PC Game Pass Games Can Now Run on Steam Deck Without Windows

 

PC Game Pass games can now run locally on Steam Deck without installing Windows, thanks to Xodus Nexus, an unofficial open-source launcher designed to bring supported Microsoft Store games to Linux and SteamOS.

The project uses a modified Xodus backend alongside a Proton-based runtime, allowing users to download, install, and launch compatible PC games through their Microsoft accounts instead of relying on Xbox Cloud Gaming.

According to the official Xodus Nexus GitHub repository, the launcher supports games purchased through the Microsoft Store as well as titles available through an active PC Game Pass subscription.

Recent updates have introduced experimental Steam Deck support, including controller-based navigation and integration with Steam Gaming Mode. Users can also add the launcher or individual games to their Steam libraries as non-Steam shortcuts, complete with artwork.

The project's compatibility documentation lists several major games as playable on Linux, including Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day, Deep Rock Galactic, No Man's Sky, and Palworld.

However, compatibility varies between games, and successful Linux testing does not guarantee equivalent performance on Steam Deck hardware.

The developer has also clarified that Steam Deck support remains experimental, with much of the testing conducted through virtualized SteamOS rather than a physical handheld.

Older games built around Microsoft's UWP framework are not supported, while some newer titles may experience login errors, crashes, or unavailable online features.

Xodus Nexus is distributed as a Linux AppImage and requires a valid Microsoft account, along with an active subscription or ownership of the selected game.

The project is not officially affiliated with Microsoft or Valve, but it offers Steam Deck owners an additional way to access supported PC Game Pass titles without replacing SteamOS with Windows.