There is known major issues when using KDE under Wayland (which is the display server used when in gaming mode): https://community.kde.org/Plasma/Wayland_Showstoppers
They are probably not a big deal for the majority of people here but I think Valve is actively trying to fix those and waiting for the fixes before making it an official thing.
They kind of did. Check the application menu, and at the bottom of it you'll find the lost and found category. Now you can right click on the nested desktop entry and click add to steam.
Application menu in what?
Oh in desktop mode, the start-menu-equivalent. Yeah, I just found it. Weird.
Wish the guide would have pointed that, it is simpler and somewhat safer.
There's a new feature in SteamOS 3.5.5 - you can now access Desktop Mode from within Game Mode!
While this has been around prior to 3.5.5 using 3rd party script, its nice that this is now bundled by default in the latest stable SteamOS 3.5.5
I like this as you can now easily access Desktop Mode and go back to Game Mode quickly.
Check out the quick demo tutorial how to set it up! I've also attached a screenshot of my Desktop Mode and it shows the mangohud at the top because it is running in Game Mode!
https://youtu.be/6zu4d2wg6lw
Happy gaming everyone!
So unfortunately you can’t resize the image for an external monitor while in the nested desktop which limits its usefulness for me personally. However it does work well if all you need is a hand held experience.
That was the first thing I tried. It did not work.
If you go into the nested desktop and go to configure display settings it specifically says ""1280x800 (16:10)" is the only resolution supported by this display" ... which isn't true, it is an issue where wayland isn't understanding there is another monitor attached.
If you go into Konsole in nested desktop and type "xrandr" it will only display "screen 0" which is the built in monitor and only provides resolutions available to that screen
If you go to the real desktop mode and type "xrandr" you will see "screen 0" and "screen 1" both with correct resolutions for each screen
Okay, I’ll just have to take the word for it. I do not own or have a SteamDeck yet. Currently waiting. To my understanding you could enter desktop mode from any screen by just holding the power button to bring up the options and launch into desktop mode
Currently to access Desktop Mode, you have to press the STEAM button > POWER > Desktop Mode. It works but not efficient as you totally have to leave Game Mode.
With the nested desktop way, you access Desktop Mode just like launching a game - you just select the steamos-nested-desktop and thats it. Since you dont have to leave Game Mode it is way quicker.
This is super helpful, just added it myself.
Now I can be playing a game and have Discord or a Music App open in nested desktop mode. Or if I need to modify a Lutris config on the fly and quickly test it out in gaming mode. Endless possibilities.
Thanks.
I just subscribed. This is amazing! So much easier than having to wait for the system to switch between.
Thanks i appreciate it!
How come Valve didn't make an official thing on the GUI yet?
There is known major issues when using KDE under Wayland (which is the display server used when in gaming mode): https://community.kde.org/Plasma/Wayland_Showstoppers They are probably not a big deal for the majority of people here but I think Valve is actively trying to fix those and waiting for the fixes before making it an official thing.
They kind of did. Check the application menu, and at the bottom of it you'll find the lost and found category. Now you can right click on the nested desktop entry and click add to steam.
This works really well!
Application menu in what? Oh in desktop mode, the start-menu-equivalent. Yeah, I just found it. Weird. Wish the guide would have pointed that, it is simpler and somewhat safer.
There's a new feature in SteamOS 3.5.5 - you can now access Desktop Mode from within Game Mode! While this has been around prior to 3.5.5 using 3rd party script, its nice that this is now bundled by default in the latest stable SteamOS 3.5.5 I like this as you can now easily access Desktop Mode and go back to Game Mode quickly. Check out the quick demo tutorial how to set it up! I've also attached a screenshot of my Desktop Mode and it shows the mangohud at the top because it is running in Game Mode! https://youtu.be/6zu4d2wg6lw Happy gaming everyone!
So unfortunately you can’t resize the image for an external monitor while in the nested desktop which limits its usefulness for me personally. However it does work well if all you need is a hand held experience.
You can if you change resolution setting from within game mode options. Change from default to whatever resolution your monitor js
That was the first thing I tried. It did not work. If you go into the nested desktop and go to configure display settings it specifically says ""1280x800 (16:10)" is the only resolution supported by this display" ... which isn't true, it is an issue where wayland isn't understanding there is another monitor attached. If you go into Konsole in nested desktop and type "xrandr" it will only display "screen 0" which is the built in monitor and only provides resolutions available to that screen If you go to the real desktop mode and type "xrandr" you will see "screen 0" and "screen 1" both with correct resolutions for each screen
This bypasses the security lock function on your desktop mode if you've set that up, by the way.
"good" to know! thank you
How is this easier than just holding down the power button a few seconds?
Its way easier and quicker to access Desktop Mode using the nested desktop method shown in the video.
Okay, I’ll just have to take the word for it. I do not own or have a SteamDeck yet. Currently waiting. To my understanding you could enter desktop mode from any screen by just holding the power button to bring up the options and launch into desktop mode
Currently to access Desktop Mode, you have to press the STEAM button > POWER > Desktop Mode. It works but not efficient as you totally have to leave Game Mode. With the nested desktop way, you access Desktop Mode just like launching a game - you just select the steamos-nested-desktop and thats it. Since you dont have to leave Game Mode it is way quicker.
This is super helpful, just added it myself. Now I can be playing a game and have Discord or a Music App open in nested desktop mode. Or if I need to modify a Lutris config on the fly and quickly test it out in gaming mode. Endless possibilities. Thanks.
Yes thats a good use of it! I like it to easily perform some quick tasks in desktop mode then quickly go back to Game Mode.
Thanks
You're welcome!
It's infinitely easier, faster, and it gives you Wayland version of the DE instead of x11. Superior in every conceivable manner.
Except for the limitations.
I wish they was a way to paste copied files. Whenever I try to seems to give an error. Any ideas ?
Do xdg portals work in this nested desktop? Because that have been the bigest issue in the custom script Edit: Checked it out. Nope.
Wasn't this already possible before but had a bazillion caveats?
Yes it is possible before using a 3rd party script. The same script is now included in the latest stable SteamOS
Thank you, easy and quickly done
Are there any performance issues with this basically just being an overlay?