Steam Deck SSD Upgrade: How to Upgrade the Storage Drive

Upgrade your Steam Deck SSD for an enhanced gaming adventure. A larger and faster SSD ensures smoother game performance and shorter loading times, boosting your gaming experience.

This guide will walk you through the process of upgrading the Steam Deck's solid-state drive (SSD), allowing you to unlock the device's full potential and elevate your gaming experience to new heights.

Introduction: What is the Steam Deck SSD?

Modern games require a lot of storage, and the Steam Deck is no exception. Upgrading your Steam Deck's SSD lets you create a personalized gaming hub tailored to your preferences. With a larger and more efficient SSD, you can store an extensive library of games, including the latest releases and beloved classics. If you're looking to elevate your gaming experience to new heights, a Steam Deck SSD upgrade is the solution for you.

Where Are Steam Games Stored? How to Locate Them

In this article, you'll learn the storage locations of Steam games on Windows, macOS, and SteamOS. When your Steam games get accidentally deleted, you can recover your Steam game files.

This guide reveals the benefits of upgrading your Steam Deck's SSD, paving the way for expanded storage and a smoother gaming experience.

How to Upgrade the Steam Deck's SSD

Are you looking to enhance your Steam Deck experience with more storage? A Steam Deck SSD upgrade is all it takes.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to upgrade your Steam Deck's SSD on Windows for an optimal user experience. Whether it's for expanding storage capacity or seeking a performance boost, upgrading your Steam Deck's SSD is worth considering.

Let's explore how to perform this upgrade smoothly and efficiently, for optimal gaming performance.

• Step 1. Remove the Existing SSD
• Step 2. Clone the Steam Deck
• Step 3. Insert the New SSD into the Steam Deck
• Step 4. Power Off the Steam Deck

Phase 1: Remove the existing solid-state drive

For safety, it is recommended to discharge the Steam Deck's battery below 25% before continuing to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery damage.

Before making any changes, it's also recommended that you start the battery in storage mode. We'll also provide a video to guide you through the upgrade process:

00:26 - Upgrade to an SSD drive

00:42 - Materials needed

Let's begin that process.

Step 1: Unscrew the screws on the back cover and remove the back cover.

Step 2: Find and remove the hidden screw that secures the cover.

Step 3: Remove the battery to work safely.

Step 4: Loosen and remove the SSD to detach it from its bracket.

Step 5: Remove the SSD's cover to expose the original drive.

Many SSD users have already confirmed the effectiveness of this method. If you found the tutorial helpful, share it on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on!

Phase 2: Cloning the Steam Deck

At this point, you'll need to insert both your original SSD and the new SSD into your Windows PC. The aim here is to clone all game data from the old SSD and transfer it over to the new one.

However, keep in mind that if the new SSD is unused, you might encounter an "SSD not initialized" error. In this case, you'll need to initialize the new SSD before transferring data.

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Step 3: Install the new SSD in your Steam Deck

In this section, you'll focus on seamlessly integrating the new SSD into your Steam Deck to ensure it functions properly and performs comparably to the previous SSD. Here are the steps to follow:

First, secure the aluminum shielding foil that you removed from the old SSD onto the new one.

Step 2: Gently insert the new SSD into its designated slot and secure it in place with screws.

Step 3: Reconnect the battery. Gently insert the connector into the battery port with a cloth. When successfully connected, the power indicator will flash white briefly to confirm a good connection.

Step 4: Reinstall the shield. Push the shield back into place, lining up the holes with the screws underneath. Make sure the fan cable is on top of the shield.

Step 5. Carefully put the back panel back on the Steam Deck and secure it, then tighten the screws safely.

Step 4: Power off your Steam Deck

Now, it's time to put things back together. Carefully reattach the battery ribbon, seal the motherboard cover back up, and tighten the screw. Snap the Steam Deck case back into place, and reinsert and tighten all the screws.

Reassemble the Steam Deck, making sure everything is secure, and then power it on and confirm your expanded storage in the settings. That's it!

If your Steam Deck won't turn on, make sure the battery cable is securely seated. If your Steam Deck still won't turn on, carefully open it back up and verify that the SSD is seated firmly in its port.

