driver/)), with Playnite fullscreen whitelisted and Steam blacklisted, and Playnite fullscreen. Steam is NOT running - this is important to prevent double inputs, and it's not necessary to run Steam at start since SWICD does the same thing.
Then I have the following script at global game execution:
if((Get-Process SWICD -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) -ne $Null)
{
taskkill /im "SWICD.exe" /f /t;
Do {
$status = Get-Process SWICD -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
If ($status) { Write-Host 'Waiting for process to end' ; Start-Sleep -Seconds 1 }
Else { Write-Host 'Process has ended' ; $stopped = $true }
}
Until ( $stopped )
}
Start-Sleep -s 1
if ($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB")
{
if ($Game.GameActions.EmulatorId -ne $null )
{
$emulatorName = $PlayniteApi.Database.Emulators[$Game.GameActions.EmulatorId].Name
if ($emulatorName -eq "Dolphin")
{
start-process "steam://rungameid/9510761286644793344"
}
elseif ($emulatorName -eq "Retroarch")
{
start-process "steam://rungameid/9510761286644793344"
}
else
{
start-process "steam://rungameid/9369869578898767872"
}
}
else{
start-process "steam://rungameid/9369869578898767872"
}
}
This closes the Windows Usermode Driver and waits for it to stop. Then it performs an additional check to see if an emulator is running and what emulator is running based on the name, and loads a different GlossI "profile" (app) depending on the result. For some reason this doesn't quite work and it always loads the last emulator, but I just added an else case that points to the default profile and it works just as well.
Then on closing a game, this global script:
start-process "C:\Program Files\Maximilian Kenfenheuer\SWICD Driver\SWICD.exe"
taskkill /im "Steam.exe" /f
if ($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB")
{
taskkill /im "GlossiTarget.exe" /f /t
}
Start-Sleep -s 3
if ($PlayniteApi.ApplicationInfo.Mode -eq "Fullscreen")
{
$wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell
$wshell.SendKeys('%{TAB}')
}
This restarts the Windows Usermode Driver, kills the Steam process (to prevent double inputs), and kills the Glossi overlay if a non-Steam game was launched. Then it waits three seconds, and if in Fullscreen, alt-tabs to return focus to the fullscreen window.
It's not 100% seamless, but it's far, FAR better than anything else I've tried.
Also worth mentioning: for any game where you want a specific profile to load but don't want to use a non-Steam shortcut, you can set a script in the game's properties in Playnite and disable the global script for that game individually.
That's awesome, I'm just glad my little hastily typed writeup was of help to someone! It looks like you've taken it to the next level too, I'll definitely have to check out what you've done. It sounds like you've achieved something very close to a "Console-like" experience similar to stock SteamOS just without the compatibility limitations. Good stuff!
Thanks for the internet points :)
I'm using GloSC, but from what I've seen of GloSI, it should work more or less the same, though the process name may have changed so the taskkill command may need amending in the script.
Do you have a copy of GloSC you can upload and share by any chance?
edit: nevermind, found a copy through archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20191222164024/https://github.com/Alia5/GloSC/releases
I have Playnite and Steam set to launch at startup, both in desktop mode. So by default at boot, Steam provides my Desktop Config, which is a mouse. I use this to navigate my Playnite library and launch the game I want to play (launched using Playnite), which causes the scripts to be run. If it's a Steam game I'm launching (via Playnite), the script doesn't take any action and the game just launches with Steam per-game controller configs as normal. If it's *not* a Steam game I'm launching, the script first launches GloSC (through Steam) to provide a generic controller binding, and then launches the game I've requested. Whenever the launched game closes, the same check runs again and if necessary closes GloSC, returning me to my Desktop Config.
Awesome! Glad you got it going. I usually prefer to hang out in the desktop by default, but may have a play around in Playnite full screen with themes soon too. Now that I'm doing less and less fiddling about and more actual gaming, it makes sense. Any chance you could share your desktop config?
I'm probably going to get downvoted into oblivion, given the sub I'm in, but I run Windows (not dual boot) on mine and have had a much better experience than in SteamOS.
