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Installing Bazzite for Desktop/Laptop Hardware

Pre-Installation¶

Pre-requisites and steps before installing Bazzite.

Minimum System Requirements¶

Architecture: x86_64
Firmware: UEFI (CSM Support should be disabled if available)
Processor (CPU) : 2GHz quad core processor or better
System Memory (RAM): 4GB
Graphics: A graphics card that can utilize Vulkan 1.3+
Storage: 64GB free on an internal solid-state drive
Network: Stable internet connection with no bandwidth caps
Additional Notes: Certain drivers are not compatible with Bazzite
- For example: a list of compatible USB Wi-Fi adapters

Installer Requirements¶

A USB flash drive with 10GB free space
- Note: All data on this drive will be wiped when flashed
Software to flash the image:
- Fedora Media Writer, Ventoy, or Rufus
  - Make sure to properly eject the drive after flashing the ISO to it
Physical keyboard

Desktop Environments¶

Bazzite comes with the choice of KDE Plasma or GNOME for the desktop environment.

Steam Gaming Mode is an option and if you opt to use it, then this installation guide no longer applies and it is recommended to read the HTPC installation guide instead.

More information can be found on our FAQ about the differences between the image variants.

KDE Plasma (Default)¶

KDE Plasma's default interface has a traditional and familiar layout
Highly customizable with tons of settings
Qt framework
Popular Linux distributions like SteamOS use KDE Plasma

GNOME (`-gnome` images)¶

GNOME's default interface has an elegant and touch-friendly layout
Simple and concise
GTK framework
Popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu use GNOME

Steam Gaming Mode (`-deck` images)¶

Important

Your device will automatically boot into the Steam Gaming Mode session at startup, and Desktop Mode can be accessed from the "power menu" in Steam Gaming Mode.

Requires a Steam account
Included in the Handheld/HTPC images
Interface is designed for handheld and couch gaming
Controller friendly
Choice of KDE Plasma or GNOME in Desktop Mode
Extra functionality with Decky plugins

Dual Boot Preliminary Setup + Post-Setup Guide¶

Read the Dual Boot Guide after reading this guide before proceeding.

Installation Guide¶

The part of the guide that requires the most effort.

1. Download and Flash Bazzite¶

Download Bazzite after choosing the correct ISO for your hardware with our Image Picker tool.
Flash Bazzite to your bootable medium.
Eject drive.

Current Fedora Atomic Desktop Users¶

Current Fedora Atomic Desktop users can rebase with the terminal command listed on the website under the "Existing Fedora Atomic Desktop Users" section and can skip the next step.

2. Boot Bazzite¶

Connect your bootable medium to your device and boot into it.
After connecting the device, boot into the Bazzite installer.
This depends on your motherboard hardware, but most of the time it could be a function keys like F9 or similar.
- Sometimes you need to consult the manual, look up your device online, or read any hotkeys that appear when you boot your PC.
  - Alternatively change the BIOS settings to boot with your bootable device first before your current storage, but this is not recommended to keep enabled after installing Bazzite.
Verify the media correctly and proceed to the installer.

3. Installer¶

Select your language, region, keyboard layout, and time zone.
Select the drive that Bazzite is going to be installed on.
- Delete any partitions that you have remaining on the drive unless dual booting on the same drive.
- Recommended to use the automatic storage configuration unless dual booting on the same drive.
Optionally encrypt the drive with a password if desired.
- If you lose this password, then it cannot be decrypted.
Setup a user account.
- Give administrative privileges and set a user password.
Begin the installation.
Reboot device after it has finished installing.

Important information for users with Secure Boot enabled:¶

Read the Secure Boot Guide for more information.

Post-Installation¶

The fine tuning before gaming.

The first boot will show a screen showing your current and last deployment. It will automatically boot if nothing. It is important to note that the GRUB menu can be used to rollback Bazzite deployments if you encounter issues.

Read more about this in the Updates, Rollback, and Rebasing documentation.

Configuring System Settings for KDE Plasma and GNOME¶

KDE Plasma's System Settings application

GNOME's Settings application

It is important to configure the system settings on a first boot to personalize your desktop especially if you notice the scaling is incorrect on first-boot.

First Boot Setup Utility: Bazzite Portal¶

Attention

Make sure you are connected to the internet.

An application will pop up welcoming you to Bazzite when you boot into the desktop for the first time. This is a utility that allows you to tailor Bazzite to your liking by installing additional software.

Click "Next" to begin configuring Bazzite.
Press the toggle switch button next to the item to have the option enabled or disabled for your installation, some are already toggled on by default.
If you would like to customize any of the options, then press the arrow next to the toggle switch button if available.
Installing items from the portal may take a long time.

Note

If you only check a few items in a category, then it will only install those selected items. The switch is only toggled to install everything in that category.

Attention

There is a rare chance you will be asked to setup KDE Wallet or GNOME Keyring and set a password to continue installing items from the Bazzite Portal.

Installing additional software¶

The Installing and Managing Applications documentation is useful to learn how to install additional software on Bazzite outside of the Bazzite Portal.

Ready to Game¶

You have now installed Bazzite!

View our Gaming Guide for a quick rundown of Linux gaming, useful resources, and setting up Proton on Steam.

Check out the additional documentation surrounding the project.

Video Tutorial - Dual Boot Setup w/ Secure Boot Enabled:¶

Issues Installing Bazzite?¶

View the Installation Troubleshoot Guide.

← View all Bazzite documentation