World Of Warcraft On Steam Deck

I recently received a Steam Deck and one of the first things I wanted to practise was install TBC Archetype. I was able to do so but needed to use two different video guides and several Reddit searches to get all the details. So I wanted to document every footstep of installing WoW on the Steam Deck in i place.

These instructions will work for any version of World of Warcraft: Classic, Retail, or Season of Mastery. It'll also work with any other game installed and run from the Battle.net app.

Install WoW On Steam Deck

Required Hardware | Proton-GE | Battle.net | WoW

Moderately Difficulty and No Official Support

To install WoW on a Steam Deck, as well every bit other Battle.cyberspace games, doesn't crave It experience, and plenty of others have gotten it to work and shared their feel before me. Only you need to be aware that the process isn't as quick and easy as it is on your regular gaming PC. Battle.internet does non take a Linux version (the Bone used past the Steam Deck) and Blizzard has stated they have no plans to support the Steam Deck.

In improver to OS compatibility, there are also issues with the Steam Deck itself. It is new hardware with a new Os and anyone who has received ane through the initial preorder process is going through the early on stages of customs adaptation. Desktop Way (which we'll utilize a lot in this process) is non 100% stable. I regularly ran into lock-ups where I needed to either restart Steam or the Deck. Connecting external displays sometimes required a restart to employ the proper resolution. Most of the issues go away once you're installed and set up. Just don't get frustrated if you have to restart or lose some progress, I went through the same thing.

Required Hardware to Install WoW On Steam Deck

In add-on to your Steam Deck, y'all'll desire to take a keyboard and mouse you can connect to information technology to successfully install WoW on the Steam Deck.

Bluetooth is easiest, just pair and yous're good to get.
A wireless set that uses a USB adapter can likewise work, provided you take a USB-C to USB adapter.
Whatsoever wired options volition require a USB-C hub, which will allow you to connect several accessories to the Steam Deck at once.

Dockteck 7-in-1 USB-C hub I'm using with my Steam Deck

If you accept to buy something I recommend either a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse or the Dockteck seven-in-1 USB-C hub, which has been recommended over and over for apply with the Steam Deck.

Once you have a keyboard and mouse connected you can begin the installation process.

Installing Proton-GE

Proton is a compatibility layer that allows Windows programs and games to run on Linux-based systems, such every bit the Steam Deck. There are several versions of Proton, including 1 Steam provides. Proton-GE is a community-built version of the software. And is the virtually recommended version to install WoW on the Steam Deck.

Kicking the Steam Deck to Desktop Fashion. Press and agree the power button, so select Desktop Mode from the options. It'll apace restart and look more than like a PC desktop.
Click on Discovery (app store looking icon at the lesser) and search "proton".
Fnd and click install on ProtonUp-QT.
Launch ProtonUp-QT.
Set the Compatibility Tool to Proton-GE and apply the latest version.
Restart the Steam Deck. Press and concord the power push button, then select the Restart option. Information technology will boot back to Gaming Mode. Yous'll need to once once again restart information technology in Desktop Mode.

At present we have our desired compatibility layer installed and it will be recognized by Steam.

Installing Boxing.net App

This fix of instructions looks intimidating, merely don't stress out before you requite it a attempt. Yous volition repeat some of these instructions before we're done, but they'll become easy once yous've done it one time yourself. This is also the unmarried longest section when it comes to doing an install of WoW on the Steam Deck.