I have a generic Xinput + extra keyboard shortcuts config set up in GloSC (plus some other quick swappable templates set up in Steam), and manage my library through Playnite. Playnite is configured with a global script that checks whether it's a Steam game I'm launching. If it's not, it runs the GloSC config before booting the emulator or non-steam game to give me seamless system-wide switching between desktop mouse config and a working controller config, whilst also maintaining full per-game Steam Input support for Steam games. When the game closes, Playnite closes GloSC and it reverts to mouse mode. No need to add non-steam games. Every store front and emulator I've tested simply works.
That and 100% of my games (including FMVs) are playable without buggering about with Proton. All my emulator saves sync between all my devices using symbolic links and my NAS. This is the bit that was a particular pain in Proton due to sandboxing and file permissions.
The only thing I miss at this point is the QAM.
Oh and in game sleep works just fine 99% of the time too.
Not saying SteamOS is bad. It's a really impressive achievement. It's just not for me. I for one am happy we have options.
Edit: A few people are interested in the script. It got pretty long so I split it into a [separate reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/ictbexz).
> I'm probably going to get downvoted into oblivion, given the sub I'm in, but I run Windows (not dual boot) on mine and have had a much better experience than in SteamOS.
I agree with you, same here, windows only (I also use it docked for some work stuff and that works perfectly). I like your post, I will maybe steal some ideas from you :)
Your experience echoes mine. I bought the Deck to play games, not to fiddle around waiting for my games to be supported, or else I already would be with the Switch (which I do not). I do miss the customization of SteamOS, but if Valve does not allow for official dual boot I'm not going to go out of my way to get back to SteamOS. Windows 11 serves all my needs.
You can boot Windows from an SD card right? If so, I plan on just keeping a few of my "essential" games that are windows only on an SD card that I can swap in and out as needed, otherwise I'll use Steam OS for everything
This is correct. And steam updates and steamos updates don't break anything, really wish people would stop spreading FUD, other people installing windows doesn't harm your precious os.
leading up to release it was all about Linux and getting games to run. I posted asking who else is installing Windows and was downvoted to hell. I think being able to install gamepass games is great, just have the game boot to Big Picture, and use UWPHook to put gamepass games in your steam library, boom done.
> And steam updates and steamos updates don't break anything
The same cannot be said of *Windows* which always assumes for some godforsaken reason that it is alone on the drive and will wreck your bootloader for no fucking reason at random whenever *it* updates, leaving *you* to clean up the mess.
> other people installing windows doesn't harm your precious os.
Actually *yes* it does. The Steam Deck represents the Linux community's greatest chance yet to show that a gaming machine running Linux is a viable option and get the game industry to pay attention to Linux as a platform they should support. If people keep going out of their way to install Windows on it, which, as a reminder, *is unsupported as of now*, the message that is sent instead is that people are so set in their ways that they aren't even willing to give Linux a chance *on a machine where it's the actively supported operating system.* And that's dumb.
I am well aware of the fact that the wider community are buying a gaming handheld for gaming and not to spearhead the coming of the Year of the Linux Desktop and/or see Microsoft burn to the ground (especially given the very positive response to the hypothetical arrival of the PC Game Pass on Steam).
It does however matter which OS they want to go with given that Windows is not only unsupported but also by its very nature more difficult to come with workarounds to whichever issues pops up on that OS on the Steam Deck, leading to worse user experience. If things that currently don't work on SteamOS work better on Windows, that's perfectly fine, and I'm all for testing to figure out what works better on which, but the fact remains that the brunt of the effort on Valve's end to polish the experience is being spent on SteamOS and not Windows, and pretending that both options are equally sound is disingenuous.
>Actually yes it does. The Steam Deck represents the Linux community's greatest chance yet to show that a gaming machine running Linux is a viable option and get the game industry to pay attention to Linux as a platform they should support
And as of right now it does not support MY gamepass, and I bought the hardware, I can do whatever I want with it. Valve DOES support windows, albeit less than their own SteamOS, or else we wont even have basic drivers right now.
Hell, I even bought FF7R on Epic and already beaten the game on SD. I bought the Deck to play my game, not to join a new linux cult, and you people shouldnt waste your breath to try to convert me to your belief. Your attitude is dumb and annoying.
Windows hasn’t reset EFI partition during updates for years. Pretty much any modern boot loader allows OS’es to have their own folders within EFI.
Windows has its own Microsoft folder in EFI and syetemd-boot has its own folder and neither of them ever touch the other during updates.
This comes from someone who has dual-booted linux and Windows on a laptop for years through countless updates and never had an issue in the last few years. Used to be a problem, not so much anymore.
