Yes, you can install Windows on a Steam Deck if you really want to
(Windows Phone Central)

Best answer: At its heart the Steam Deck is simply a handheld PC and while it runs a Linux-based OS out of the box you will be able to replace that with Windows if you wish. Steam Deck is just a PC and it can run Windows Linux PCs run on the same hardware as Windows PCs and in essence, the Steam Deck is just a PC. A very small, gaming-optimized PC, but still a PC nonetheless. And that means a certain freedom to tinker with the software, and yes, install Windows 10 or Windows 11 if you wish. Valve recommends not wiping SteamOS for Windows — naturally — but designer Lawrence Yang told IGN that it was possible. `We don`t think people should be locked into a certain direction or a certain set of software that they can install. If you buy a Steam Deck, it`s a PC. You can install whatever you want on it, you can attach any peripherals you want to it. Maybe a better way to think about it is that it`s a small PC with a controller attached as opposed to a gaming console.` What ...