Battle.net installed through Steam

Battle.internet installed through Steam

Downloading & Running Battle.net Setup.exe

Open up Firefox (pre-installed, you can also install Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and several Linux web browsers from the Discovery app if y'all like).
Google "battle.net download" and the commencement link should be the official download page. Download Boxing.cyberspace Desktop App for Windows.
Open up Steam, go to Library and click on Add A Game in the lesser left corner.
Select Add together a Not-Steam Game.
Click Scan.
Click the upper eye pull-down menu and select /home/deck/
Double click on Downloads.
Change File Type (bottom center) to All Files.
Click to select Battle.net Setup.exe, and so click Open.
Click Add Selected Programs. Battle.cyberspace Setup.exe will now announced in your Steam library.
Correct-click on Battle.internet Setup.exe and get to Properties.
Click on Compatibility.
Select Forcefulness the Utilize of a Specific Steam Play Compatibility Tool, and then select GE-Proton. Shut the window.
With Battle.net Setup.exe selected click Play and the Boxing.internet installer will launch and run just similar it would on your regular figurer.
Disable Launch at computer start and employ the default install location.
Use your hardware keyboard to enter your login credentials. If the Steam touchscreen keyboard pops up click on the keyboard icon in the lower right to remove information technology. If information technology repeatedly gets in the way you can use Tab to move the cursor from one field to another. Make certain you click Go along Me Logged In before you log in.
Battle.internet Desktop App should launch and look a lot like it does on your reckoner. Closeout of the scan for games windows and the tour.
Close Boxing.cyberspace.

Running Battle.net App

In my feel Steam becomes unstable at this signal. Go out out of Steam (right-click on the Steam icon in the taskbar and select Leave). So restart Steam and continue.
In Steam remove the Boxing.cyberspace Setup.exe by right-clicking and selecting Remove not-Steam Game. You tin now delete the setup.exe from the Downloads directory, too.
Click on Dolphin (binder icon) in your Task Manager bar.
In the new window click on the three-line menu in the upper right.
Select Prove Hidden Files, then shut the window.
Become back into Steam and repeat steps 8-11. Y'all'll be at the selection screen in your Steam Deck's home directory. Only at present you lot'll see a lot of directories starting with a menses.
Go through this chain of directories: /domicile/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata
You'll now meet several directories, all with just numbers as their names. Ane of them contains the newly installed Battle.internet. It will be 1 of the longer numbers and probable the most recently modified directory. To check double click on a directory, then pfx, then drive_c, then Program Files (x86). The right one will accept a Boxing.internet directory.
Open the Battle.internet directory.
Alter File Blazon (bottom center) to All Files.
Click on Battle.cyberspace.exe to select it, and and so click Open.
Click Add Selected Programs. Battle.internet.exe will now announced in your Steam library.
Right-click on Battle.net.exe and become to Properties.
Click on Compatibility.
Select Force the Use of a Specific Steam Play Compatibility Tool, and then select GE-Proton. Shut the window.
With Boxing.cyberspace Setup.exe selected click Play and and so Battle.net should open again and automatically log yous in. It may not take saved your login from concluding time, in which login and once again select Keep Me Logged In. It should stick the 2nd time.
Click on the Blizzard icon in the upper left, and then Settings.
Prepare When Clicking 10 to Exit Battle.internet Completely. I likewise recommend unchecking Launch when the computer starts.
Click Done. Keep Battle.internet open for the next role.

Clean Up

Go into the Downloads directory and delete the Battle.net setup.exe you downloaded.
In Steam, right-click on the setup.exe, select Manage, and remove it from your Steam library.

Installing WoW to the Steam Deck

WoW running on Steam Deck

This section will work with any game installable by the Boxing.net App, including doing an install of whatever versions of WoW on the Steam Deck.

With the Boxing.net App open select your desired game and click Install.
Once once again, let it to employ its default install location simply you should disable the desktop shortcut.
Your game will download and install just as it would on a computer. Please note a Steam Deck on Wi-Fi will have a slower download than a PC on a wired connection. You need a USB-C hub or USB-C to Ethernet adapter to connect to a wired network.
In one case installed click Play to launch your game and make sure it starts up okay. Once verified shut the game.

Using Battle.internet vs WoW.exe

You can repeat steps 24-33 in the Installing Battle.internet App instructions and add together the WoW.exe directly to Steam. But just like on a computer you'll have to enter your login info and authenticator every time you open the game. You'll also notwithstanding demand to go into the Battle.net app to run game updates. Overall it is easier to just keep Battle.cyberspace in Steam and get into your Blizzard games that way.

