The Steam Operating System may finally make it to regular desktop PCs, offering a hassle-free interface, specially crafted for gamers.
Valve Reportedly Readies SteamOS for Desktops; Will Offer Gaming-Centric OS for Gamers
The dream of owning an actual SteamOS-based desktop may be very near. Valve's Steam Deck did something great that made millions of users want to switch to SteamOS permanently, getting rid of the bloatware-infused Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. The easy-to-navigate and gaming-focused operating system is now rumored to be released for regular desktop PCs as well.
This seems pretty exciting, but do keep in mind that it's not yet official. However, the reports do indicate an imminent SteamOS launch for the desktop platform. The user @SadlyItsBradley (SadlyItsDadley on X) posted that the SteamOS is 'almost here'. In the thread, he did confirm that he was talking about SteamOS coming to desktop PCs, and, judging by his post, it seems as if the launch is near.
It’s almost here pic.twitter.com/Ln9PNSRnKD
— SadlyItsDadley (@SadlyItsBradley) March 14, 2025
At this point, considering the success of SteamOS on Steam Deck as well as its release on the Legion Go S, it shouldn't be very surprising that the Linux-based OS can make it to regular desktop PCs. If you have been following SteamOS developments in the past weeks, you must be aware of the fact that Valve was indeed promoting its SteamOS on handhelds other than the Steam Deck itself. Even though it didn't explicitly state anything about the OS coming to PC, it surely knows how many are looking forward to a desktop release.
The user SadlyItsDadley confirmed that Valve has been preparing for a 'general public release' of SteamOS and, if that's true, users may be able to transition from Windows to SteamOS for a more gaming-centric experience. By its default nature, SteamOS delivers a significantly simplified user interface and is bloatware-free, unlike Windows 11, which consumes a lot of your PC resources all the time.
Even though some limitations do exist, through deploying the Proton layer, many games and applications run as good as on Windows OS, shrinking the performance and compatibility gap between both operating systems. It's time when Linux will catch up to Windows in almost every area, making SteamOS a more convenient solution for users, especially gamers who don't want to get tangled in messy updates and want a hassle-free gaming experience.
Valve still has to work on some areas, including its compatibility with NVIDIA GPUs, as currently, AMD and Intel GPUs seem to work better than the former. In case you want to try the SteamOS early, Valve does have an option called 'Build Your Own', through which you can install the SteamOS if your system meets the minimum requirements. Do keep in mind that this particular OS isn't compatible with the Steam Deck.
