A Comprehensive Guide to Installing Proton GE on Your Steam Deck

Proton GE, an enhanced variant of Valve’s Proton, comes loaded with a myriad of gaming fixes that significantly improve compatibility and performance for various titles. This article serves as a step-by-step guide to installing Proton GE on your Steam Deck using user-friendly tools including ProtonUp and ProtonPlus.

Installing Proton GE on Steam Deck with ProtonUp

Step 1: Enter Desktop Mode

To kick off the installation process, you must first switch your Steam Deck to Desktop Mode. To do this, navigate to the "Power" option in the Steam interface and select "Switch to Desktop." This action will load the KDE Plasma desktop environment.

Step 2: Launch Konsole

Once in Desktop Mode, find and launch the “Konsole” application. This terminal-based tool will allow you to execute commands necessary for installing Proton software.

Step 3: Install ProtonUp

In the Konsole, input the following command to install ProtonUp:

flatpak install flathub net.davidotek.pupgui2

After installation, find ProtonUp in your applications menu and launch it. The interface will display a small window indicating where compatibility tools will be installed on your Steam Deck.

Step 4: Add Proton GE Version

Click on the "Add version" button. A new window will pop up—select "GE-Proton" as your compatibility tool and choose the latest version available. Finally, hit the “Install” button to begin downloading Proton GE into the designated folder on your Steam Deck.

How to Uninstall Proton GE with ProtonUp

If you ever need to remove Proton GE, simply open ProtonUp, select the version you want to uninstall, and click the "Remove Selected" button. It’s that simple!

Installing Proton GE on Steam Deck with ProtonPlus

Step 1: Switch to Desktop Mode

Similar to the previous method, you will need to start by switching your Steam Deck to Desktop Mode. Click “Power” and select “Switch to Desktop.”

Step 2: Open Konsole

Once you’re on the Desktop, launch the “Konsole” application again. This interface is necessary for executing installation commands for ProtonPlus.

Step 3: Install ProtonPlus

In the Konsole app, run the following command to install ProtonPlus:

flatpak install flathub com.vysp3r.ProtonPlus

Once installed, open ProtonPlus. The application will automatically identify your Steam installation.

Step 4: Download Proton GE

Navigate to the “Runners” section in ProtonPlus. Click on the drop-down menu next to “Proton-GE” and select the latest version to initiate the download. Be patient, as this may take a few minutes.

How to Uninstall Proton GE with ProtonPlus

To uninstall Proton GE using ProtonPlus, open the app, find “Proton-GE” in the drop-down menu, choose the version you want to remove, and click the trash can icon to delete it easily.

Enabling Proton GE on Your Steam Deck

Enabling Proton GE for your games is straightforward and should be done on a per-game basis. Exit Desktop Mode and navigate back to Game Mode. Access your library and select the game you wish to modify. Click the gear icon to enter the game’s settings, then go to the compatibility section. Here, select the version of Proton GE you installed earlier, exit the settings menu, and hit the “Play” button to start gaming with enhanced compatibility.

By following these straightforward steps, you’ll enhance your gaming experience on the Steam Deck with Proton GE, ensuring better performance and compatibility for your favorite titles.