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File Management, learn how to manage your files like a wizard.

File Management Table of Contents

  1. Managing ROM Files

  2. Managing Emulators and Tools

  3. Managing Files

Managing ROM Files

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How to Manage ROMs with Multiple Discs

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Preface

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An M3U File is a "playlist" for ROMs with multiple discs. Like a music playlist, the first ROM is the "first track", the second is the "second track" and so on.

Emulators will typically treat the M3U file itself as the ROM and auto-play the playlist (each disc) as you progress through the game. This section will cover how to create those M3U files so you can handle those multi-disc games like an emulator aficionado.

Quick Tips
  • Compress your ROMs
    • Open the EmuDeck application on your desktop and run the Compression Tool to .chd. Compression will make managing your ROM folder and creating your M3Us infinitely easier
    • Re-run Steam ROM Manager after compressing your ROMs (this can be done after you have finished creating an M3U file)
  • After you have created an M3U file, use the various emulator quick-menus to seamlessly move onto the next disc
    • For a full list of hotkeys, see the Hotkeys page
Emulators without M3U Support

How to Create an M3U File

Quick and Dirty Guide

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  1. In your ROM folder, right click, click Create New Text File
  2. Name it GAMENAME.m3u
    • Replace GAMENAME with the game name
  3. Right click the text file, click Open with Kate or a text editor of your choice
  4. Place the full file name of each ROM disc including the file extension on a separate line
    • If your ROM file extensions are .cue and .bin, only write the .cue files in the M3U file
      • For Dreamcast, only write the .gdi files
  5. Save and close out of the text file
  6. From now on, you can treat the newly created M3U file as the game file

For how to use the M3U with Steam ROM Manager, see Steam ROM Manager: How to Manage ROMs with Multiple Discs

For how to use the M3U with EmulationStation-DE, see EmulationStation-DE: How to Manage ROMs with Multiple Discs

In-Depth Guide

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Here's How:

  1. In your ROM folder, right click, click Create New Text File
  2. Name it GAMENAME.m3u
    • The file name of the M3U file is up to you. However, it is recommended you match the M3U file as closely as possible to the game name so Steam ROM Manager and EmulationStation-DE can scrape the appropriate game art or game info
    • For example, with the game: The Legend of Dragoon, you may name the M3U file, The Legend of Dragoon.m3u so Steam ROM Manager or EmulationStation-DE can locate the appropriate art. However, if you name it LoD.m3u as an example, neither tool will know to match LoD to Legend of Dragoon
  3. Right click the text file, click Open with Kate or a text editor of your choice
  4. Place the full file name of each ROM disc including the file extension on a separate line
    • IMPORTANT: If you are using both .bin and .cue files, only write the .cue files in the M3U file. If you are using both .gdi and .bin files, only write the .gdi files in the M3U file
      • It is recommended you use the EmuDeck compression tool for easier file management
    • Example (Using D2 for the Dreamcast):
      • Folder:
      • M3U File:
  5. Save and close out of the text file
  6. From now on, you can treat the newly created M3U file as the game file, and play the respective ROM discs by running the newly created M3U file through one of EmuDeck's included front-ends: Steam shortcuts created by Steam ROM Manager, EmulationStation-DE, or by running the emulator directly
    • Steam ROM Manager:
    • EmulationStation-DE:
    • Alternatively, you can move all of your Multi-Disk games to a new folder
      • For example: psx-multidisk, and keep the .m3u files in the psx folder, changing the contents to point to the disks in their new location. This will prevent those disks from being read, as the parsers will not look in the new folders created
        • Note: Not all emulators support absolute pathing
Video: How to Create an M3U File

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How to Verify ROMs

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How to Verify a ROM Successfully Transferred

Sometimes, data loss or corruption can occur when you transfer ROMs to your Steam Deck. You can verify that the ROM successfully transferred by checking its MD5 Checksum. An MD5 Checksum is a 32-character hexadecimal number that is computed on a file. If the MD5 checksum on both the file on the Steam Deck and the original PC is an exact match, the file transferred successfully. If they do not match, the file is potentially corrupt. You will need to correct or adjust how you transfer files.

