SteamOS, the Linux-based operating system designed by Valve for its Steam Deck portable console, is not exclusive to the latter. Valve immediately stated that anyone can freely download it, to install it on various types of PC hardware or even on competing consoles, such as the PlayStation 4.
SteamOS 3.0 represents a huge change from version 2.0: the latter was simply a version of Debian GNU / Linux with minor changes and the Steam client that automatically started in Big Picture mode. Version 3.0 changes the starting distribution (now Arch Linux) with the ultimate aim of making it easier and faster to add new features, integrates many features dedicated to gaming such as AMD’s FSR technology, usable by all games, or Proton, the software that allows you to run Windows games on SteamOS.
The Plasma-based HoloISO desktop with Vapor Credit: HoloISO theme
Despite the intent to make SteamOS available to all users, Valve hasn’t released an ISO yet official installation, but only a recovery image for Steam Deck. As often happens in the Linux world, however, this stumbling block has been overcome by a community project, called HoloISO.
The goal of the project is not only to provide a generic SteamOS installation image, but also that of bring the experience of using SteamOS to PC, with a graphical environment more suitable for desktop use. After starting the system, users will be greeted by the Steam Deck OOBE and once the configuration is complete, they will be able to use the “switch to desktop” function already present in SteamOS to switch to the KDE Plasma interface, more suitable for use on PC .
The distribution was created with the use of archiso (the official ArchLinux tool to create customized installation images from already configured systems) starting from a SteamOS virtual machine and follows a strict no-change policy on work done by Valve.
Here is a short list of features built into HoloISO:
- SteamOS OOBE (Steam Deck UI First Boot Experience)
- Deck UI (separate session)
- Switch to the KDE Plasma Desktop
- Deck UI (with Gamepad support)
- TDP / FPS limiting on Steam Deck
- Global FSR
- Pre-Caching Shader
- Vapor theme made by Valve
- Steam Deck Repository
- Arch Linux repository
Currently, the ISO it can be run on most x86 PCs 64-bit with UEFI and secure boot that can be disabled. Users with graphics cards other than the latest generation AMD cards must change some startup parameters, as reported on the official project page, before they can run the OS and install Nvidia or Intel drivers via pacman.
For more detailed information, FAQs and installation installation guides, we refer you to the official page of the project, which you can find at this Link.