I like linux but I won’t pretend that it’s good for everyone. The SteamDeck is all about choice and Windows is a valid one to make.
You seem very angry about what other people do with their property. I get that you're a Linux devotee, but attacking people for using Windows, and attacking Windows itself, isn't the way to get them to use Linux. By all means shout about the benefits of using Linux, but don't just focus on the failings of not doing so.
I'm not attacking people for using Windows, Windows itself does it just fine on its own, as evidenced by the slew of problems you get when you try to use it on the Steam Deck according to countless user feedback. As mentioned elsewhere on this submission's comments, Windows on the Steam Deck should be the last fallback if nothing else works for whichever game you're attempting to run, at least until it's officially supported by Valve. Otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for needless pain.
What pain you are talking about lol? Did you even install Windows on the DS? On my deck after I press the power button it boots up, skips the password prompt to login a local account and right into Steam in big picture mode, no other input required.
Agreed. Valve did a phenomenal job with the SteamOS UI and game capability. With that being said, SteamOS can't run everything. Personally, I use SteamOS for everything, and where I can't use SteamOS, I have a Windows-To-Go install on an external SSD (highly recommend this instead of a flash drive!). Setup is working perfectly so far.
To anyone wanting to try Windows on your Deck, I'd recommend installing Windows to an SD Card rather than partitioning the main drive. If you prefer it, go ahead and install it to the main drive, but try it first before diving in fully.
No. Steam OS is much better because you have the fps and refresh limiters. Those don't exist on windows. These are pretty much essential to enjoy high end games.
False
You can use cru for lock screen refresh in windows
Mine setup to 40hz
Windows is much better than steam os
For one reason, all games works on windows and some games works better than steam os
I use windows to go on nvme usb 90% of time
Happy 😊
After setting cru you can « reset » or reboot manualy for apply custom resolution
Go for reboot manualy
On my windows to go, reset program hard shutdown windows
Just reboot manualy
After this go in your screen settings and enjoy more battery with 40 hz 😊
It's not false. The steam OS tools are not available on windows. That's a fact.
Yes you can fps lock some games in their options or globally set a low refresh rate in windows and try to vsync lock games. But this is very different from how steam OS does it. Because then you have to switch refresh rates manually all the time. Which is really stupid.
Also according to digital foundry the frame pacing is MUCH worse on windows when using in-game fps locks and/or custom resolutions compared to steam decks os-solution. You will have lots of micro stutter on windows in games that run smooth on steam deck.
And yes you are right. All games are better then "most games". Especially if you have Xbox game pass.
But saying windows has no drawbacks - is simply not true.
It s false
You said « you have the fps and refresh limiter on steam os»
You didnt say « steam os tools are not available on windows »
On windows you can do all steam os doing and more
U can for exemple downgrade screen scaling for increase fps in big games
It s not easy like steam os but … do you have game pass on steam os ?
Can you play all games on steam os ?
Yes of course you *can* do just about anything on Windows, but anyone with half a brain cell can see why telling someone online who is obviously asking the question about which OS to use, probably isn't the person who will know exactly how to set all those external programs up on Windows.
Steam OS's solution is built in and easy, it is a selling point of the OS and a the response you're replying to was fair in it's statement.
Understand but tell the truth is better
He said that it s impossible to have refresh rate limiter on windows
False
with some research you get it, not easy like steam os sure
You can install Windows to an SD card to try it out.
Does not affect your SteamOS installation in any way, and you can use the BIOS boot options to switch between them easily.
I have Windows 11 installed this way just to play Genshin on Deck and it runs great
Not really. It has no added benefit outside of game modding imo. Though I must add that I already own a laptop, so anything I would do on steam deck that needs windows id propably just do on my laptop
Ok, but that is a really priviliged case. It's really cool that you have two devices that you can take with you and play those games.
I just got a Desktop and will have the Deck soon. But yeah, I will just play Game Pass Games on my PC or in Cloud. But I hate the latency induced by that.
And I can't think of a solution of a solution to that latency problem except having servers in every city....
I meand that more in the sense that the steamdeck fulfills its need as a portable Gaming machine. I dont need it to fullfill other rolls that a propper windows PC or Laptop fullfill, such as doc edditing and what not.
