Yeah I agree overall with this take. Microsoft has pretty massively shot themselves in the foot with Windows 11 starting with such strict requirements to make the upgrade to the OS, to breaking updates/bugs even several years in, to so many apps just not even being able to work properly to the abandonment of legacy systems with no proper replacements or alternatives. It's amazing in 2025, Microsoft still follows up a decent version of their OS with a terrible one. 

I honestly wouldn't mind making the switch to SteamOS. My home PC is 90% for gaming and emulation anyway, which overall is really good on my Steam Deck. Biggest thing is ensuring games run smoothly, which there's just a handful that I currently have issues with. Other than that, 10% is for work but mainly is just using remote software that is already supported on Linux, and if I need to use Office, my job uses O365 that I can just access on a web browser lol.

I personally look forward to Microsoft getting sweaty about the potential of Windows losing mass market share. It's been a long time coming.

The biggest threat to Steam is Windows. This is the actual reality.

I agree - mostly. I don't think inertia is a huge issue (outside work!), but it's definitely a factor. And for work, inertia is definitely a huge thing.

...What? Microsoft seems incapable of threatening Steam in any way that wouldn't cause monopoly accusations - and probably consequences as well. The main threat to Steam is Gaben's eventual retirement, which could really shake things up and have unforeseen consequences.

Windows for Gaming PCs and Microsoft Gaming? Yeah, probably.
A threat to Windows as a whole? Not so much. Windows isn't too massive to be surpassed, almost nothing is too big to be surpassed. But the odds are low of surpassing it. Even MacOS is about 58% less in the market share.

With their recent talks on Windows 11 "refresh", I am not the least bit interested in 11 going forward, as their article has no mention of gaming, but they sure do mention a ton about AI and co-pilot being injected into every day life tasks for their OS, and I am just not up for wanting a home version of big brother breathing down my neck 24/7 (not to mention bloating my memory/process usage).

Every other task I do on a daily basis can already be done by Linux in general, which includes gaming. The only one issue I have is Sony Vegas Pro support (I've not looked into Linux support with video editors yet, but I will have to as the time comes closer to switching OS's), but outside of that, I am more than ready to eventually switch to Steam OS when the time comes closer to their official release.

MS has had decades to get their cards right and so far they've been doing nothing but chasing trends, allowing security loopholes to occur, bloating their OS more and more and stuffing in gimmicks that don't really do much of anything for the core user (us, not the normies). Also I am not a fan of UI over simplification and option restrictions, which they have been doing frequently with Windows 10 and more so with 11 (Windows XP and 7 will forever remain my fave two OS's).

I want Steam OS to take off and do well for gaming first, then regular tasks later, because gaming is primarily what I use my OS for in the first place, and so far Steam OS is proving for a good pivot in that direction on the Steam Deck. I'm very certain Valve won't give up half way with what they have been doing so far, so I'm sure we can expect a full Steam OS that will challenge Windows primarily in the gaming dept (not the business/normie dept, which I feel half this site thinks it is aiming for, it is not I can assure you). 

I dont really know the OP well, if at all.. But this thread from the OP, i dont know it just seems like a bit of of a "I wish Steam os beats windows, and steam launches a steam machine2 so no one will want xbox" type of Sony fans thread?. When in reality none of them things are going to happen?.
If anything with the rumors Xbox next is going to be the next Steambox that people wanted only running Windows. I mean its even meant to allow you to install steam and other stores.

Microsoft has been accused of having a monopoly for decades, because they've had a monopoly for decades.  It doesn't stop them at all.  They still do whatever they want.  Do you remember Netscape?  I do.

Well, Microsoft did get consequences for how they handled browsers... And clearly something seems to be stopping Microsoft from acting against Steam, because they haven't done so and have in fact continued releasing their own games on Steam with no end in sight.

"PS5 Pro for a premium optimised console experience"

LOL, no.

People will buy PCs with Windows, not with Steam OS, cause PCs are flexible to do everything you need, not only to play. And people do more things in PCs than just playing games (but now, they easily can use them as consoles, if they want).

And a steamdeck (and similar devices) maybe do not need a Windows, true, but they are not PCs, are portable consoles using PC hardware... to play PC games in portable mode. Seems the same? it is not. You can't seriously do anything else there, so... no need to use Windows if Steam OS has some good layers to run well Windows games and reduces the requirements or the tasks in the background when you play.

It's a product for a very specific type of machines (It's basically a "dedicated Linux distro", as they have existed for many many years). Do not expect people changing Windows for a Linux in its daily PC. They won't. And I used to be a Linux user many years (always next to a partition for Windows, because you eventually will need Windows for some program or whatever.

You either did not read my post, or did not understand it.

It's a predidiction thread, something I think will happen in the future. 

Also as someone with kids, trust me plenty of PC's are being bought with ONLY gaming in mind.

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But why do you not think PS5 Pro is not a premium optimised console experience?  I don't think any sane person would disagree with that.