Games

How To Install The GOG Galaxy Launcher On The Steam Deck

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3 weeks ago

December 5, 2024

Christoph Rediske

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How To Install GOG Galaxy On The Steam Deck

How To Fix Decky Loader After The Steam Deck Update

GOG, also known as Good Old Games, is a video game platform similar to the Steam Store and has an extensive library of classic games. Unsurprisingly, it isn’t natively available on the Steam Deck, but with Decky Loader, you can run the GOG Galaxy launcher in the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode and install your favorite GOG titles.

The Decky Loader program has a Testing store that allows users to install the NonSteamLauncher and run unofficial gaming platforms like GOG. Here’s how to install the Decky Loader and run GOG Galaxy games on the Steam Deck.

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Updated December 5, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: NonSteamLaunchers is one of the most powerful tools available for users who want to use other gaming services on their Steam Deck. Unfortunately, the NonSteamLaunchers plugin was removed from the Decky Loader store. So, until developers can resolve this issue, this guide has been updated to detail the steps that need to be followed to install the plugin via Desktop Mode.

How To Install The Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

The Decky Loader program allows users to customize the functionality of the Steam Deck. This includes installing the NonSteamLaunchers app to run gaming stores like GOG and install your favorite classic and modern titles. The following steps can be used to install Decky Loader and its Testing store:

Press the Steam button and access the System menu.
Enable Developer Mode and switch on CEF Debugging.
Restart the Steam Deck.
With the Steam Deck on, press the Steam button.
Highlight Power and switch to Desktop Mode.
Open the Discover Store and install Google Chrome.

Google Chrome is required to run the NonSteamLaunchers through the Decky Loader.

With a browser in Desktop Mode, navigate to the GitHub page and download Decky Loader.
Double-click the Decky Loader icon in the Downloads folder, choose the Recommended Install, and run the installer.
After the installation, open the GOG website with Google Chrome and sign in with your details.
Switch back to Gaming Mode.

How To Access The Testing Store

Press the QAM button (the three-dotted button underneath the right trackpad).
Open the new Decky Loader plugin icon.
Tap on the Settings cogwheel in Decky Loader.

Steam Deck - Switch Store Channel to Testing on Decky Loader

Change the Store Channel to Testing in the General Menu.
Close the Setting screen and reopen the Decky Loader to access the Store icon next to the Settings cogwheel.

Steam Deck - NonSteamLauncher on Decky Loader

Scroll down the Testing Store page and Install the NonSteamLauncer.

How To Fix Missing NonSteamLaunchers From Decky Store

There may be a dispute preventing the NonSteamLauncher from appearing on the Decky Store. Unfortunately, this means that it’s no longer installable from the Decky Loader. In the meantime, and if the above steps don’t work, use the following steps to fix NonSteamLauncher via desktop:

Only use these steps after installing Decky Loader
.

Press the Steam button.
Open the Power menu and Switch to Desktop Mode.
In Desktop Mode, open a browser and navigate to NonSteamLaunchers Github page.
UnderAssets, download NSLplugin.desktop.
Double-click the installer and select Execute.
Enter your pseudo password or create one using a memorable password.
Select update to latest release and click OK.
After the installation has finished, switch back to Gaming Mode.

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How To Install GOG Galaxy On The Steam Deck

With NonSteamLaunchers installed via Decky Loader, you can now install and run the GOG launcher and install your purchased games. The following steps can be used to add GOG to the Steam Deck’s library:

Press the QAM button to access the Decky Loader menu.
Open the new NonSteamLaunchers plugin.
Toggle on Auto Scan Games.
Open the Game Launchers tab.

Steam Deck switching on separate gaming folders

Enable Separate Launcher Folders and click Install.
After the installation, press the Steam button and open the Library.
Open the Non-Steam library tab with the R1 button.
Locate the GOG Store window and tap Play to launch it (it may require two attempts).
Sign in with your login details.

There is a bug preventing some GOG users from signing in with the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode. Signing in to GOG using Google Chrome in Desktop Mode should resolve the issue. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your password using the “Forgot My Password” prompt.

Click on your Owned Games section on the left side menu and install them.
The Installed GOG games will be added to the Non-Steam library. However, it’s better to launch the games after opening GOG Galaxy.
Open your Installed Games menu and select your game.
Click the Play icon.

Playing The Witcher 2 with GOG on the Steam Deck

When the Play icon turns gray, click the X in the top right corner to close the window and access the game’s launch screen.
After the game has launched, access the game’s settings menu to ensure you have switched from the keyboard to the gamepad/controller set up to play with the Steam Deck.

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How To Fix Decky Loader After The Steam Deck Update

Some of the most important updates for the Steam Deck may interfere with third-party programs like Decky Loader. Here are the steps that must be followed to restore your Decky Loader program, its settings, and your plugins (this will also work for any future issues that may arise from updates):

Press the Steam button.
Open the Power menu.
Click on Switch to Desktop Mode.
Open a browser and navigate to the Decky Loader GitHub page.
Double-click the Decky Loader installer after the download has finished.
Ensure you click on “Excute” and not “Open.”
The installer will launch and prompt you to enter a pseudo password. If you haven’t set up a pseudo password yet, you can create one now, and you should make it memorable or write it down and keep it in a safe place.

Choose a memorable pseudo password, as changing it requires resetting the Steam Deck to factory settings.

After the installation, power off the Steam Deck.
Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode, and your Decky Loader program will be restored with its settings and plugins intact.