Gaming Mode vs Desktop Mode

You can launch Battle.internet (or WoW) through Steam in both Gaming Fashion and Desktop mode. Both modes will let y'all to run Discord and other apps at the same time equally WoW. And both will let you to use a continued keyboard and mouse.

That said, I found Desktop Mode to exist a fleck more stable when running Battle.cyberspace games and easier to reset if the software gets hung up. Each fourth dimension I had Battle.net/WoW, Discord, and the TradeSkillMaster app running in Gaming Manner at to the lowest degree one of them would lock up when I tried to shut them. That requires a full restart (which granted is fast) to overcome. In Desktop Style like problems are less frequent, and can normally be resolved by exiting Steam and restarting that software.

Add Custom Artwork to Battle.internet and Other Non-Steam Games

All not-Steam games and apps you lot add together volition appear with blank, grey rectangles in Steam's library. Yous can add together their artwork to make these items look nicer. This is an optional stride to doing an install of WoW to the Steam Deck.

Box Art & Banners

In Desktop Manner, open your spider web browser and get to https://steamgriddb.com.
Search for the game/app you lot desire artwork for.
You'll want to get box art (tall rectangle) and a imprint (wide rectangle).
Click on the ones you similar, then right-click on the image to salvage it. Be sure to rename it to something you'll recognize (i.due east. Battle-banner). I recommend saving these images to a "Steam Art" directory under Pictures, in instance you demand them once more later.
If the start site didn't accept any banners you similar you can also bank check out https://steambanners.booru.org.

Icons

You'll also desire icons, which are squares. Your best bet for those is to Google "battle.cyberspace icon" and salve (and rename) the ones y'all like.
In Steam (still in Desktop Mode) get to your library and view by collections. Observe the game you want to add the artwork to nether Recent Games.
Correct-click on the blank rectangle, go to Manage, and select Set Custom Artwork.
Select /home/deck from the pull-down bill of fare, and so navigate to where you saved the images.
Select the box fine art file you saved. Y'all may demand to change File Type to All Files to see information technology.
Notice the aforementioned game in the list on the left side and click it to select it.
Right-click in the imprint surface area and select Set Custom Groundwork.
Again, navigate to your saved images and select the banner.
Right-click on the game in the list to the left and select Backdrop.
Click in the blank icon square next to the proper name.
Over again, navigate to your saved images and select the icon. You can also rename the game/app if you lot like.

The box art under collections is the nigh critical if yous desire your Steam library to look nice when in Gaming Mode. The other two mostly merely assist the aesthetics when in Desktop Mode.

For Battle.internet you'll need to exercise this manually, every bit instructed above. Merely for many not-Steam games, you can also try SteamGrid, which is a plan that runs and applies missing artwork to many games.

Creating a WoW Directory Shortcut

My WoW directory location on Steam Deck

If you plan to apply addons or copy over settings from another device and so you lot'll need to create a shortcut to your WoW directory. It volition make setting up any addon managers you lot wish to install to support WoW on the Steam Deck much easier. It besides makes maintaining your WoW settings much easier given the more complicated Linux file system.

Click on Dolphin (folder icon) in your task manager bar.
Click on Domicile on the left.
Go through this chain of directories: /home/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata
You lot'll now see several directories, all with simply numbers every bit their names. One of them contains the newly installed World of Warcraft directory. It will Non be the same folder equally Battle.net. It will be 1 of the longer numbers and likely the nigh recently modified directory. To check double click on a directory, then pfx/drive_c/Plan Files (x86). The right one will take a World of Warcraft directory.
Drag the entire Earth of Warcraft directory to Home on the left.
At the prompt select Link Here. Do Non motility it, or you'll break Boxing.net'southward link to it.
You'll now see a World of Warcraft directory in Dwelling with italics. That is a shortcut to the existent directory.
You can also drag either the original directory or the new shortcut to the left side under Places for a quick access shortcut.

