🖥️ Running SteamOS in VirtualBox

A complete beginner-friendly guide to running SteamOS in a VirtualBox virtual machine for development and desktop testing.

⚠️ Gaming is not supported due to lack of GPU acceleration.

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📘 What is SteamOS?

SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system developed by Valve, used in Steam Machines and the Steam Deck. It is open source with some proprietary components.

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This guide is intended for testing and development purposes only. You cannot game in this virtual machine as there is no graphics acceleration. It is best suited for developers and tinkerers who want to test the SteamOS environment.

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🔧 Requirements

• VirtualBox
• 7-Zip
• Windows PowerShell
• Internet access

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📥 Step 1: Download & Extract SteamOS

1. Visit the SteamOS download page:
   👉 https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/download/?ver=steamdeck&snr=

2. Accept the license agreement and click Download SteamOS Deck Image.

3. Locate the downloaded .bz2 file in your Downloads folder.

4. Extract using 7-Zip:
   Right Click > 7-Zip > Extract Here

5. Rename the extracted file:

steamdeck-recovery.img

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📁 Step 2: Convert IMG to VDI

1. Open PowerShell in the same folder as the .img file:

   Hold Shift + Right Click in the white space → Select "Open PowerShell window here"

2. Run the following commands:

# Rename the recovery image (if needed)
mv .\steamdeck-recovery*.img .\steamdeck-recovery.img

# Convert IMG to VDI for VirtualBox
& "$ENV:ProgramFiles\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxManage.exe" convertfromraw --format VDI .\steamdeck-recovery.img .\steamdeck-recovery.vdi

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📦 Step 3: Create SteamOS Virtual Machine

1. Launch VirtualBox, then click Machine > New

2. Set these VM options:

• Name: SteamOS
• Type: Linux
• Version: Arch (64-bit)
• Memory Size: 4096 MB or more
• Hard Disk: Create new VDI, Dynamically Allocated, 40 GB

3. Go to Settings:

   • System > Enable EFI
   • Processor > Set at least 2 CPUs
   • Display > Set Video Memory to 128 MB
   • Network > Set Attached to: Bridged Adapter
   • Storage > Under SATA Controller, click Add Hard Disk → Select steamdeck-recovery.vdi

4. Click OK, then click Start > Normal to boot.

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🧰 Step 4: Install SteamOS

1. Wait for the SteamOS desktop to appear.

2. Open Terminal with Repair Tools on the desktop.

3. Run:

# Identify the VirtualBox drive (usually /dev/sda)
sudo fdisk -l

4. Edit the install script:

nano ./tools/repair_device.sh

• Change the DISK= value to /dev/sda or whatever your drive is

• Change the DISKSUFFIX= line to blank (delete p)

• Save: CTRL+O, Enter

• Exit: CTRL+X

5. Run the repair command:

sudo ./tools/repair_device.sh all

• Click Proceed to destroy data when prompted.
• After completion, click Cancel instead of rebooting.

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🔐 Step 5: Configure System in Chroot

🔸 Partition A

sudo steamos-chroot --disk /dev/sda --partset A
steamos-readonly disable
passwd  # Set password
echo -e '[Autologin]\nSession=plasma.desktop' > /etc/sddm.conf.d/zz-steamos-desktopmode.conf
steamos-readonly enable
exit

🔹 Partition B

sudo steamos-chroot --disk /dev/sda --partset B
steamos-readonly disable
passwd  # Set password
echo -e '[Autologin]\nSession=plasma.desktop' > /etc/sddm.conf.d/zz-steamos-desktopmode.conf
steamos-readonly enable
exit

6. Shutdown the VM:

sudo shutdown now

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🧹 Step 6: Remove Installer Image

1. In VirtualBox, open Settings for SteamOS.

2. Go to Storage, right-click the .img or unused recovery disk and click Remove Attachment.

3. Start the VM again normally.

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🧩 Optional: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

1. Once SteamOS boots, open the terminal and run:

passwd  # Verify password
steamos-readonly disable
sudo rm -r /etc/pacman.d/gnupg
sudo pacman-key --init
sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux

2. Edit the pacman config:

sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf

• Change repo sections like this:

[jupiter]       → [jupiter-rel]
[core]          → [core-rel]
[extra]         → [extra-rel]
[community]     → [community-rel]
[multilib]      → [multilib-rel]

• Save with CTRL+O, Enter, then CTRL+X

3. Update the system:

sudo pacman -Syu

4. In VirtualBox, go to:
   Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image

5. In SteamOS, open Dolphin File Manager, click the CD icon, then open a terminal there:

sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
sudo /sbin/rcvboxadd quicksetup all
sudo reboot now

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🎉 You're Done!

You can now use SteamOS in full desktop mode inside VirtualBox.
Screen resizing and integration should now work with Guest Additions installed.

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📄 License

© 2025 Ethan Bonser, ChillVibez Studios  
Version: 1.0.0  
Published: 2025  
License: MIT  

This guide is provided for educational and informational purposes only.
SteamOS and VirtualBox are trademarks of their respective owners.

You are free to share, adapt, and use this content for non-commercial purposes with credit to the author. Redistribution for commercial gain is prohibited without explicit permission.

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👤 About the Author

Ethan Tyler Bonser
Founder & CEO at ChillVibez Studios
📍 Gladwin, Michigan, USA

🎨 Creator • 🧠 Innovator • 🧰 Developer

I’m Ethan — a multidisciplinary creative, software developer, game designer, and entrepreneur. I build tools, apps, games, and experiences that blend creativity with functionality. From experimental Linux environments to expressive GUI tools and 16-bit pixel games, I believe in making technology more personal, inspiring, and fun.

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🏢 About ChillVibez Studios

Digital Media & Development Studio
✨ Projects that inspire, entertain, and empower

ChillVibez Studios is a digital-first studio creating apps, games, and multimedia tools that spark imagination. We focus on interactive experiences, AI-powered utilities, pixel game design, and creative development across platforms. Every product is driven by originality, user-friendly design, and purposeful impact.

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🔗 Connect with Me

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ethanbonser
• GitHub: github.com/ethanbonser

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"Creativity is intelligence having fun." — Albert Einstein