Steam Machine

SteamOS vs Windows on Steam Machine: which games force you to switch?

The Steam Machine ships with SteamOS. Most games run there, but a set of popular multiplayer titles are blocked by anti-cheat and need Windows. Because the dual-boot wizard is not ready, choosing Windows currently means replacing SteamOS, so the choice matters.

Reviewed July 12, 2026.

What SteamOS runs well

SteamOS runs single-player and many co-op games through Proton, which improved again with Proton 11. Games without kernel anti-cheat generally work, and Valve's goal is 4K 60 with FSR upscaling on the 8 GB, RDNA 3 GPU. You keep instant suspend and resume and the console-like Steam interface.

What forces you to Windows

Two things push you to Windows: kernel anti-cheat that does not support Linux, and games or services that require Windows outright, like the Game Pass PC app. From FrameReady's current Steam Machine list, these need Windows:

  • EA Sports College Football 27: EA Javelin (no Linux support yet). official
  • Echoes of Aincrad: None kernel-level. official
  • Fortnite: Easy Anti-Cheat (Epic kicks Linux players). official
  • Call of Duty: RICOCHET (no Linux support). official

EA has said it is exploring Linux support for its Javelin anti-cheat, which could change the EA Sports picture later. Until that ships, treat these as Windows-only on the Steam Machine.

The dual-boot caveat

Valve released official Windows drivers for the Steam Machine covering graphics, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the card reader. But the dual-boot wizard is not available yet, so installing Windows currently requires a full drive wipe. You run one operating system at a time until Valve ships the dual-boot tool with a later SteamOS update.

How to decide

  • Mostly single-player or co-op without kernel anti-cheat: stay on SteamOS.
  • You need Call of Duty, EA Sports, Fortnite, or Game Pass: you need Windows, which replaces SteamOS for now.
  • Unsure about one game: run the compatibility checker.

Common questions

Which games force you to install Windows on the Steam Machine?

Games with kernel anti-cheat that does not support Linux, plus games that require Windows outright. Today that includes Call of Duty, EA Sports titles like College Football 27, and Fortnite. Installing Windows currently replaces SteamOS.

Do you lose SteamOS features on Windows?

Yes. Windows gives you anti-cheat games and Game Pass, but you lose SteamOS's instant suspend and resume, the built-in Steam interface, and the low-maintenance console-like experience. And for now, installing Windows means wiping SteamOS.

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