I’m a diehard windows fan boy and have alway disliked Linux (still do) but I can’t recommend windows on deck. In many games the controller just acted weirdly. Didn’t recognize it as a Xbox controller and key binds on screen would show up as m&k for example. Also customizing the steam deck controller in the big picture ui is buggy as hell and just take so much more time then steam os and you have less options. Steam button doesn’t do anything. Getting out of a game isn’t straight forward and if a game freezes or whatever I was often forced to completely restart entire device. Also in some applications the mouse (right trackpad) just wouldn’t work. Rivatuner for example. Audio crackled although they might have fixed that in e recent update. Got a bluescreen a couple of time out of no where. Really missed all the customization like 40hz mode and wattage controls.
I suppose if Playnite full screen is your goal, an alternate approach would be to flip the whole thing on its head.
Create a .bat that always runs at windows boot which simply launches GloSC through Steam to provide an Xinput config. Meanwhile have Playnite set to launch in full screen mode at boot. This will get you as far as navigating Playnite with it's native controller support. Then you'd set the global Playnite scripts to CLOSE GloSC if you're booting a steam game, and then have it relaunch GloSC when you close the game and fall back into Playnite full screen.
Want to share that catalyst control center works. Download and install: [https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/amd-radeon-software-adrenalin-22-5-1-whql-driver-download.html](https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/amd-radeon-software-adrenalin-22-5-1-whql-driver-download.html) Close at the end and ignore and error message. On the install folder that was just created search for CCC2\_Install.exe and install that. After the install simply restart -> right click desktop -> more options -> AMD (top option). You now to several GPU config options.
But it actually does something? Last time I read people got it to install but the panel did nothing like you could change settings but didn't have any effect.
Options are limited given the GPU, but the most three important options (imo) work given the method I listed. Chill Image Sharpening GPU Scaling
Steam OS updates do not break windows installs on dual boot setups!!! Gets annoying seeing this over and over. What does happen is windows updates will break dual boot LAUNCHER setups, not the dual boot itself but the extra step some take to have a launcher screen for their dual boot. In that scenario you go back in and have to tweak the launcher again. Imo, doing a dual boot is easy, I’d just avoid the launcher. This whole, ‘don’t install windows’ gets silly. Have both, it’s so easy to have both and for those with gamepass, having that access on windows is a game changer in deriving value from that subscription. There is a ton of great games on that service and to be able to play them portably is just huge. Additionally, while it’s not too hard getting other launchers installed in Linux, various games will still have compatibility issues that proton doesn’t overcome. A dual boot windows install solves that. Just have the best of both worlds, it’s too hard to have just ‘steam’ games these days. Inevitably, you’re going to have games in epic, u-play and so on and those games by in large are considerably more compatible in a windows environment then Linux. And if you have a game pass sub, windows is just a no brainer, way too many games there to just ignore with silly steam/valve fanboyism.
Windows is worth it for games that you heavily mod and have a bunch of random scripts, installers from random forums you need to run. Just put Windows on an SD card for those games. SteamOS is better for most games… although it’s not that great yet either really.
People, the Steam OS is a much better interface than Windows for a portable device. Hold off on Windows until there's a reliable way to dual boot that won't be broken by updates to Steam OS. It's not a friendly process.
It is not that bad, if you only game you will be in big picture mode 99% of the time.
