- Use old 3.5-inch floppy disks to launch digital games on the Steam Deck, combining nostalgia with modern technology.
- The open source plugin Decky Links reads URLs like `steam://run/` from external media via USB, NFC or QR codes.
- The games remain stored digitally, as a 1.44 MB floppy disk cannot hold anything beyond the boot link.
How Decky Links works
The complete digitization of PC games and the disappearance of physical media have deprived gamers of a sense of ownership. Reddit user u/BlackIceLA decided to bridge this gap, using forgotten 3.5-inch floppy disks and Decky Links . While previous solutions like Zaparoo required complicated smartphone apps and constantly running services in the background, here the logic is simpler.
The secret lies in custom Steam protocol links, like `steam://run/1174180` for Red Dead Redemption 2. Any physical media—whether it's a floppy disk, USB stick, or NFC tag—simply stores this unique URL. When you plug the USB disk into your Steam Deck and the plugin detects the link, the game automatically launches on your screen.
Because a classic floppy disk has a capacity of only 1.44 MB, it is absolutely impossible to store modern titles that are tens of gigabytes in size. The game files remain stored on the console's NVMe SSD or microSD card, while the floppy disk acts solely as a physical boot "key".
Why use floppy disks?
On a purely practical level, inserting a floppy disk to play offers no technological advantage over your traditional digital library. Rather, it adds an unnecessary mechanical step to an otherwise straightforward process. However, the value of this project is not measured in loading seconds.
The goal here is the tactile experience and nostalgia of the '90s. Printing custom covers, sticking them on the floppy disks, and placing them on the USB drive brings back the lost feeling of "putting the game on the console."
Additionally, because the URL is stored directly on the media itself and not in the memory of any specific device, you can theoretically take your floppy disk and use it on any other properly configured Deck. Think of it as a physical, tangible shortcut that you can give away or carry around with you.
How to set it up yourself
If you want to experiment with u/BlackIceLA's setup, you'll need a little patience and basic Linux configuration knowledge . Decky Links is not yet integrated into the official Decky Plugin Store, so installation is done manually.
You'll need an external USB floppy drive (old computers with built-in drives are now a museum piece) and some working 3.5-inch floppy disks. After downloading the tool from the GitHub repository, you'll need to write the corresponding Steam URLs to the floppy disks using Decky Links.
Keep in mind that, as this is an early open-source project, you may encounter bugs in SteamOS's recognition of USB devices. If your USB drives are not automatically read, you may need to manually tweak the Linux file system permissions.
Our opinion at TechNoid
We love retro patents that marry old hardware with modern features, but let's be honest: this idea is more of a cool tech flex than an everyday solution. No one will be swapping out floppy disks in 2026 to play on the subway. Still, it shows exactly why the Steam Deck community remains the industry's best. If you're up for a weekend of DIY hacking and want to give your digital games a physical body again, it's worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Steam Deck floppy disk launcher
Can I save an entire game to a floppy disk?
No, a classic 3.5-inch floppy disk holds only 1.44 MB, while modern titles exceed 50 GB. The floppy disk only contains the launch URL.
What equipment do I need to try it?
You need a Steam Deck, an external USB floppy disk drive, floppy disks, and the open-source plugin Decky Links.
Is Decky Links available in the official store?
Not yet, installation is currently done manually via GitHub and requires manual configuration.
Does it only work with floppy disks?
No, Decky Links also supports USB sticks, NFC tags and QR codes.
Can I use the disk on another Steam Deck?
Yes, as long as the second device also has the plugin installed and configured.
Needs connection to Internet to start the game?
Yes, Steam requires a login or offline mode depending on the title to verify the license.
Is there a risk of damaging the Steam Deck?
No, as it is simply reading data from an external USB device via a standard plugin.
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