Here's How

On the Steam Deck

  1. Right click the ROM
  2. Click Properties
  3. Click the Checksums tab
  4. Click Calculate to the right of MD5
    1. Wait, it may take a few moments

On the non-Steam Deck PC

How to Verify a ROM is Valid

For one reason or another, your ROM may be corrupt and may not work properly. One way to confirm that you have a valid ROM is by comparing it to the ROM page on redump.org. Redump is an internet community "dedicated to collecting precise and accurate information about every video game ever released". You can validate your ROM by comparing its MD5 Checksum, a 32-character hexadecimal number that is computed on a file, to the MD5 Checksum on redump.org.

Here's How

How to Find your MD5 Checksum

Note: Vampire Night, for the Playstation 2 is being used as an example in the below guide.

  1. Right click the ROM
  2. Click Properties
  3. Click the Checksums tab
  4. Click Calculate to the right of MD5
    • Wait, it may take a few moments
    • Note down the MD5 Checksum for the next section

How to Compare your MD5 Checksum to Redump

  1. Open redump.org, and search for your ROM
  2. Note down the MD5 Checksum on the redump.org page and compare it to your ROM
    • Using Vampire Night as an example:
      • MD5 Checksum on the ROM:
      • Redump's MD5 Checksum:
  3. The Vampire Night ISO MD5 Checksum matches to the MD5 Checksum on the redump page, meaning the ROM is valid

Managing Emulators and Tools

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How to Swap out AppImages and Binaries

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Preface

Sometimes, when an emulator updates, there can be regressions for certain games or bugs that break the emulator temporarily. You can downgrade to a previous version by replacing the emulator in /home/deck/Applications.

Additionally for Yuzu, you can also use this feature to download the Early Access version of Yuzu.

For some emulators, your ROMs launch using a script created by EmuDeck, which look for the corresponding emulator, depending on how it is installed or downloaded. In the case of PCSX2 and Yuzu, the script looks for two things:

  • The most recently downloaded version in /home/deck/Applications, based on the file date.
  • The emulator name at the beginning of the file. Anything after the emulator name is ignored. pcsx2-Qt in the case of PCSX2 and Yuzu in the case of Yuzu. For example, if the latest version of Yuzu is 1351 and you would like to downgrade to 1349. When you download yuzu 1349, you could rename it to Yuzu-1349.AppImage, and EmuDeck's script will ignore the -1349 in the file name, allowing you to record which versions of Yuzu you are using through the file name.

List of Supported Emulators and Tools

How to Swap Out Emulators

  1. Download the version of the emulator you would like to use, from the list above to your /home/deck/Downloads folder
  2. Open the respective emulator folder location, using the list above: List of Supported Emulators and Tools
  3. Move the downloaded emulator from Step 1 to the folder in Step 2
  4. Rename or delete the original emulator file
    • Rename it so it can be distinguished from your downloaded file
      • A Few Examples:
        • Rename Yuzu.AppImage to Yauzu.AppImage
        • Rename Yuzu.AppImage to add a .bak to the end of the file extension, Yuzu.AppImage.bak
        • Rename Yuzu.AppImage to add the version number. For example, if the latest version is 1351, rename it to Yuzu-1351.AppImage
  5. Right click the newly downloaded emulator, click Properties, click Permissions, check Is executable
  6. Your games will now launch using the version of the emulator you downloaded

Watch the following GIF for a visual (Yuzu is being used as an example in this GIF):

How to Reset an Emulator's Configurations to EmuDeck's Defaults

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Sometimes after installing EmuDeck, you may notice an emulator's configurations were not set properly or you tweaked something on accident and you do not remember the default settings.

You may reset an emulator's configurations in the Manage Emulators page.

Tutorial

  1. Open EmuDeck on your desktop.
  2. Click the Manage Emulators button.
  3. Select which emulator configurations you would like to reset in the drop-down menu.
  4. Click Reset configuration, wait a moment.
    1. Using PCSX2 as an example:
  5. Your selected emulator has been reset.

Emulator Save and Save State Locations

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See Save Management: Emulator Save and Save State Locations.

Managing Files

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Preface

Symbolic links, or symlinks for short, are a powerful way to link files or directories. Symlinks are a kind of file that points to another file, similar to a shortcut on Windows. However, symlinks are much more versatile.