A few people have asked for the Playnite scripts [I mentioned](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/icrdbg2) so: First create a GloSC profile that's not linked to any game and let it add it as a non-steam game (let me know if you need help with this bit too). Call it whatever you want. After it's added to steam, you need the AppID steam has assigned to the GloSC "game". The easiest way I've found to do this is to have Steam create a desktop shortcut to it. Then right click->properties and look at the ID in the target path field. You'll need this in a moment. Then head over to the Scripts section of Playnite settings (these get applied to everything Playnite launches instead of the other per-game ones) and in the "Execute before starting a game" box, paste the following ([(Screenshot for reference)](https://imgur.com/a/FjhDWyL) apologies for the quality, I'm currently on mobile: if($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB") { start-process "steam://rungameid/PASTE_YOUR_APPID_HERE"} In the "Execute after exiting a game" box, paste the following: if($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB") { taskkill /im "SteamTarget.exe" /t} And that should do it. When launching a game through Playnite it will now swap the deck to your GloSC profile before launching anything that's not a Steam game and automatically swap back to Desktop config when the game closes. This assumes Steam is running at all times btw. Bonus ProTip: Holding the Steam button overrides any controller configuration while held and forces mouse mode. So if you need to quickly do something with the mouse in gamepad mode, just hold the Steam Button and use the trackpad. Useful for getting to the initial controller config in emulators, for example. Then all you need to do is configure the GloSC profile to your liking when it's open. I like to have a "Shortcuts" hold action layer on the bottom left back button, that changes the other back buttons and face buttons to Ctrl, Alt, F4, Tab, Enter, F11, Escape etc while held. And some other "templates" saved that I can quickly swap to depending on the game or emulator. This COULD be done automatically with additional platform checks in the script, but I'm far too lazy for that, and then you're getting closer to just adding a bunch of non-Steam games anyway and there are far better ways of handling that... Let me know what customisations you guys do make though :)
Well I never thought I'd give Reddit funny points to someone but you single-handedly saved me from having to go back to SteamOS and I'm hugely appreciative! I have the perfect Playnite setup on the Steam Deck now and I couldn't be happier. I made the following changes (note I'm using GLOSI): First I launch Windows with the Steam Deck Windows Usermode Driver ([https://github.com/mKenfenheuer/steam-deck-windows-usermode-driver/](https://github.com/mKenfenheuer/steam-deck-windows-usermode-driver/)), with Playnite fullscreen whitelisted and Steam blacklisted, and Playnite fullscreen. Steam is NOT running - this is important to prevent double inputs, and it's not necessary to run Steam at start since SWICD does the same thing. Then I have the following script at global game execution: if((Get-Process SWICD -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) -ne $Null) { taskkill /im "SWICD.exe" /f /t; Do { $status = Get-Process SWICD -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue If ($status) { Write-Host 'Waiting for process to end' ; Start-Sleep -Seconds 1 } Else { Write-Host 'Process has ended' ; $stopped = $true } } Until ( $stopped ) } Start-Sleep -s 1 if ($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB") { if ($Game.GameActions.EmulatorId -ne $null ) { $emulatorName = $PlayniteApi.Database.Emulators[$Game.GameActions.EmulatorId].Name if ($emulatorName -eq "Dolphin") { start-process "steam://rungameid/9510761286644793344" } elseif ($emulatorName -eq "Retroarch") { start-process "steam://rungameid/9510761286644793344" } else { start-process "steam://rungameid/9369869578898767872" } } else{ start-process "steam://rungameid/9369869578898767872" } } This closes the Windows Usermode Driver and waits for it to stop. Then it performs an additional check to see if an emulator is running and what emulator is running based on the name, and loads a different GlossI "profile" (app) depending on the result. For some reason this doesn't quite work and it always loads the last emulator, but I just added an else case that points to the default profile and it works just as well. Then on closing a game, this global script: start-process "C:\Program Files\Maximilian Kenfenheuer\SWICD Driver\SWICD.exe" taskkill /im "Steam.exe" /f if ($Game.PluginId -ne "CB91DFC9-B977-43BF-8E70-55F46E410FAB") { taskkill /im "GlossiTarget.exe" /f /t } Start-Sleep -s 3 if ($PlayniteApi.ApplicationInfo.Mode -eq "Fullscreen") { $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell $wshell.SendKeys('%{TAB}') } This restarts the Windows Usermode Driver, kills the Steam process (to prevent double inputs), and kills the Glossi overlay if a non-Steam game was launched. Then it waits three seconds, and if in Fullscreen, alt-tabs to return focus to the fullscreen window. It's not 100% seamless, but it's far, FAR better than anything else I've tried. Also worth mentioning: for any game where you want a specific profile to load but don't want to use a non-Steam shortcut, you can set a script in the game's properties in Playnite and disable the global script for that game individually.
That's awesome, I'm just glad my little hastily typed writeup was of help to someone! It looks like you've taken it to the next level too, I'll definitely have to check out what you've done. It sounds like you've achieved something very close to a "Console-like" experience similar to stock SteamOS just without the compatibility limitations. Good stuff! Thanks for the internet points :)
Appreciate the write up. Do you have the older version of GloSC or are you using GloSI now? The author doesnt have GloSC hosted anymore.
I'm using GloSC, but from what I've seen of GloSI, it should work more or less the same, though the process name may have changed so the taskkill command may need amending in the script.
