SteamOS 3 explained: what it is and can you install it on PC?
SteamOS 3 is Valve's Arch-based gaming OS for Steam Deck and Steam Machine. What it is, which devices run it, and how to install it on an AMD PC.
SteamOS 3 is Valve's Linux-based operating system for the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine, and a growing list of AMD-powered PCs and handhelds. It is built on Arch Linux, boots straight into a controller-friendly Steam interface, and runs Windows games through Valve's Proton compatibility layer. You can download it free from Valve and install it on your own PC, but official support covers only AMD hardware.
This guide explains what SteamOS 3 is, how it differs from the older SteamOS 2, which devices run it officially, and how to install it. It also covers when a community distro such as Bazzite is the better choice.
What is SteamOS 3?
SteamOS 3 is the third generation of Valve's gaming operating system, first released in March 2022 with the Steam Deck. On its SteamOS page, Valve describes it as an Arch Linux-based distribution whose base components are open source. It ships with the proprietary Steam client and some proprietary third-party drivers.
At the time of writing (September 2026), the stable release is SteamOS 3.8, and SteamOS 3.9 is in preview testing, according to Phoronix. distro.watch tracks the release history on the SteamOS versions page.
SteamOS 3 vs SteamOS 2: what changed?
The original SteamOS 1 (2013) and SteamOS 2 (2015) were built on Debian and designed for living-room Steam Machines. SteamOS 3 switched to an Arch Linux base, which gets new kernels, graphics drivers, and Mesa releases much faster. That matters for gaming on recent hardware.
- Base: SteamOS 2 was Debian-based. SteamOS 3 is Arch-based.
- Windows games: SteamOS 2 mostly ran native Linux games. SteamOS 3 runs most of the Steam library through Proton.
- Updates: SteamOS 3 updates the whole system as a single image, so you don't manage packages yourself.
- Desktop: SteamOS 3 includes a full KDE Plasma desktop.
- Status: SteamOS 2 reached end of life in 2019, while SteamOS 3 is actively developed. See the SteamOS 2 support dates and SteamOS 3 details.
How SteamOS 3 works
Gaming Mode is what you see at boot. The Steam client runs full screen as the interface, optimized for controllers, with quick suspend and resume, per-game performance settings, and Game Recording. Valve says the vast majority of the Steam library runs on SteamOS thanks to Proton. Its Verified program labels games that do and don't work well.
Desktop Mode switches to a regular KDE Plasma desktop. Since SteamOS 3.8, it uses Plasma 6.4 and runs on Wayland by default. From there you can browse the web, install apps from the Discover store (as Flatpaks), and add other game launchers. Valve's FAQ confirms that SteamOS devices are not locked to Steam games.
Atomic updates: the base system is read-only by default and updated as a whole through Valve's update manager. An update either applies completely or not at all, which makes it hard to break the system by accident. The tradeoff is that system-level changes, such as packages installed with pacman, can be overwritten by the next update. Our guide to atomic Linux explains this model in more detail.
Which devices run SteamOS 3 officially?
Valve's SteamOS installation and repair page splits hardware into two tiers. At the time of writing (September 2026):
- Powered by SteamOS (full official support): Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Lenovo Legion Go S.
- Beta SteamOS support: Lenovo Legion Go, ASUS ROG Ally, ASUS ROG Ally X, other AMD-powered handhelds, and PCs with AMD discrete graphics cards.
The Legion Go S was the first third-party handheld sold with SteamOS. The Steam Frame, Valve's headset, uses its own SteamOS image. Everything else runs the same image as the Steam Deck.
Can you install SteamOS 3 on a PC?
Yes. Valve now publishes a SteamOS image "for Deck/Machine/PC" that you can install on AMD-powered desktops and handhelds. Keep these limits in mind:
- AMD only. Valve's support list covers AMD handhelds and AMD discrete GPUs. NVIDIA and Intel graphics are not on the list.
- It wipes the drive. The installer's main option, "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS", erases the whole device. There is no dual-boot option in Valve's installer, so use a spare drive if you want to keep Windows.