If you ever reinstall WoW this shortcut will interruption and you'll demand to create a new one. Each install ends upwards in its own, uniquely numbered directory.

Installing WoW Addons & Settings to the Steam Deck

If you desire to use the same addons and settings you use on your calculator you have a few options. I concluded upwards doing a combination of two to get things copied over exactly and set to maintain easily.

Copy Settings & Addons Manually

For this section, you'll need a USB-C wink drive or a USB flash drive and a USB-C to USB adapter.

I find this to be the best first step when trying to get my WoW setup on a new device. Yous only demand to do it one time, and then you can use an app to go along everything up-to-date and in sync.

On your master WoW estimator plug in the USB flash bulldoze. Then become to your World of Warcraft binder, typically under Applications (Mac) or Plan Files (x86) (Windows).
Copy the Interface and WTF folders to your flash drive.
Eject the flash drive and connect it to your Steam Deck while in Desktop Mode.
Click on the wink bulldoze icon in the lower-right taskbar and select open and mount for your wink drive. Click open once more if a window doesn't open showing its contents.
In the Dolphin window right click on Home and select Open up In a New Window.
In the new window go to Habitation, so your WoW shortcut.
From the flash bulldoze drag the Interface and WTF folders into the WoW folder. Select Copy when prompted.

Keep the Interface and WTF folders on your flash drive for a while. Just in case setting up and syncing your addons causes a loss of information later on.

Your addons and all game settings are now loaded to the Steam Deck. Y'all should start WoW (open Battle.internet in Steam, and then WoW through Boxing.net) and log into a grapheme. It should expect much like information technology does normally, simply on a smaller screen. Note custom action confined may exist overlapped due to the smaller screen resolution.

Lower Your Graphics Settings

While checking out your addons and settings you probably demand to lower the graphic settings on your Steam Deck copy of WoW, especially if your regular PC has a dedicated GPU. Your install of WoW on the Steam Deck will work at any setting, but keep in mind the Deck may accept lower specs than your master gaming PC.

Using WoW'south Graphics Quality scale in the settings:

seven is what WoW recommends for the Steam Deck using its born display.
3 is what I ended up needing to use when I tested running WoW while connected to a 1440p display. In that configuration, I was pushing the Steam Deck's processor and GPU pretty hard.
Click the Recommended push and employ it to only these settings to run across what WoW recommends based on your setup (if connected to a larger display).

CurseForge for Linux

CurseForge's AppImage file for Linux

CurseForge'south AppImage file for Linux

CurseForge is the mod manager I would recommend you apply for WoW on the Steam Deck. They have a native Linux version that only supports WoW (all variations) and does not include Overwolf, equally they require on Windows. To get the nigh out of CurseForge you'll also need to use it on your primary WoW reckoner.

In Desktop Mode open your web browser and go to https://download.curseforge.com.
The Linux version should automatically announced, click Download.
Yous'll download an AppImage. It contains the app and all the files the app needs to run.
Go to Downloads (open Dolphin with the folder icon and Downloads should be on the list on the left side) and click on the CurseForge AppImage. If it prompts you to permit it to execute then practice so.
Click on Manually Add a Game, equally CurseForge will not be able to find WoW through a scan.
Become to Home, then the Earth of Warcraft short yous created previously (instructions above), and so select _classic (or whichever version of WoW you're doing). Click Open.
CurseForge should now be linked to your WoW install and display whatever currently installed addons.

I recommend moving the AppImage file out of Downloads. 2 popular options are either the Desktop or in an Applications directory in Home (yous may need to create it).

Sync CurseForge Between Devices

CurseForge provides the all-time sync option for WoW addons as of this posting. It is easy to fix on both your Steam Deck and regular gaming calculator. Earlier you sync you demand to get CurseForge setup to your liking on your main figurer.