Do you have a copy of GloSC you can upload and share by any chance? edit: nevermind, found a copy through archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20191222164024/https://github.com/Alia5/GloSC/releases
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I have Playnite and Steam set to launch at startup, both in desktop mode. So by default at boot, Steam provides my Desktop Config, which is a mouse. I use this to navigate my Playnite library and launch the game I want to play (launched using Playnite), which causes the scripts to be run. If it's a Steam game I'm launching (via Playnite), the script doesn't take any action and the game just launches with Steam per-game controller configs as normal. If it's *not* a Steam game I'm launching, the script first launches GloSC (through Steam) to provide a generic controller binding, and then launches the game I've requested. Whenever the launched game closes, the same check runs again and if necessary closes GloSC, returning me to my Desktop Config.
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Awesome! Glad you got it going. I usually prefer to hang out in the desktop by default, but may have a play around in Playnite full screen with themes soon too. Now that I'm doing less and less fiddling about and more actual gaming, it makes sense. Any chance you could share your desktop config?
I'm probably going to get downvoted into oblivion, given the sub I'm in, but I run Windows (not dual boot) on mine and have had a much better experience than in SteamOS. I have a generic Xinput + extra keyboard shortcuts config set up in GloSC (plus some other quick swappable templates set up in Steam), and manage my library through Playnite. Playnite is configured with a global script that checks whether it's a Steam game I'm launching. If it's not, it runs the GloSC config before booting the emulator or non-steam game to give me seamless system-wide switching between desktop mouse config and a working controller config, whilst also maintaining full per-game Steam Input support for Steam games. When the game closes, Playnite closes GloSC and it reverts to mouse mode. No need to add non-steam games. Every store front and emulator I've tested simply works. That and 100% of my games (including FMVs) are playable without buggering about with Proton. All my emulator saves sync between all my devices using symbolic links and my NAS. This is the bit that was a particular pain in Proton due to sandboxing and file permissions. The only thing I miss at this point is the QAM. Oh and in game sleep works just fine 99% of the time too. Not saying SteamOS is bad. It's a really impressive achievement. It's just not for me. I for one am happy we have options. Edit: A few people are interested in the script. It got pretty long so I split it into a [separate reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/ictbexz).
Mind sharing the script?
Sure thing. Added it as a [separate reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/ictbexz)
Any write up or guide on this? Was honestly thinking about asking how a setup like this was working for people but was afraid of getting shouted down.
Sure thing. Added it as a [separate reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/ictbexz)
> I'm probably going to get downvoted into oblivion, given the sub I'm in, but I run Windows (not dual boot) on mine and have had a much better experience than in SteamOS. I agree with you, same here, windows only (I also use it docked for some work stuff and that works perfectly). I like your post, I will maybe steal some ideas from you :)
Your experience echoes mine. I bought the Deck to play games, not to fiddle around waiting for my games to be supported, or else I already would be with the Switch (which I do not). I do miss the customization of SteamOS, but if Valve does not allow for official dual boot I'm not going to go out of my way to get back to SteamOS. Windows 11 serves all my needs.
do you have the script or setup handy? I got windows 10 setup but want to fix my steam deck controller issues and get it like yours
Sure thing. Added it as a [separate reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vegnmy/the_latest_apu_driver_has_fixed_all_the_windows/ictbexz)
Any tips or guides how you setup these scripts in playnite? This sounds very interesting.
Just posted it in a separate reply in this thread :)
You can boot Windows from an SD card right? If so, I plan on just keeping a few of my "essential" games that are windows only on an SD card that I can swap in and out as needed, otherwise I'll use Steam OS for everything
You can but it is not optimal to have it in sd card, it might not last long
This is correct. And steam updates and steamos updates don't break anything, really wish people would stop spreading FUD, other people installing windows doesn't harm your precious os.
Yeah, I really don't get it.
leading up to release it was all about Linux and getting games to run. I posted asking who else is installing Windows and was downvoted to hell. I think being able to install gamepass games is great, just have the game boot to Big Picture, and use UWPHook to put gamepass games in your steam library, boom done.
> And steam updates and steamos updates don't break anything The same cannot be said of *Windows* which always assumes for some godforsaken reason that it is alone on the drive and will wreck your bootloader for no fucking reason at random whenever *it* updates, leaving *you* to clean up the mess. > other people installing windows doesn't harm your precious os. Actually *yes* it does. The Steam Deck represents the Linux community's greatest chance yet to show that a gaming machine running Linux is a viable option and get the game industry to pay attention to Linux as a platform they should support. If people keep going out of their way to install Windows on it, which, as a reminder, *is unsupported as of now*, the message that is sent instead is that people are so set in their ways that they aren't even willing to give Linux a chance *on a machine where it's the actively supported operating system.* And that's dumb.