A few features of symlinks include: renaming the symlink, crossing partitions (between an SD card and an internal SSD for example), and creating multiple symlinks to the same file.

It is recommended you symlink your folders inside of the folders created by EmuDeck. For example, if you would like to symlink a PlayStation 2 ROM folder, symlink this folder inside of the Emulation/roms/ps2 folder instead of overwriting the ps2 folder.

Use Cases

Let's go over a few use cases specifically pertaining EmuDeck:

  • If you wanted to install EmuDeck on multiple storage devices, you could instead install EmuDeck to the internal SSD and symlink ROM folders from the various storage devices to the ROM folders within the Emulation folder on the internal SSD.
  • If you had a large texture pack folder or a large folder of any sort, you could place this folder on your removable storage device and symlink it to its expected location on the internal SSD.
  • If you wanted to symlink your NAS to your Emulation folder.

You can create a symlink a couple of ways. One method is to create a symlink through Dolphin (file manager). Keep in mind that within Dolphin (file manager), you can open tabs and view multiple folders at the same time.

When you have your original folder or file and the destination ready, drag the original folder or file to the destination and click Link here. A symlink is indicated with a small link icon and the file name in italics.

Photos
  1. Symlink Example Step 1
  2. Symlink Example Step 2
  3. Symlink Example Step 3
GIF

How to Transfer Files to a Steam Deck

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Preface

By default, Steam Deck formats your SD card in ext4 format, which is not readable on Windows without additional tinkering. Use one of the following methods to transfer files to your Steam Deck.

List of File Transfer Methods

Method 1: SSH

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Select one of the two tutorials below:

Although the below guide may look lengthy, SSH is a quick and easy process to set up. Once you have it set up, you can transfer files with ease in both Desktop Mode and Game Mode, no additional storage device needed.

Tutorial 1: Text

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Part 1 of 2: On the Steam Deck
  1. Open Konsole
  2. In Konsole, type passwd and follow the prompts to set a password for the account
    1. Your password will be invisible. Press enter when you've finished, you will be prompted to type it once again as confirmation
  3. In Konsole, type sudo systemctl enable --now sshd to both start and permanently enable the service
  4. In Konsole, type ip addr | grep inet | grep wlan0, jot down the ###.###.##.## number in front of inet
Part 2 of 2: On the Non-Steam Deck PC

Install Filezilla or WinSCP on your computer. No additional program is needed on the Steam Deck.

WinSCP is only available on Windows: https://winscp.net/eng/download.php

Filezilla is available on Linux, Mac, and Windows:

Select one of the two and follow the respective guide below.

Option 1: How to Use Filezilla
  1. Install FileZilla: https://filezilla-project.org/ on your non-Steam Deck PC
    • No additional program is needed on the Steam Deck
  2. Click the icon in the top left
  3. Click New Site, give it a memorable name
  4. Use the following template:
    • Protocol: SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
    • Host: steamdeck or the ###.###.##.## number you received in Step 4 in the On the Steam Deck section
    • Port: Either blank or 22
    • Logon Type: Normal
    • User: deck
    • Password: The password you set in Step 2 in the On the Steam Deck section
  5. Click Connect
  6. (Optional) To browse to your SD Card, click the .. at the top two times, select the run folder, media, mmcblk0p1
  7. Drag files between the two windows or use the context menu (Right Click) to transfer files
Option 2: How to Use WinSCP
  1. Install WINSCP: https://winscp.net/eng/index.php on your non-Steam Deck PC
    • No additional program is needed on the Steam Deck
  2. Open WinSCP and you should be prompted with WinSCP's address book
    • You can also re-open this interface by clicking New Session in the top left
  3. On the right side of the screen, use the following template:
    • File Protocol: SFTP
    • Host Name: steamdeck or the ###.###.##.## number you received in Step 4 in the On the Steam Deck section
    • Port number: 22 or blank
    • User name: deck
    • Password: The password you set in Step 2 in the On the Steam Deck section
  4. Click Save under the User name box and give the site name a memorable name
  5. Click Login
  6. (Optional) To browse to your SD Card, click the .. at the top two times, select the run folder, media, mmcblk0p1
  7. Drag files between the two windows or use the context menu (Right Click) to transfer files
Post File Transfer

After you are finished setting up SSH and you have transferred your files, you may want to consider disabling SSH.

