Valve’s November 2024 Steam shopper replace has formally ended compatibility with Home windows 7 and Home windows 8, marking a major step in phasing out these outdated working programs. Nonetheless, for these nonetheless utilizing these platforms, the previous model of the Steam shopper will proceed to perform—not less than in the meanwhile.
Steam introduced earlier this 12 months that it might cease supporting Home windows 7, 8, and eight.1 beginning January 1, 2024. Whereas this meant no extra updates or technical assist for these working programs, the shopper itself remained practical till now. The November replace introduces a brand new Steam shopper that can’t run on Home windows 7 or 8, successfully locking out customers who attempt to replace.
Valve has clarified that customers on these older programs is not going to robotically obtain the most recent replace, guaranteeing that the prevailing Steam shopper continues to work. Nonetheless, this performance isn’t assured indefinitely, as future adjustments to Steam’s companies or video games may finally trigger compatibility points.
Why the Change?
The top of assist is essentially attributable to technical limitations. Steam depends on an embedded model of Google Chrome for its interface, which not operates on Home windows 7 and eight. Moreover, future Steam options rely on Home windows updates out there solely in Home windows 10 and later.
Microsoft ended official assist for Home windows 7 in January 2020 and for Home windows 8.1 in January 2023, making these working programs extra vulnerable to safety dangers. Valve has emphasised that persevering with to make use of these platforms exposes customers to potential malware, which may hurt system efficiency or compromise accounts.
How Many Avid gamers Are Affected?
Whereas Home windows 7 and eight utilization on Steam is minimal, the numbers will not be insignificant. Based on Steam’s October 2024 {Hardware} Survey, 0.28% of customers—round 350,000 avid gamers—nonetheless use Home windows 7. These customers might want to both improve their programs or keep on with the outdated Steam shopper, figuring out its performance might diminish over time.
Valve’s newest replace is a obligatory transfer to modernize its platform, however it leaves a small variety of avid gamers at a crossroads. When you’re nonetheless clinging to Home windows 7 or 8, the previous Steam shopper provides a short lived answer, however upgrading to a extra present working system is the one means to make sure a seamless and safe gaming expertise sooner or later.
