Okoken's notes

There are many instrusctions to tell how to install Windows physically in the Steamdeck, which is very nice in most of the cases, but sometimes I just want to run a small task in the Windows and in such a scene virtual machine would be much more convenient.

So here is the MEMO of the 1st trial. But to say, personally the 2nd trial Virtualbox solution is better (Link: https://okoken.github.io/post/windows-1011-physical-and-virtual-dual-boot-on-steamdeck-virtualbox/).

🔨<1st trial with KVM>
Tried to install Virtualbox following Archlinux wiki but failed to compile the kernal driver. To avoid ruin my SteamOS, turn around to try KVM which is originally installed.

💡 Pros:
- survives after every SteamOS update, thanks for Distrobox
- better VM disk performance (if good USB SD card reader is used)
💡 Cons:
- relies on USB passthrough, therefore SD card needs to be accessed via USB SD card reader when boot as VM
- complicated share folder solution when boot as VM

💡 Steps:
This method is originally posted in the Steam community. Since I am not using this method anymore, no screenshot is left. 😖
Below is the copy.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3761104049348898945/

💡 Pre-requisite:
💡 Recommended to build a new clean system for it, in case BSoD happened. If you want to go ahead with your existing system, do backup before starting.
💡 WTG recommended to be installed with MBR partition scheme (UEFI + BIOS). GPT may work but did not try.
💡 Use USB SD card reader but not the internal SD card reader for the Windows, unless you could find a way for PCI passthrough.

1. To install distrobox in the HOME path following below site. Thanks to @Liam Dawe.

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/09/distrobox-can-open-up-the-steam-deck-to-a-whole-new-world/

2. To create container Alpine:latest, and follow below site "Installation" and "Management" and "Guest lifecycle management" to install KVM, virt-manager, etc.

https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/KVM
I tried a lot of Linux versions but only Alpine Linux works 😃

3. Run virt-manager in the container, connect to the QEMU/KVM User session, and create new virtual machine with USB passthrough for the SD card with Windows inside, following below site.
   https://www.linux-kvm.org/page/USB_Host_Device_Assigned_to_Guest

4. Start the virtual machine to boot Windows, and enjoy!