Valve Expands Steam OS 3.0 to Other Devices

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Valve Expands Steam OS 3.0 to Other Devices​

Valve has officially announced support for Steam OS 3.0 on other PCs, marking an important step in expanding the versatility of their Steam Deck ecosystem. However, with this exciting news comes some disappointing updates, particularly for those awaiting dual boot functionality.

Steam OS 3.0 Expands Beyond Steam Deck​

In a recent update, Valve confirmed support for the back buttons on the ASUS ROG Ally, raising some eyebrows in the gaming community. Unlike previous updates, which were confined to Steam Client or Steam Input changes, this particular update was for Steam OS itself. This development signals that Valve is preparing to integrate support for other handheld devices beyond the Steam Deck, a major milestone in the Steam OS 3.0 rollout.


Valve is moving towards a future where users can dual boot both Steam OS 3.0 and Windows on the same device. However, progress has been slow. Initially promised even before the launch of the Steam Deck, dual booting has been pushed down Valve’s priority list, and now they are only beginning to address it while working on Steam OS support for devices like the ROG Ally.

Disappointing Delays for Dual Boot Support​

Valve's hesitancy to deliver dual boot support has frustrated some Steam Deck users. This feature was touted as a core capability well before the Steam Deck’s launch, yet recent comments from Valve indicate that the company hasn’t been actively working on it until now. This shift in focus towards supporting other devices has left Steam Deck users wondering why such a critical feature has taken so long.


One explanation for the delay is Valve’s focus on other priorities, such as developing Proton (which allows more games to run smoothly on Steam OS) and releasing the Steam Deck OLED. While these are valuable improvements, dual boot functionality is something that many users have been waiting for.

The Need for Dual Boot: A User Perspective​

For many users, the ability to dual boot into Windows is essential for playing games that are incompatible with Steam OS. Popular titles like Call of Duty and Destiny 2 have yet to work on Steam Deck due to anti-cheat software, and while Windows can be installed via a microSD card, it’s a cumbersome process. If Valve made dual booting seamless, it could eliminate the need for some users to rely on additional devices, like the ROG Ally, for certain games.


With the amount of storage available on high-end Steam Decks, having both Steam OS and Windows as options would provide a flexible gaming experience. Many players would welcome this, as it would allow them to enjoy a broader selection of titles without having to carry multiple devices.

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