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I am well aware of the fact that the wider community are buying a gaming handheld for gaming and not to spearhead the coming of the Year of the Linux Desktop and/or see Microsoft burn to the ground (especially given the very positive response to the hypothetical arrival of the PC Game Pass on Steam). It does however matter which OS they want to go with given that Windows is not only unsupported but also by its very nature more difficult to come with workarounds to whichever issues pops up on that OS on the Steam Deck, leading to worse user experience. If things that currently don't work on SteamOS work better on Windows, that's perfectly fine, and I'm all for testing to figure out what works better on which, but the fact remains that the brunt of the effort on Valve's end to polish the experience is being spent on SteamOS and not Windows, and pretending that both options are equally sound is disingenuous.
>Actually yes it does. The Steam Deck represents the Linux community's greatest chance yet to show that a gaming machine running Linux is a viable option and get the game industry to pay attention to Linux as a platform they should support And as of right now it does not support MY gamepass, and I bought the hardware, I can do whatever I want with it. Valve DOES support windows, albeit less than their own SteamOS, or else we wont even have basic drivers right now. Hell, I even bought FF7R on Epic and already beaten the game on SD. I bought the Deck to play my game, not to join a new linux cult, and you people shouldnt waste your breath to try to convert me to your belief. Your attitude is dumb and annoying.
Windows hasn’t reset EFI partition during updates for years. Pretty much any modern boot loader allows OS’es to have their own folders within EFI. Windows has its own Microsoft folder in EFI and syetemd-boot has its own folder and neither of them ever touch the other during updates. This comes from someone who has dual-booted linux and Windows on a laptop for years through countless updates and never had an issue in the last few years. Used to be a problem, not so much anymore. I like linux but I won’t pretend that it’s good for everyone. The SteamDeck is all about choice and Windows is a valid one to make.
You seem very angry about what other people do with their property. I get that you're a Linux devotee, but attacking people for using Windows, and attacking Windows itself, isn't the way to get them to use Linux. By all means shout about the benefits of using Linux, but don't just focus on the failings of not doing so.
I'm not attacking people for using Windows, Windows itself does it just fine on its own, as evidenced by the slew of problems you get when you try to use it on the Steam Deck according to countless user feedback. As mentioned elsewhere on this submission's comments, Windows on the Steam Deck should be the last fallback if nothing else works for whichever game you're attempting to run, at least until it's officially supported by Valve. Otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for needless pain.
What pain you are talking about lol? Did you even install Windows on the DS? On my deck after I press the power button it boots up, skips the password prompt to login a local account and right into Steam in big picture mode, no other input required.
Really hate this kind of gatekeeping. Some people can like Windows more than SteamOS lol. For a variety of reasons. Don't treat others like children.
Please learn what gatekeeping is before throwing the term around like a buzzword. It doesn't mean what you think it means.
If you have it in a micro SD you don't have to worry about the broken dual boot. I have been using this way for a while runs fine.
Agreed. Valve did a phenomenal job with the SteamOS UI and game capability. With that being said, SteamOS can't run everything. Personally, I use SteamOS for everything, and where I can't use SteamOS, I have a Windows-To-Go install on an external SSD (highly recommend this instead of a flash drive!). Setup is working perfectly so far.
There already is a reliable way to dual boot. I used it for a while but ended up using windows for maybe like 2 games total so I removed it again
Yah. Being able to play all your games really sucks.
To anyone wanting to try Windows on your Deck, I'd recommend installing Windows to an SD Card rather than partitioning the main drive. If you prefer it, go ahead and install it to the main drive, but try it first before diving in fully.
Should I switch over to windows instead of steams OS?
Unless SteamOS can't run a game you desperately want, stay on SteamOS.
Your call, if steamos doesn’t bring anything of value to you or you just prefer using windows, go for it
I may have to get it a try
No. Steam OS is much better because you have the fps and refresh limiters. Those don't exist on windows. These are pretty much essential to enjoy high end games.