- Secure Boot must usually be off. On most non-Steam Deck devices, you need to disable Secure Boot in the firmware settings to boot the USB drive.
- Support is limited. Valve says Steam Support may have limited ability to help with hardware outside the Powered by SteamOS list, and it asks PC users to report problems on the SteamOS GitHub.
- It is not a general desktop OS. Valve's own FAQ says users should not consider SteamOS a replacement for their desktop operating system.
How to download and install SteamOS 3
This is a summary of Valve's official steps. Follow the full instructions for your device.
Step 1: Download the SteamOS recovery image from Valve's installation page. Use the Deck/Machine/PC image unless you have a Steam Frame.
Step 2: Write it to a USB drive of at least 8 GB. Valve recommends Rufus on Windows and balenaEtcher on macOS or Linux.
Step 3: Back up anything you need, because the next steps erase the internal drive.
Step 4: If you are not using a Steam Deck, disable Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
Step 5: Boot from the USB drive. On a Steam Deck, hold Volume Up and press Power, then choose Boot Manager. On a Steam Machine, press Esc during startup. On other PCs, use your manufacturer's boot menu key.
Step 6: In the recovery desktop, choose "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS", then reboot into the SteamOS setup.
The same USB drive also offers "Repair SteamOS", which reinstalls the system while trying to keep your games and files, and "Re-image Device", which is a full factory reset.
Pros and cons of SteamOS 3
Pros:
- Console-like experience that boots straight into your Steam library
- Tuned by Valve for handhelds: suspend and resume, per-game frame limits, controller support
- Atomic updates that are hard to break
- Free, with a full KDE Plasma desktop when you need it
Cons:
- Official PC support covers AMD hardware only
- Games with kernel-level anti-cheat that blocks Linux won't run
- Valve's installer has no dual-boot option
- Limited support outside Valve's own devices, and not designed as an everyday desktop
SteamOS 3 alternatives
If your PC has an NVIDIA card or you want a proper desktop as well, a community distro is usually the better fit. Bazzite is the closest alternative. It is built on Fedora Atomic, offers a Steam Gaming Mode for handhelds and living-room PCs, and ships NVIDIA drivers. Its project site notes that NVIDIA support in Gaming Mode is still in beta. Our Bazzite vs SteamOS comparison covers the differences side by side.
For a traditional desktop that also games well, see CachyOS vs SteamOS and Nobara vs SteamOS. The full list is in SteamOS alternatives and our ranking of the best Linux distros for gaming.
Who should use SteamOS 3?
SteamOS 3 is the right choice if you own a Steam Deck, Steam Machine, or Legion Go S, or if you are building an AMD-based living-room PC that should behave like a console. If you want one PC for gaming and everyday work, have NVIDIA graphics, or need dual boot with Windows, choose Bazzite or another gaming-focused distro. You can also compare options on the live distro rankings.
Is SteamOS 3 free?
Yes. SteamOS is a free download from Valve. Companies that want to sell devices with SteamOS or use Valve's trademarks need a license from Valve, but personal installs don't.
Does SteamOS 3 work with NVIDIA GPUs?
Not officially. At the time of writing (September 2026), Valve's support list covers AMD handhelds and AMD discrete GPUs only. If you have an NVIDIA card, Bazzite's NVIDIA images are the closest alternative.
Can I dual boot SteamOS and Windows?
Not with Valve's installer, which wipes the whole device. The safest approach is to install SteamOS on a separate drive and choose between drives in your PC's boot menu, or to use a community distro such as Bazzite with a standard Linux installer.
Is SteamOS 3 based on Arch Linux?
Yes. Valve confirms that SteamOS 3 is an Arch Linux-based distribution. Earlier versions, SteamOS 1 and 2, were based on Debian. Browse other Arch-based distros to compare.
Can SteamOS run non-Steam games?
Yes. Switch to Desktop Mode to install other launchers and apps, then add them to Steam to launch them from Gaming Mode. Games with anti-cheat that blocks Linux still won't run.