How to Replace the SSD in Your Steam Deck

Upgrading the Steam Deck's SSD requires precise work and the right tools, but it's doable with care. Follow these quick steps:

Step 1: Power off the Steam Deck and disconnect it from power.

Step 2. Remove the back cover. There are eight screws on the back of the Steam Deck; use a screwdriver to loosen them.

Step 3: Remove the battery. Located beneath the battery, you'll find the battery connector. Gently pry it loose with your plastic spudger.

Step 4: Remove the existing SSD. Gently lift the SSD out of its slot on the motherboard.

Step 5. Install the new SSD. Slide the new SSD into place and secure it with screws.

Step 6: Reinstall the battery and connect the battery tray cable

Step 7: Replace the back cover and screw it back on securely.

Step 8. Power on the Steam Deck. Remember, it should boot up and run normally.

Restoring data after an update from the SSD

When performing an SSD update, the risk of data loss is a significant concern. Ensuring the safety of your data during this process is crucial. Should any files be accidentally lost during the update, a professional data recovery tool can prove invaluable.

A highly recommended data recovery solution is the Data Recovery Wizard Pro, a powerful and efficient tool designed to recover deleted files in cases of file system failure, crashes, or accidental deletion. The software boasts robust features that ensure a smooth data recovery process.

- It offers an intuitive interface and comes with several notable features, such as selective file recovery, preview options, and support for various file formats. - The Data Recovery Wizard tool, along with its powerful SSD recovery capabilities, can thoroughly scan and locate all lost data on your Steam Deck SSD. - Its WinPE bootable USB creation feature enables data recovery even when your computer fails to start up.

With this tool, you can effectively recover lost game data and restore your valuable information safely and efficiently.

Step 1: Scan the SSD

Launch tools Data Recovery Wizard, select the SSD where you lost data, and click "Scan" to proceed.

Step 2: Check the results

Once the scanning is over, check the 'Deleted Files' and 'Other Lost Files' folders and use the 'Filter' and 'Search' options to retrieve lost SSD data.

Step 3. Recover Files from SSD

Select the files you need and click on the “Recover” button to get back your lost SSD files.

Final Thoughts

With game file sizes and complexity only increasing, upgrading the Steam Deck's SSD feels like an investment in the future.

A high-capacity SSD allows you to accommodate evolving gaming needs without worrying about storage limitations. This future-proof measure ensures your Steam Deck remains relevant and efficient with upcoming game releases and updates.

• The gaming world becomes even more enticing with the knowledge of how to upgrade your Steam Deck SSD. This guide will enhance your device's performance and storage capacity.
• Embrace an enhanced gaming experience with the Steam Deck SSD upgrade.
• Quickly and effectively recover deleted PC game files using the Data Recovery Wizard Pro tool, unlocking its full potential.
• Protect your crucial files with this powerful data recovery tool and regain peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Upgrading the Steam Deck SSD

Now that you've learned how to upgrade the Steam Deck's SSD, here are some additional questions to help you deepen your understanding.

1. Can I upgrade the SSD on my Steam Deck?

Yes, upgrading the Steam Deck's SSD is a straightforward process. First, you remove the old SSD, clone all your data to the new one, and then reinsert it. However, if you have a small library of games and an unconstrained internet connection, reinstalling SteamOS might be more efficient. In this case, cloning your Steam Deck's SSD would prevent you from having to redownload games, reset configurations, and deal with the intricacies of the Linux-based SteamOS.

2. What size SSD can I upgrade to on the Steam Deck?

If you're handy with a screwdriver, the transition to a larger 2230 SSD shouldn't be too challenging. Valve doesn't recommend modding with a 2242 SSD, but there are plenty of 2230 drives available without requiring an upgrade.

3. Will there be a Steam Deck version with a 2TB SSD?

Yes, if you have a large collection of downloaded games and like to have multiple titles installed at once, a 2TB hard drive would be suitable. However, for content creators or those involved in streaming work, a 3TB or 4TB drive would be recommended. The ideal storage capacity for a gaming PC depends on an individual's specific needs and usage scenarios.

4. Can the Steam Deck use an SSD?

Yes, you can insert a microSD card or upgrade to a larger SSD on the Steam Deck to increase storage capacity. This is particularly appealing for the 64GB version, which uses slower eMMC storage.