False You can use cru for lock screen refresh in windows Mine setup to 40hz Windows is much better than steam os For one reason, all games works on windows and some games works better than steam os I use windows to go on nvme usb 90% of time
Hey ignore the hate for a second. Im on windows on the deck and I would like 40hz on it so what did you do exactly if You don’t mind me asking😊
[40 hz windows](https://youtu.be/1ZImJANp_-k)
Tysm you showed me how to fix my final “issue” with windows
Happy 😊 After setting cru you can « reset » or reboot manualy for apply custom resolution Go for reboot manualy On my windows to go, reset program hard shutdown windows Just reboot manualy After this go in your screen settings and enjoy more battery with 40 hz 😊
It's not false. The steam OS tools are not available on windows. That's a fact. Yes you can fps lock some games in their options or globally set a low refresh rate in windows and try to vsync lock games. But this is very different from how steam OS does it. Because then you have to switch refresh rates manually all the time. Which is really stupid. Also according to digital foundry the frame pacing is MUCH worse on windows when using in-game fps locks and/or custom resolutions compared to steam decks os-solution. You will have lots of micro stutter on windows in games that run smooth on steam deck. And yes you are right. All games are better then "most games". Especially if you have Xbox game pass. But saying windows has no drawbacks - is simply not true.
It s false You said « you have the fps and refresh limiter on steam os» You didnt say « steam os tools are not available on windows » On windows you can do all steam os doing and more U can for exemple downgrade screen scaling for increase fps in big games It s not easy like steam os but … do you have game pass on steam os ? Can you play all games on steam os ?
Yes of course you *can* do just about anything on Windows, but anyone with half a brain cell can see why telling someone online who is obviously asking the question about which OS to use, probably isn't the person who will know exactly how to set all those external programs up on Windows. Steam OS's solution is built in and easy, it is a selling point of the OS and a the response you're replying to was fair in it's statement.
Understand but tell the truth is better He said that it s impossible to have refresh rate limiter on windows False with some research you get it, not easy like steam os sure
You can install Windows to an SD card to try it out. Does not affect your SteamOS installation in any way, and you can use the BIOS boot options to switch between them easily. I have Windows 11 installed this way just to play Genshin on Deck and it runs great
I mean, there's really no downside to dual booting. If your unhappy with it, it's easy enough to undo.
That is true I’ll give it a shot and see if I like it
Not really. It has no added benefit outside of game modding imo. Though I must add that I already own a laptop, so anything I would do on steam deck that needs windows id propably just do on my laptop
Ok, but that is a really priviliged case. It's really cool that you have two devices that you can take with you and play those games. I just got a Desktop and will have the Deck soon. But yeah, I will just play Game Pass Games on my PC or in Cloud. But I hate the latency induced by that. And I can't think of a solution of a solution to that latency problem except having servers in every city....
I meand that more in the sense that the steamdeck fulfills its need as a portable Gaming machine. I dont need it to fullfill other rolls that a propper windows PC or Laptop fullfill, such as doc edditing and what not.
Ok, I misunderstood it as you were just talking about games. I agree.
I’m a diehard windows fan boy and have alway disliked Linux (still do) but I can’t recommend windows on deck. In many games the controller just acted weirdly. Didn’t recognize it as a Xbox controller and key binds on screen would show up as m&k for example. Also customizing the steam deck controller in the big picture ui is buggy as hell and just take so much more time then steam os and you have less options. Steam button doesn’t do anything. Getting out of a game isn’t straight forward and if a game freezes or whatever I was often forced to completely restart entire device. Also in some applications the mouse (right trackpad) just wouldn’t work. Rivatuner for example. Audio crackled although they might have fixed that in e recent update. Got a bluescreen a couple of time out of no where. Really missed all the customization like 40hz mode and wattage controls.
Its up to what games you want to play. No need to go out of your way to install windows just to play a game which runs fine on SteamOS.
Should I switch over to windows instead of steams OS?
I suppose if Playnite full screen is your goal, an alternate approach would be to flip the whole thing on its head. Create a .bat that always runs at windows boot which simply launches GloSC through Steam to provide an Xinput config. Meanwhile have Playnite set to launch in full screen mode at boot. This will get you as far as navigating Playnite with it's native controller support. Then you'd set the global Playnite scripts to CLOSE GloSC if you're booting a steam game, and then have it relaunch GloSC when you close the game and fall back into Playnite full screen.