Questions and answers

Is it free?

Yes. CouchPotatOS is open source and free to use. Games you buy on Steam are, of course, still paid for on Steam.

How is it different from SteamOS?

Both start straight into Steam’s controller interface, and Steam’s own system features (updates, sleep, desktop mode, factory reset) work the same way. CouchPotatOS is built for the PC under your TV rather than a handheld: it installs from a USB stick on ordinary PCs, supports NVIDIA cards, and works with the Xbox Wireless Adapter. Underneath, it’s openSUSE rather than Arch Linux.

Which games work?

The same ones that work on a Steam Deck. Steam runs Windows games through Proton, and Steam’s store shows how well each game runs. Games whose anti-cheat refuses Linux won’t run, on CouchPotatOS or any other Linux system.

Can I keep Windows?

Not on the same drive: CouchPotatOS uses the whole drive you install it on. If the PC has a second drive, Windows can stay on it untouched. Choose which one to start with the PC’s boot menu key.

Can I play games that aren’t on Steam?

Yes. In desktop mode, install a launcher like Heroic or Lutris from Flathub and add it to Steam as a non-Steam game.

Does it need the internet?

To install, yes: the installer downloads the system. After that, games you’ve installed play offline like they would on Steam anywhere. Updates and the Xbox adapter’s one-time firmware download need a connection.

Where does CouchPotatOS come from?

It’s built from public sources on the openSUSE Build Service, on top of openSUSE Tumbleweed and Kalpa. Every system image is signed there.

How do I remove it?

Install another operating system on the same drive. Its installer will replace CouchPotatOS.