On your primary WoW calculator, open CurseForge and click on Sync.
Yous may be prompted to log in to Twitch. This is a holdover from when Twitch owned CurseForge. You lot will need to create a Twitch account if you don't take one.
Enable AddonSync.
Select or set up a new Sync Profile.
Enable Auto Sync, Auto Uninstall, and Motorcar Fill-in Addon Settings.
Upload your calculator'south settings for your commencement sync.
On your Steam Deck open CurseForge and repeat the same steps, making sure to bring together the same Sync Profile.
On your Steam Deck, yous'll want to download for your first sync, bringing in your main estimator'due south settings.

Syncing should at present occur automatically. You lot'll merely demand to remember to occasionally open CurseForge on both your calculator and your Steam Deck.

WoWUp for Linux

WoWUp is another popular mod manager which also offers a native Linux version. Only I don't recommend it for ii reasons. One, they recently lost access to the CurseForge API. This means a lot of popular addons tin can no longer be managed by WoWUp. Two, they don't offering a sync function. But if you would prefer to utilise WoWUp over CurseForge here you lot go.

In Desktop Style open your web browser and go to https://wowup.io.
WoWUp for Linux should appear automatically, click Download Now.
You lot'll download an AppImage. It contains the app and all the files the app needs to run.
Go to Downloads (open Dolphin with the folder icon and Downloads should be on the list on the left side) and click on the WoWUp AppImage. If it prompts you to allow it to execute and then do then.
Get to Options, and so Clients.
Click on Add together New (yous cannot successfully scan for your WoW install).
Click on Habitation on the left, then the World of Warcraft shortcut you created (instructions above), then open _classic (or whichever version of WoW you wish to add together). Finally, select the WoW.exe file and click on Open up in the lower right.
WoWUp volition have a moment to scan your directory and will auto-populate any addons already installed.

I recommend moving the AppImage file out of Downloads. Two popular options are either the Desktop or in an Applications directory in Habitation (you may need to create it).

Installing Discord

Discord install through Discover on Steam Deck

Discord install through Detect on Steam Deck

Discord has a Linux native version which can hands exist installed. And it can be run alongside your install of WoW on the Steam Deck without issue.

Click on Notice in the taskbar (app store looking icon).
Search for "discord".
Click Install.
Open Application Launcher in the taskbar (Steam Deck icon).
Go to the Internet department and y'all'll see Discord.
Right-click on Discord and select Add to Desktop. That'll produce an easy to admission shortcut if you plan to use Discord in Desktop Mode. You may also desire to add it to Favorites under the Application Launcher.
Open Steam and become to Library.
Click on Add together a Game, so select Add a Non-Steam Game.
Discord will already be on the list. Select information technology and click Add Selected Programs.

While in Desktop Fashion y'all tin can open Discord directly, either from the desktop shortcut or the Application Launcher. Nosotros add information technology to Steam then you can also open it while in Gaming Mode. Discord can run alongside any game, so yous tin can use it for phonation conversation while gaming like you do on a PC.

ConsolePort Addon for WoW On Steam Deck

ConsolePort is a WoW addon that allows you to play the game on a controller and minimizes many of the inconveniences of trying to get without a keyboard and mouse. A tool worth because, as you're wanting to install WoW on a Steam Deck without a built-in keyboard.

In the CurseForge app install ConsolePort. Or download it from CurseForge'due south website and manually add it to your Interface/AddOn directory.
Open WoW and enable ConsolePort on the characters y'all like, and then log in.
On your showtime login, you'll go through the setup wizard. Don't freak out over the message to reset keybindings, it kept the primary bindings and only reset the secondary.

ConsolePort has a prissy gaming interface and works difficult to fill in all the MMO needs. A lack of a full keyboard for communication is its biggest weakness, as well as any muscle memory you've established. Y'all volition not like it on your first try, but if you want to play WoW with just the Steam Deck in your hands you lot should practise and tweak the addon for a while before giving upwards. As well, look up some ConsolePort-specific guides on YouTube.

For myself, I accept it set up upward to run on my banking company alt but. I tin become through my post and auctions easily enough without retraining over a decade of MMO muscle memory. When playing on my regular characters I'll be sticking to the keyboard and mouse.

