steam-deck-tools.ayufan.dev

(Windows) Steam Deck Tools is a Windows software suite for the Steam Deck that bundles four utilities: Fan Control, Performance Overlay, Power Control, and Steam Controller. It is distributed as a README page at steam-deck-tools.ayufan.dev, with installers hosted on GitHub Releases. The project is provided on a best-effort basis and, in its own words, "can break your SteamDeck" — so it suits users who want finer control over a Windows-on-Deck setup and accept the stability and anti-cheat trade-offs described below.

What the suite includes

Install and dependencies

Download and install the latest SteamDeckTools--setup.exe from the project's GitHub Releases page.

If you use the portable archive instead of the installer, you must manually install these dependencies first:

• Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
• Rivatuner Statistics Server
• ViGEmBus

The README also strongly advises uninstalling or disabling SWICD, GlosSI, and HidHide before use, since they can conflict with this suite.

The kernel driver question — read this before playing online

This is the most important decision point in the documentation. The project can manipulate kernel memory via inpoutx64.dll, which may trigger antivirus and anti-cheat software. The README explicitly warns this "could result in interference or issues in games that use anti-cheat technology (including the possibility of a suspension or ban)."

By default, the application does not use kernel-level features; enabling a change that requires them prompts you to acknowledge the risk.

If you play online games, the README says to disable kernel features and treats these settings as safe:

• Fan Control: Use Default FAN
• Performance Overlay: OSD
• Kernel Drivers: DISABLED

Disabling kernel drivers costs you:

• Fan Control: the optimised SteamOS fan curve
• Performance Overlay: CPU % and MHz, GPU MHz, and APU W usage
• Power Control: the ability to change TDP and CPU settings

So the practical rule: online or anti-cheat games → kernel drivers off, accept reduced monitoring and no TDP control. Offline tuning and full fan-curve control → kernel drivers on, with the stated instability and detection risks.

Other things to know

• Controller shortcuts: default shortcuts exist when using Steam Controller; the README links to a dedicated page for them.
• Development: build instructions are documented separately for those who want to compile the project.
• Privacy: the software can connect to a remote server to check for auto-updates or track errors.
• Troubleshooting: a dedicated troubleshooting page covers common problems.
• Beta builds: the latest beta version is published in GitHub Releases.
• Support: help and chat are available in the #windows channel of the Steam Deck Discord.

Who should use it

Choose this suite if you run Windows on a Steam Deck and want fan curves, an FPS overlay, TDP/refresh-rate control, or Game Pass controller support in one package — and you are comfortable disabling kernel features for any game with anti-cheat. Skip it if you only play online titles and want zero risk of anti-cheat flags, or if you are not prepared for the possibility of an unstable system, which the project itself flags as a known risk.

Using Steam Deck Tools with anti-cheat games carries a real ban risk: the project can manipulate kernel memory through inpoutx64.dll, which anti-cheat and antivirus software may flag, and the README explicitly warns this "could result in interference or issues in games that use anti-cheat technology (including the possibility of a suspension or ban)." The risk only applies when kernel-level features are active — the application does not use them by default, and you must acknowledge a prompt before enabling a change that might trigger anti-cheat detection. If you play online games, disable kernel features and stick to the safe settings below.

Why the tool can trip anti-cheat

Steam Deck Tools provides Fan Control, Performance Overlay, Power Control, and Steam Controller support on Windows. Some of its deeper functions reach the hardware by directly manipulating kernel memory via inpoutx64.dll. Anti-cheat systems watch for exactly this kind of access, so the same mechanism that enables fan curves and TDP changes can look like tampering. The README also notes the software is provided on a best-effort basis and "can break your SteamDeck," and that it may connect to a remote server for update checks or error tracking.

What you give up by staying safe

The README defines the safe configuration for online play as:

• Fan Control: Use Default FAN
• Performance Overlay: OSD
• Kernel Drivers: DISABLED

With kernel drivers disabled, these features are unavailable:

You keep the basic overlay (FPS and other stats) and default fan behavior, but lose the tuning that makes the tool attractive for offline use.

Deciding whether to use it

• You play online games with anti-cheat: keep kernel drivers disabled and accept the reduced feature set. Do not enable kernel-level options while those games are running.
• You only play offline or single-player titles: kernel features are usable, but weigh the README's warning about system instability and the best-effort support.
• You use other controller tools: the README strongly advises uninstalling or disabling SWICD, GlosSI, and HidHide before installing, since conflicts add another failure path.

