The Steam Deck might look like what someone from the ’90s might imagine handheld gaming to look like in 2022, but the device has proven to be more popular than many expected.
With a solid fan base built from first-time PC gamers, Steam aficionados who want to take their library on the go, or those looking to play classic games through emulation, the Steam Deck seems likely to stick around for a while.
However, one of the first things you should install is Proton GE. This allows you to update the Steam Deck compatibility layer, which allows some games to be played on the mobile device, and can also improve the performance of supported titles.
With that in mind, here’s how to install Proton GE on Steam Deck.
What is Proton GE?
Steam Deck runs on Linux, and uses Proton to localize games to run on Linux that are traditionally designed for Windows. It works fine in many cases, but there will undoubtedly be some issues running games on an alternative operating system.
Proton GE (GE stands for Glorious Eggroll, oddly enough), is a version of Proton that gets updated more regularly (sometimes several times a week).
It’s important to remember that Proton GE is not a “silver bullet” fix that guarantees every game’s success. However, users have noticed improvements in the audio and visual elements.
How to install Proton GE on Steam Deck
As with any non-Steam apps, you’ll need to spend some time in desktop mode on the Steam Deck. We recommend having a keyboard handy, but the Proton GE installation process is relatively painless without it.
How to install Proton GE
Enter desktop mode Hold the steaming surface Power button and select “Switch to the desktopto open the Linux desktop.
Install ProtonUp-Qt Click (or tap) the Shopping Bag at the bottom left of the Steam Deck taskbar. This is the explore app – Think of it as an app store for Linux and you’re in the right place.
Go to the search bar, and search for Proton ab-qt. Tap or click Install, and wait for the installation to finish. If you don’t have a keyboard, press and hold the Steam button to the left of the screen and press the X button to bring up the on-screen keyboard.
Once it’s installed, click on the Store page, then click on File start button in the upper left corner of the app.
Add Proton-GE – In ProtonUP-Qt interface, click add version button.
The text of the first dropdown box should look like this:Proton – General Electric‘, while in the second (version), you want to select a file Latest version available Then click the middle install button.
If installed correctly, the installed list for ProtonUp-Qt will contain a new entry for Proton GE.
Add Proton-GE to Steam – before leaving desktop mode, Open Steam (within desktop mode) from the desktop icon and click on “Add a gamein the lower left corner.
Choose Add a non-Steam game and choose Proton ab-qt of options, before closing Steam and double-clicking Return to play mode on the desktop,
How to update Proton GE
Now that you’re back in desktop mode, go to your library and go to File “non-steam” tab.
Here, you can run ProtonUp-Qt to update your Proton GE version without going back to desktop mode. Simply use a file add version Selection.
However, there is no automatic update option, so check regularly for Proton GE updates.
How to enforce compatibility with Proton GE
Once you find a game you want to use a variant of Proton GE on, hit the start button (three lines) on the game library icon and select Properties.
From here, go to Compatibility , Check the box that says “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool” and then select the version of Proton GE you want to try.