Installing TradeSkillMaster

TSM browsing for WoW directory

TradeSkillMaster (TSM) is an avant-garde auction house addon system that uses both WoW addons and a desktop app. If y'all don't regularly use it y'all tin can skip this department of the install WoW on a Steam Deck guide. My gilded-making efforts live and dice past TSM, then I wanted it fully functional on the Steam Deck. My top reason for logging into WoW away from abode is running auctions.

AddOn

The addon part gets installed and gear up when you sync your addons and setting with the Steam Deck. Every bit long every bit you copied over your WTF folder y'all'll have all your information and settings in TSM on the Deck.

Decktop App

If you don't install and run the TSM app you'll get a warning at login, won't have access to AH browse data, and can't sync your TSM data between devices. And then you'll go the best results with the app installed, but you'll demand to exercise it using Steam and Proton every bit yous did for Battle.cyberspace.

Installing TSM Desktop App

In Desktop Way open your spider web browser and go to https://tradeskillmaster.com.
Click Install TSM.
Under TradeSkillMaster App click Download (Windows). You may be prompted to log into your TSM account first.
Open Steam, go to Library and click on Add A Game in the lesser left corner.
Select Add a Non-Steam Game.
Click Browse.
Click the upper center pull-down carte du jour and select /abode/deck/
Double click on Downloads.
Modify File Type (bottom center) to All Files.
Click to select setup.exe, so click Open.
Click Add together Selected Programs. setup.exe will at present appear in your Steam library.
Right-click on setup.exe and go to Properties.
Click on Compatibility.
Select Force the Employ of a Specific Steam Play Compatibility Tool, and so select GE-Proton. Close the window.
With setup.exe selected click Play and the TSM App installer will launch and run just like it would on your regular computer.
Run through the installer as normal, allowing it to install in its default location.
Once the app is installed and launched I recommend closing it and then closing Steam, as Steam can become wonky after such installs.

Setting Up TSM Desktop App

With Steam restarted you can remove the setup.exe from the library list and later delete it from Downloads.
Click on Add A Game in the bottom left corner.
Select Add together a Non-Steam Game.
Click Scan.
Click the upper center pull-down menu and select /domicile/deck/.
Become through this concatenation of directories: /home/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata
One time once more, expect for a long number directory most recently modified. To check it become into pfx/drive_c/Programme Files (x86) and look for the TradeSkillMaster Application directory.
Go into the TSM App directory, then app, and change File Type to All Files.
Select the TSMApplication.exe and add information technology to the Steam library.
Correct-click on TSMApplication.exe in Steam and go to Properties.
Click on Compatibility.
Select Force the Apply of a Specific Steam Play Compatibility Tool, and so select GE-Proton. Close the window.
Open up TSM App from Steam.
Click on the Settings button, then click Browse.
Click My Figurer/Z/home/deck/ and so click on World of Warcraft to select it, and then click the Open push.
Disable all four checkboxes, starting with Run at Startup.
Go to Notifications and disable everything.
Click Done.
If the app is complaining nigh TSM_AppHelper missing check your addons directory in World of Warcraft/Interface (apply your shortcut). Modify "addons" to "AddOns" and that should correct the issue.
Close TSM App and restart it and it should come up normally.

Syncing TSM Data

In my testing, CurseForge's sync did not properly sync my TSM information between my gaming PC and my WoW install on the Steam Deck. You tin can manually copy the WTF directory between devices, which is where your TSM information lives. Or yous can pay for the TSM premium service and go cloud backup storage, which you can use every bit a manual sync.

Click on the Backups tab and you lot'll run across a list of backups. Remote Backup is from some other device. In almost cases when switching devices you'll want to double click on the most contempo Remote Fill-in. That will download it to your current device. Repeat the aforementioned procedure when yous switch devices again.

Please annotation that TSM simply does a backup every hour at most and the sync is not automatic. You'll demand to download the most recent Remote Fill-in whenever y'all modify devices.

Source: https://bittsguides.com/install-wow-on-steam-deck/