Valve’s November 2024 Steam shopper replace has formally ended compatibility with Home windows 7 and Home windows 8, marking a big step in phasing out these outdated working techniques. Nevertheless, for these nonetheless utilizing these platforms, the outdated model of the Steam shopper will proceed to perform—a minimum of in the meanwhile.
Steam introduced earlier this yr that it could cease supporting Home windows 7, 8, and eight.1 beginning January 1, 2024. Whereas this meant no extra updates or technical help for these working techniques, the shopper itself remained purposeful 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 techniques won’t mechanically obtain the most recent replace, making certain that the prevailing Steam shopper continues to work. Nevertheless, this performance just isn’t assured indefinitely, as future adjustments to Steam’s providers or video games may finally trigger compatibility points.
Why the Change?
The tip of help is basically resulting from 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 depend upon Home windows updates out there solely in Home windows 10 and later.
Microsoft ended official help for Home windows 7 in January 2020 and for Home windows 8.1 in January 2023, making these working techniques 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 Players Are Affected?
Whereas Home windows 7 and eight utilization on Steam is minimal, the numbers should not insignificant. In keeping with Steam’s October 2024 {Hardware} Survey, 0.28% of customers—round 350,000 players—nonetheless use Home windows 7. These customers might want to both improve their techniques or stick to the outdated Steam shopper, figuring out its performance could diminish over time.
Valve’s newest replace is a essential transfer to modernize its platform, but it surely leaves a small variety of players at a crossroads. When you’re nonetheless clinging to Home windows 7 or 8, the outdated Steam shopper gives a brief answer, however upgrading to a extra present working system is the one method to make sure a seamless and safe gaming expertise sooner or later.