Before you install

The installer is SteamDeckTools--setup.exe from the latest GitHub Releases. A portable archive requires manually installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, Rivatuner Statistics Server, and ViGEmBus. For troubleshooting and beta builds, the README points to GitHub Releases and the #windows channel of the Steam Deck Discord.

Disabling kernel drivers in (Windows) Steam Deck Tools removes three capabilities: the optimized SteamOS fan curve in Fan Control, CPU/GPU frequency and APU wattage readouts in the Performance Overlay, and the ability to change TDP or CPU settings in Power Control. The tools still run, but those specific functions are unavailable. This trade-off is the project's own recommended configuration for playing online games with anti-cheat, since the default state of the applications does not use kernel-level features at all.

What the kernel drivers actually enable

The project's README describes kernel driver usage as the mechanism behind its deeper hardware controls. According to the documentation, disabling them means you lose:

Everything outside these items—such as the overlay's basic FPS display—remains available, because the README lists only the above as the features tied to kernel drivers.

Why you might disable them anyway

The README states that the software uses direct manipulation of kernel memory via inpoutx64.dll, which can trigger antivirus and anti-cheat software. It explicitly warns that this "could result in interference or issues in games that use anti-cheat technology (including the possibility of a suspension or ban)." The applications do not use kernel-level features by default; if you request a change that might trigger anti-cheat detection, the application requires you to acknowledge it.

For online play, the project recommends disabling kernel features and treats these settings as safe:

• Fan Control: Use Default FAN
• Performance Overlay: OSD
• Kernel Drivers: DISABLED

What you keep and what you give up

With the safe configuration, you retain fan control at the default curve, an on-screen FPS overlay, and the tools themselves running normally. You give up fine-grained fan tuning, detailed CPU/GPU telemetry, and TDP or refresh-rate adjustments through Power Control. If your main use is Game Pass streaming or single-player titles without anti-cheat, keeping kernel drivers enabled preserves the full feature set—but the README's risk section notes the project uses kernel manipulation and "might result in unstable system" behavior, so that choice carries its own trade-off.

Practical check before changing settings

Confirm which mode you are in by checking whether the overlay shows CPU % and MHz, GPU MHz, and APU W. If those fields are absent while FPS still displays, kernel drivers are disabled. To regain them, re-enable kernel features and acknowledge the anti-cheat prompt—then avoid online games with anti-cheat enabled, per the README's warning.

Download the latest SteamDeckTools--setup.exe from the project's GitHub Releases page and run it. The installer handles the required dependencies for you. Only if you use the portable archive do you need to manually install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, Rivatuner Statistics Server, and ViGEmBus first. Before installing, uninstall or disable SWICD, GlosSI, and HidHide, since the project advises against running them alongside it.

Before You Install

The toolset is provided on a best-effort basis and, per the project's own README, "can break your SteamDeck." It also uses kernel memory manipulation through inpoutx64.dll, which can trigger antivirus and anti-cheat software. Keep that in mind before proceeding, especially if you play online games.

Prepare the following:

• Installer path (recommended): the latest SteamDeckTools--setup.exe from GitHub Releases.
• Portable path: the archive plus manual installs of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, Rivatuner Statistics Server, and ViGEmBus.
• Conflicting software removed or disabled: SWICD, GlosSI, and HidHide.

Installation Steps

Option A: Use the Setup Executable

1. Open the project's GitHub Releases page and download the newest SteamDeckTools--setup.exe.
2. Run the executable on your Windows Steam Deck.
3. Follow the installer prompts. The setup is expected to bring in the dependencies the tools need.
4. Launch the individual applications you want (Fan Control, Performance Overlay, Power Control, Steam Controller) and confirm they start.

Expected result: the tools launch and can read system stats or apply settings. If an app fails to start or shows missing-component errors, a dependency is likely absent — install the three dependencies listed above and retry.

Option B: Use the Portable Archive

1. Download the portable archive from GitHub Releases and extract it.
2. Manually install each dependency:
   • Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
   • Rivatuner Statistics Server
   • ViGEmBus
3. Run the tools from the extracted folder.
4. Verify each application opens and functions.