With a weak sudo password, leaving SSH enabled may be a security risk if you take your Steam Deck outside of your home and connect it to public Wi-Fi. With a strong sudo password, this risk is less apparent. Regardless, this section will cover how to disable SSH.

Select one of the two and follow the respective section below.

Option 1: Terminal Command
  1. In Desktop Mode, enter the below command in Konsole to disable SSH
    • sudo systemctl disable --now sshd
  2. To re-enable SSH, enter the below command in Konsole
    • sudo systemctl enable --now sshd
Option 2: Decky Loader Plugin

Skip Steps 1-4 if you have already installed Decky Loader

  1. Open EmuDeck on your desktop
  2. Select Power Tools
  3. Enter your password, and click Install PowerTools
    • If you have not set a password, this page will prompt you to create one
  4. Restart your Steam Deck
  5. In Game Mode, press the ... button, press the Socket icon
  6. Click the store icon in the top right, install System Toolbox
  7. After installing System Toolbox: In Game Mode, press the QAM (...) button, press the socket icon (Decky Loader's icon), select System Toolbox and disable Remote Terminal Access
  8. When you would like to transfer files again, re-enable Remote Terminal Access

Tutorial 2: Video

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Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F790rBfyAQM

Method 2: DeckMTP

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Preface

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GcbEWl12Uc

For further reading: https://github.com/dafta/DeckMTP

DeckMTP is a Decky Loader plugin that allows the Steam Deck to be detected as a MTP drive (similar to a USB drive), once directly plugged into a PC via USB. (MacOS users may need the Android File Transfer App to be able to transfer files to MTP devices.)

How to Install DeckMTP
  1. Boot to desktop mode and open Konsole
  2. In Konsole, type passwd and follow the prompts to set a password for the account
    • Your password will be invisible. Press enter when you've finished, you will be prompted to type it once again as confirmation
  3. Install Decky Loader by choosing one of the two following ways:
  4. Restart the Steam Deck
  5. In Game Mode, press the QAM (...) button
  6. Press the Socket icon at the bottom of the list
  7. In the top right, press the Store icon
  8. Install DeckMTP
How to Set up DeckMTP

DeckMTP requires enabling DRD.

For a Youtube Video, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GcbEWl12Uc

  1. To enable DRD, shut down your Steam Deck
  2. Enter the BIOS by holding Volume Up and Power until you hear a beep
  3. Select Setup Utility
  4. Select Advanced
  5. Select USB Configuration
  6. Select USB Dual-Role Device
  7. Select DRD instead of the existing XHCI
  8. Plugging your Steam Deck into a PC via USB should now make it show up as a drive

Method 3: Removable Storage Device

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Use a flash drive or a removable storage device that can be read on both Windows and Linux. You may need either a USB C adapter or a USB C Hub.

Method 4: AnyDesk

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On the Steam Deck
  1. Install Anydesk from Discover (Shopping Bag icon) in desktop mode
  2. Install Flatseal from Discover (Shopping Bag icon) in desktop mode
  3. Open Flatseal
  4. On the left, select AnyDesk
  5. Under Filesystem, toggle All system files, filesystem=host
On the Non-Steam Deck PC
  1. Install AnyDesk on your other PC from the website: https://anydesk.com/
  2. Connect to your Steam Deck
  3. Use AnyDesk's file transfer feature to transfer files between your Steam Deck and non Steam Deck PC
How to use AnyDesk to Transfer Files
  1. Connect to your Steam Deck
  2. Click the box with a right arrow at the top
  3. Your non-Steam Deck PC will be on the left side of the screen, your Steam Deck will be on the right side of the screen, right click files on either side to Upload or Download to the respective devices
Tips
  • Your SD Card path is /run/media/.... To navigate to your SD Card, click the .. dots at the top until you are in the / directory. You will see the run folder, you can navigate to the remaining folders from here

Method 5: SMB Shares

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Pick a tutorial: