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Elgato Stream Deck — How to Add and Remove a Virtual Device (Virtual Stream Deck)

Introducing Virtual Stream Deck - Do virtually anything.

Virtual Stream Deck (VSD) brings the Stream Deck experience onto your screen, always in reach while you work or play. Streamline tasks and control apps and hardware using your mouse or even a touchscreen. 

Create unlimited virtual keys, customize actions and shapes, then pin them in place or summon to your cursor. It’s your OS sidekick, making every workflow fast and effortless.

 

 


Add Virtual Device


 

Getting started with Virtual Stream Deck is easy:

1) Install Stream Deck 7.0.0 - Virtual Stream Deck is only available in 7.0.0 or later.

2) Connect a compatible device, such as any Stream Deck hardware, Corsair SCIMITAR ELITE WIRELESS SE mouse, or Corsair XENEON EDGE touchscreen.  Other Corsair devices are not compatible at this time.

 

You can also unlock Virtual Stream Deck when using:

  • Stream Deck 7.0.0 Public Beta 2 (21926) or above
  • Stream Deck Mobile Pro version 2.4.0 or above for iOS
  • Stream Deck Mobile Pro version 2.1.0 for Android OS.

This option exists as of July 15, 2025.

 

Virtual Stream Deck offers flexibility, but it does require occasional verification with a supported physical device.

Initial Setup

To activate Virtual Stream Deck, you must connect a compatible Elgato device (such as a Stream Deck or Stream Deck Pedal) during the initial setup.

Ongoing Use

Once activated, you can disconnect the device if you prefer. Virtual Stream Deck will continue to function for up to 30 days without any device connected.

Important:

A supported device must have been connected at least once within the past 30 days to keep Virtual Stream Deck active.

What This Means for You

  • You don’t need to keep a device plugged in all the time.
  • Just reconnect a supported device at least once every 30 days to maintain access.

 

3) In the device dropdown, select Add Virtual Device…

 

Stream Deck Preferences - Add Virtual Device

 

4) You will first see a 6 key Virtual Stream Deck on your display.

 

Virtual Stream Deck - 6 Keys

 

5) Then, you can edit your Virtual Stream Deck, using a special settings window.  To open this window, press the icon that has two horizontal lines with a circle on each line.  The icon looks like this:

 

Stream Deck Preferences Icon for Virtual Stream Deck

 

6) The Virtual Stream Deck settings has a number of ways you can optimize your experience.  

 

Virtual Stream Deck Settings

 

7) Each Virtual Stream Deck you create will have unique settings.  First, select the virtual device, like "Virtual Stream Deck 2".  Then, go to the settings for that particular Virtual Stream Deck.  

You can fully customize each Virtual Stream Deck panel:

Display‎

  • Docked or dynamic mode
  • Hotkey to show/hide
  • Optional auto-hide after use

Layout‎

  • Set rows/columns (up to 8×8)
  • Hide empty keys
  • Resize panel

Appearance‎

  • Adjust key size
  • Set opacity
  • Choose a frame color

You can create dozens of Virtual Stream Decks on one PC or Mac.  You can have up to 64 keys per Virtual Stream Deck.

You can even have separate Hotkeys for each Virtual Stream Deck, to show and hide them at will.

If you neglected to set a hotkey, and need to open your Virtual Stream Deck window again, you can go to this icon, and then set your hotkey:  

 

Stream Deck Preferences Icon for Virtual Stream Deck

 

Virtual Stream Deck is designed to work with the standard Stream Deck software in a regular OS, and not in a virtual machine's OS.  

Note: If you have any issues with Stream Deck 7.0.0, and want to go back to version 6.9, you can find it at the Elgato Stream Deck 6.9 Release Notes page.

 


Remove Virtual Device


 

To remove a Virtual Device:

1) Go to the Stream Deck Preferences, and choose the Devices tab.

2) In the Device Name drop down, select your Virtual Stream Deck.

 

Stream Deck - Forget Device

3) Press the Forget Device... button.  Usually, this option is for Stream Deck hardware, but you can also use it for virtual devices.  You will be asked "Do you want to forget this device?".  Press "Forget". Profiles associated with your virtual device will be deleted.  

 

Note: Do not press "Forget" unless you are certain you want to remove your Virtual Device. This step cannot be undone, and your Virtual Stream Deck cannot be recovered.

You can only Forget one Virtual Stream Deck at a time - not all at once.

 

Stream Deck - Forget This Device Dialogue

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