How to Install Zenless Zone Zero in Steam Deck (With Pictures)

Here is a guide on how to install Zenless Zone Zero on a Steam Deck using SteamOS gaming mode –

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Step 1: Enter the Desktop Mode

• From the Steam Deck’s gaming mode, enter Desktop mode.\

Step 2: Download the Hoyo Launcher

• Open your web browser.
• Search for “Zenless Zone Zero” using the Steam keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons together.
• Open the official website.
• Download the Windows installer for the Hoyo Launcher.

Step 3: Add the Installer to Steam

• Navigate to your Downloads folder.
• Right-click on the Zenless Zone Zero installer and choose the option to “Add to Steam.”

Step 4: Adjust Steam Library Settings

• Right-click on the Steam icon in the bottom right of your taskbar and access your Steam library.
• Find the Zenless Zone Zero installer in Steam, and add it to your favorites for easy access.
• Click on “Settings,” go to “Properties,” and under “Compatibility,” assign “Proton Experimental.”

Step 5: Launch and Prepare the Installer

• Launch the installer.
• If your mouse isn’t working, hold the Steam button to activate the trackpad.
• Do not install it yet. Immediately minimize the launcher and Steam.

Step 6: Locate the Newly Created Folder

• Go to your home folder and make sure “Show Hidden Files” is selected.
• Navigate to ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/.
• Set your view to “Details.”
• Sort the listed items by modified date to find the most recently created folder.
• Enter the identified folder, navigate to pfx/drive_c/, and access Program Files.
• Return to the installer and proceed with a quick installation.
• Install the Visual C++ when prompted.

Step 7: Modify Launcher Settings

• After installation, do not launch the game. Close the launcher.
• Navigate back to the Program Files folder. You’ll find a HoyoLab folder with launcher.exe.
• Do not add launcher.exe directly to Steam, as the game will not install properly.
• Instead, right-click on launcher.exe and select “Copy file location.”

Step 8: Update Steam Shortcut

• Return to Steam and navigate to the properties of your Zenless Zone Zero installer shortcut.
• Update the “Target” field with the copied path of launcher.exe, ensuring it’s placed strictly between the quotation marks.
• Update the “Start In” field with the copied path, excluding the launcher.exe at the end.
• Change the name of the shortcut to “Zenless Zone Zero.”

Step 9: Launch the Hoyo Launcher

• Back in Desktop mode, start the Zenless Zone Zero launcher.
• The path should display the C: drive, which is correct.
• Use the mouse or trackpad to press “Download.”

Step 10: Download the Game

• Wait for the download to complete, which may be large (around 110 GB at the time of the video).

Step 11: Return to Gaming Mode

• Once the game is downloaded, give it a test run in Desktop mode.
• Then, switch back to the Steam Deck’s Gaming mode.

Step 12: Launch Zenless Zone Zero

• Zenless Zone Zero should now show up in your Steam library in Gaming mode.
• Launch the game, and at the launcher screen, press “Start.”

Step 13: Log In

• Use the Steam keyboard (Steam + X) to type your HoyoVerse account details.
• If you encounter login difficulties, try using Google Chrome from the Discover store in Desktop mode.

Adjust the in-game graphic settings as necessary to optimize performance on the Steam Deck. Share any effective settings combinations you find in the comments.

Important Considerations

• Be mindful that bans could occur, albeit rarely, or changes could be made to anti-cheat that affect running the game on Linux in the future.

If you found this guide to install Zenless Zone Zero useful, don’t forget to check my guide on setting up Wuthering Waves on your Steam Deck.