Skipping any dependency can cause the tools to malfunction, since the README states they are required for proper operation.

Decide on Kernel Features Before Playing Online

By default the applications do not use kernel-level features. If you request a change that might trigger anti-cheat detection, the application asks you to acknowledge it. For online games, the README recommends disabling kernel features and treating these settings as safe:

Disabling kernel drivers costs you some functionality:

• Fan Control: the optimised SteamOS fan curve is unavailable.
• Performance Overlay: CPU % and MHz, GPU MHz, and APU wattage are no longer shown.
• Power Control: you lose the ability to change TDP and CPU settings.

The README also warns that kernel manipulation could result in interference with anti-cheat systems, including the possibility of a suspension or ban.

Common Stumbling Points

• Missing dependencies on portable installs. The setup executable is the simpler route; the portable archive requires all three dependencies installed by hand.
• Leftover controller software. SWICD, GlosSI, and HidHide should be uninstalled or disabled, or they may conflict with Steam Controller support.
• Antivirus or anti-cheat flags. Because of inpoutx64.dll, security software may react. Decide on kernel features deliberately before launching online games.
• Beta builds. The latest beta is also published on GitHub Releases; use it only if you need newer fixes and accept the added risk.

For help or discussion, the project points to the #windows channel of the Steam Deck Discord.

Steam Deck Tools for Windows bundles four applications: Fan Control, Performance Overlay, Power Control, and Steam Controller. Each addresses a different part of running Windows on a Steam Deck — cooling, on-screen stats, power/display tuning, and controller input. The catch is that some features depend on kernel-level drivers, which the project itself flags as a risk for online games with anti-cheat.

The four applications at a glance

Fan Control

Controls the fan while running Windows. With kernel drivers enabled you get the optimized SteamOS-style fan curve; with them disabled, the app falls back to the default fan behavior. If you play online games, the project recommends the "Use Default FAN" setting as the safe option.

Performance Overlay

An on-screen display for FPS and other statistics. The full version — CPU % and MHz, GPU MHz, and APU wattage — requires kernel drivers. With drivers disabled you still get an OSD, but those detailed CPU/GPU/APU readings are missing.

Power Control

Used to change TDP or refresh rate. This is the application most affected by the kernel-driver trade-off: without kernel drivers, you lose the ability to change TDP and CPU settings. If TDP tuning is your main reason for installing the tools, you'll need kernel features enabled — and should weigh that against the anti-cheat warning below.

Steam Controller

Lets you use the Steam Deck's controls with Game Pass. The README also points to a separate page documenting default controller shortcuts.

The kernel-driver trade-off you should decide on first

The project states that by default the application does not use any kernel-level features, and that requesting a change which might trigger anti-cheat detection requires you to acknowledge it. Kernel manipulation happens via inpoutx64.dll, which the README says can trigger antivirus and anti-cheat software — with the possibility of interference, suspension, or a ban in games that use anti-cheat.

The project's own "safe settings" for online play are:

• Fan Control: Use Default FAN
• Performance Overlay: OSD
• Kernel Drivers: DISABLED

So the practical decision is: if you play online or anti-cheat-protected games, plan to run with kernel drivers off and accept the reduced Fan Control curve and missing CPU/GPU/APU stats. If you only play offline and want full TDP control and detailed overlay data, kernel features are what unlock them.

Installation and dependencies

Install by downloading and running the latest SteamDeckTools--setup.exe from the project's GitHub Releases. The tools require these dependencies, which must be installed manually if you use the portable archive instead of the installer:

• Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
• Rivatuner Statistics Server
• ViGEmBus

The README also strongly advises uninstalling or disabling SWICD, GlosSI, and HidHide before use, since they can conflict with the tools.

Other things worth knowing before installing

• Stability risk: the project says it is provided on a best-effort basis and "can break your SteamDeck," and that kernel manipulation "might result in unstable system."
• Privacy: the software can connect to a remote server to check for auto-updates or track errors.
• Beta builds: the latest beta version is published in GitHub Releases.
• Support: help and chat are available in the #windows channel of the Steam Deck Discord.

If your goal is simply FPS monitoring and controller support for Game Pass, the overlay and Steam Controller apps cover that without kernel drivers. If you specifically want TDP and refresh-rate control or the optimized fan curve, treat kernel drivers as a deliberate opt-in with the anti-cheat caveat in mind.