There are many different versions of Linux.
Each different one gets updated differently.
Some better for gaming, some better for security.

Originally posted by Agenda 2025:

There are many different versions of Linux.
Each different one gets updated differently.
Some better for gaming, some better for security.

Is it also different in terms of viruses and everything? And in case of steamos it’s up to valve the system security?

There are not that many differences.

Valve patches SteamOS to improve its gaming capabilities, it may include fixes or tweaks to the kernel or mesa to improve performance or other aspects.

It also includes drivers and software specific to the Steam Deck (Maybe also other devices now) which have yet to be mainlined in Linux or are not shipped by other distros.

Its update system is also worthy of note, it does atomic updates, so you can always roll back to an older version.

Besides that, SteamOS is pretty much just a tweaked version of Arch Linux with capabilities identical to normal Arch.

Originally posted by Omega:

There are not that many differences.

Valve patches SteamOS to improve its gaming capabilities, it may include fixes or tweaks to the kernel or mesa to improve performance or other aspects.

It also includes drivers and software specific to the Steam Deck (Maybe also other devices now) which have yet to be mainlined in Linux or are not shipped by other distros.

Its update system is also worthy of note, it does atomic updates, so you can always roll back to an older version.

Besides that, SteamOS is pretty much just a tweaked version of Arch Linux with capabilities identical to normal Arch.

In terms of security system it’s also the same?

SteamOS is Linux. It's just another distro, but it's focused on providing a console-like interface for PC handhelds and HTPCs for your TV. You can install it on a desktop or laptop, but it's really not ideal for that use-case, and you're better off using a more desktop-oriented distro for that instead. All of the work Valve has done to make PC gaming work well on SteamOS also applies to any other version of Linux, so you won't be missing out on anything.

Originally posted by matan007:

Is it also different in terms of viruses and everything? And in case of steamos it’s up to valve the system security?

Running SteamOS or a different version of Linux has nothing to do with viruses or system security. Linux in general is less likely to get a virus simply due to the fact that most viruses are written for Windows and won't even run under Linux.

Originally posted by Haruspex:

SteamOS is Linux. It's just another distro, but it's focused on providing a console-like interface for PC handhelds and HTPCs for your TV. You can install it on a desktop or laptop, but it's really not ideal for that use-case, and you're better off using a more desktop-oriented distro for that instead. All of the work Valve has done to make PC gaming work well on SteamOS also applies to any other version of Linux, so you won't be missing out on anything.

Originally posted by matan007:

Is it also different in terms of viruses and everything? And in case of steamos it’s up to valve the system security?

Running SteamOS or a different version of Linux has nothing to do with viruses or system security. Linux in general is less likely to get a virus simply due to the fact that most viruses are written for Windows and won't even run under Linux.

I ask it because I installed on my legion go drives from amd official now for some reason I thought I had viruses I did reset and installed av Norton and it’s said I’m clear now a bit more then a week ago I installed steamos on my device during the process even if I had viruses have they been removed during the installation os steamos?

Originally posted by matan007:

for some reason I thought I had viruses

Why did you think that?

Originally posted by matan007:

I did reset and installed av Norton and it’s said I’m clear now

Don't use Norton. It's junk.

Originally posted by matan007:

a bit more then a week ago I installed steamos on my device during the process even if I had viruses have they been removed during the installation os steamos?

You would have had to completely wipe your system to install SteamOS, so even if you did have viruses on Windows, you definitely don't now. Also now that you're running SteamOS, the chances of you getting another virus are very low. They're not 0%, but they're low.

Originally posted by Haruspex:

Originally posted by matan007:

for some reason I thought I had viruses

Why did you think that?

Originally posted by matan007:

I did reset and installed av Norton and it’s said I’m clear now

Don't use Norton. It's junk.

Originally posted by matan007:

a bit more then a week ago I installed steamos on my device during the process even if I had viruses have they been removed during the installation os steamos?

You would have had to completely wipe your system to install SteamOS, so even if you did have viruses on Windows, you definitely don't now. Also now that you're running SteamOS, the chances of you getting another virus are very low. They're not 0%, but they're low.

The reason I thought I have it’s because I had no clue about it so because I installed steamos that means my device is good as new?

Originally posted by matan007:

so because I installed steamos that means my device is good as new?

Yes. If it's working well now, it's good as new.

Originally posted by Haruspex:

Originally posted by matan007:

so because I installed steamos that means my device is good as new?

Yes. If it's working well now, it's good as new.

Up until now working better then windows but how can I tell if a device as viruses I really don’t have clue about it thank you for your help I really appreciate it

SteamOS is Linux.

Originally posted by matan007:

Originally posted by Haruspex:

Yes. If it's working well now, it's good as new.

Up until now working better then windows but how can I tell if a device as viruses I really don’t have clue about it thank you for your help I really appreciate it

the os install program completely wipes the drive first

any virus would have been removed during that step

there are very few that can remain after a wipe

and fewer still that work on both windows and linux

if you really are still worried,

see if you can get clamav on it

not sure if it something that steamos can get

but it is an anti virus for linux

Originally posted by matan007:

how can I tell if a device as viruses I really don’t have clue about it

Just don't worry about it. Unless you regularly download random stuff from shady websites, there's no need to stress.

https://linuxexplain.com/why-linux-is-more-secure-than-other-operating-systems/

Originally posted by Haruspex:

Originally posted by matan007:

how can I tell if a device as viruses I really don’t have clue about it

Just don't worry about it. Unless you regularly download random stuff from shady websites, there's no need to stress.

SteamOS and it's slightly more advanced sibling Bazzite are both immutable file system, so things are protected from carelessly downloaded executables, as well as if the user copy and pastes commands off guides without knowing what they mean, as beginners and even intermediates are wont to do.

Just backup your home directory from time to time.

SteamOS is Linux, specifically a custom version of Arch currently made for the Deck and other specific handheld gaming consoles

There really aren't many differences between it and Arch, just doesn't have full hardware support yet