Guide to Installing Epic Games Store on Steam Deck

The Nintendo Switch demonstrated the viability of portable hybrid consoles, while Valve's Steam Deck has set a precedent for handheld PC gaming. Available in both LCD and OLED versions, both feature a 7-inch display at 60Hz, a 4-core Zen 2 processor, 8-core RDNA 2 graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and SSD storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB.

With support for SteamOS, this portable device allows users to access a vast collection of games available on the popular digital store Steam, which dates back to 2004. Despite being praised for its versatility and performance, it has been noted that its functionality is somewhat limited by the absence of Windows 11, in contrast to other handheld gaming devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. This restriction means that popular titles such as Fortnite and Alan Wake II cannot be played natively on the Steam Deck, as they require the use of the Epic Games Store, an application that is not directly supported.

However, there are ways to get the Epic store working on the device. Here is a guide on how to install Windows on the Steam Deck to access the Epic Games Store:

1. Downloads and Preparation: To begin the installation of Windows, you will need a microSD card and to create an ISO file. Visit the Microsoft software download site for your version of Windows and use the media creation tool to create the file. Make sure to have a blank microSD card with at least 8GB of space and a product key.

2. Creating a Boot Disk: Insert the microSD card into your PC and use free software like Rufus to turn it into a boot disk. Select your microSD card and the Windows ISO you created earlier. Set up the recommendations and start the process.

3. Installing Windows: To install Windows, insert the microSD card into the Steam Deck, turn it off, and turn it on while holding down the volume down button. From the boot menu, select the microSD card and follow the steps to complete the installation, avoiding setting up the Wi-Fi connection initially.

4. Driver Installation: After the installation of Windows, users will need to install updated drivers to enable Wi-Fi connectivity and other devices like audio and Bluetooth.

5. Installing the Epic Games Store: With Windows set up, download the Epic Games Store launcher through a browser, install it, and create or log into your account.

Additionally, there's an alternative to use Proton, a compatibility layer that allows SteamOS to run Windows software, including the Epic Games Store. To do this, you need to install Proton and follow a similar process to add the launcher.

This approach provides more freedom for gamers looking to access non-native titles on the Steam Deck.