{"id":1207891,"date":"2026-02-20T23:06:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TUESUkdHXKX6dBWUxZEvjZ"},"modified":"2026-02-20T23:06:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:06:52","slug":"ive-swapped-windows-for-the-latest-steamos-build-on-my-legion-go-s-and-im-not-going-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/ive-swapped-windows-for-the-latest-steamos-build-on-my-legion-go-s-and-im-not-going-back\/","title":{"rendered":"I’ve swapped Windows for the latest SteamOS build on my Legion Go S and I’m not going back"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The latest stable SteamOS update, version 3.7.8<\/a>, has finally brought in official Legion Go S support, making the handheld the first certified non-Steam Deck SteamOS device<\/a>. There’s a SteamOS version of the Legion Go S<\/a> launching in a couple of days, but this also means the Windows version that’s already in the wild should now officially work with SteamOS, too.<\/p>\n

This latest version of the OS also packages “improved support for other AMD powered handhelds (like the ROG Ally and original Legion Go)”, though we’ve tried it with a Framework 13 Strix Point laptop <\/a>that has the same internals as a handheld and it didn’t like it one bit\u2014we couldn’t get it working.<\/p>\n

I had no such troubles with the Legion Go S<\/a>. I’ve been excited to use Valve’s OS on the device ever since I learned there was going to be compatibility, given how irksome it can be to use Windows on a handheld device, sometimes. So, I thought I’d try it out and see how running SteamOS on it stacks up against running Windows.<\/p>\n

Once I stopped using a dodgy external drive for the SteamOS install and switched to one that, well, works, the installation was pretty smooth. Valve explains how to install the OS here<\/a>, under the “Re-image \/ Install SteamOS” section.<\/p>\n

You download the recovery image, burn it to a USB drive in Rufus, and boot your Legion Go S into it. Just bear in mind that you have to first disable Secure Boot in the Legion Go S BIOS (volume up + power button from powered off).<\/p>\n

I also ensured boot from USB was enabled in the BIOS settings, and then I plugged the USB drive in and booted into the pre-BIOS screen and selected the USB drive from the Boot Menu. That got me into SteamOS.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\"Lenovo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From there, installation was easy. I selected the icon that would have me wipe the drive and install the OS, and ran through the SteamOS installation, logging into my Wi-Fi and then into Steam. The whole process took less than 30 minutes, though of course this will depend on your download speed.<\/p>\n

Once I was in, I knew things were official because the OS gave me a little run-through of the Legion Go S buttons and what they do in SteamOS. The guided tour even finishes with “We hope you enjoy your Legion Go S,” which made me feel reassured.<\/p>\n

The recovery image you install actually isn’t the latest 3.7.8 version, though\u2014it’s 3.7.7. But there was an update waiting for me as soon as I got everything installed, and this got me up to 3.7.8. It wouldn’t let me do the update until I plugged the Legion Go S in, though, so fair warning on that.<\/p>\n

Once that was sorted, all that was left was to adjust the TDP. This is done from the right-hand Steam settings overlay. I set this to 25 W because my tests on Windows were done in Performance mode, which tends to average up to about 25 W. There’s the option to boost all the way up to 40 W, though, just as there is on Windows. (I found such a high TDP setting to not really be worth it during my original testing on Windows.)<\/p>\n