Skip to content

1.2 Windows OS Tweaks

Jump to bottom
baldsealion edited this page Feb 22, 2023 · 30 revisions

LEGACY wiki -- DEPRECATED--

Effective 2-22-2023

Please use the new HTML-based guide https://baldsealion.github.io/Steam-Deck-Ultimate-Windows-Guide/

This wiki will no longer receive updates

This section will go over specific Windows Operating System tweaks that are necessary for the system to function well

Install Visual C++ Modules

For game and application compatibility, please install this all-in-one Visual C++ package

Install Direct X Runtimes

For game compatibility, ensure that Direct X Runtimes are updated:

Disable Edge from Running the Background

By default, Edge will run in the background when closed. These can use system resources. You can disable this by opening Edge, Unchecking ... > Settings > System and Performance > Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed

Enable Automatic Login

If you don't want to be prompted for your Windows password when powering on, or waking from sleep, follow these instructions:

  • Download, open and run Autologon by Sysinternals/Microsoft
  • Make sure the correct account is set and put in your password, then click Enable (application doesn't need to run again unless your password changes)
  • To disable from asking for password when waking from sleep, run Command Prompt as Administrator and enter the following command:

PowerCfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_NONE CONSOLELOCK 0

PowerCfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_NONE CONSOLELOCK 0

Reboot to apply

Adjust Scaling

In Windows, the default Scale is set to 125% - this will result in some windows not fully being displayed on screen.

Right-click the Desktop background and choose Display Settings and under Scale & Layout change Scale from 125% to 100%

Fix Sleep Mode - Disabling Hibernation

Hibernation is unnecessary and can result in BSODs. Additionally it consumes space. Run Command Prompt as Administrator and enter the following:

Powercfg /h on Powercfg /h /type reduced

Reduce Fan Noise

You can reduce fan noise by setting the idle minimum to 0% - Run Command Prompt as Administrator and enter the following:

PowerCfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR IDLEDISABLE 000

PowerCfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR IDLEDISABLE 000

PowerCfg /SETACTIVE SCHEME_CURRENT

This won't help a lot, and you can get better SteamOS-like Fan Control later in the guide in 1.6 SteamDeck Tools Setup

Fix Timezone by changing to UTC

Run Command Prompt as Administrator and enter the following(requires reboot to take effect):

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation" /v RealTimeIsUniversal /d 1 /t REG_DWORD /f

After reboot, set your appropriate time in Settings

Replace On-Screen Keyboard with Touch Keyboard

Download and run the latest version, right-click the file and choose "Run as Administrator"

ReplaceOSK Releases

If you ever want to uninstall it, just re-run it

Enable Automatic Pop-Up of Touch Keyboard

Go to Settings > TIme & Language > Typing

Expand Touch Keyboard and check Show the touch keyboard when there is no keyboard attached

Increase Touch Keyboard keysize

For whatever reason, the Windows 11 Touch Keyboard doesn't scale well with the SteamDeck's resolution and the keys are very small(This is fixed if your system BIOS is F70A110)

  • Open the Touch Keyboard and click the Gear > Theme and resize

  • Drag the keyboard size all the way to 200

Disabling User Account Control(OPTIONAL)

Disclaimer is that turning this off does pose a security risk. This prevents constant pop-ups when installing software, or when launching any programs that have to "Run as Administrator". Disabling this gives a more seamless experience.

  • Open Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts > Change User Account Control Settings
  • Change the slider all the way down to the bottom to Never Notify
  • Click OK and reboot to take effect

Disabling Windows Upgrades/Feature Updates

Windows has in the past had a history of breaking Valve's drivers(ex. Audio Drivers broken in 22H2). Valve usually provides an updated driver, but it is not an immediate thing. To be safe, it is likely best to use InControl to disable feature updates using InControl.

Download the software:

  • GRC Software - InControl

  • Run it and click the button to block updates. No further action is necessary.

  • This will not stop Windows Security Updates from installing(if wanted, use O&O Shutup for that, discussed below)

Disabling Windows Telemetry(and all Windows Updates -- OPTIONAL)

As previously mentioned, if you would like to disable updates entirely, or just block Windows Telemetry, or both, you can use O&O Shutup to do so. Note that disabling Windows updates entirely, does increase the security risk on your Steamdeck.

Download, install and run O&O Shutup:

  • O&O Shutup 10++

  • Search in the top-right for Telemetry and toggle all to be blocked

  • Repeate this for automatic updates if you would like

Remove/Disable Windows Defender Completely(OPTIONAL)

Major security risk -- so entirely optional. For this I won't provide "easy" instructions because it's not recommended for the average user, but the instructions below will do this(disabling Real-Time protection stuff in normal Windows, won't completely disable it):

  • Boot into Safe Mode and open Registry Editor
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Service

Change the following folders key "Start" DWORD to value "4"

  • Sense
  • WdBoot
  • WdFilter
  • WdNisDrv
  • WdNisSvc
  • WinDefend

Once done restart back to normal boot

Proceed to the next wiki Page 1.3 AMD Adrenaline Software

Clone this wiki locally