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has formally ended compatibility with Home windows 7 and Home windows 8, marking a major step in phasing out these outdated working methods. Nevertheless, for these nonetheless utilizing these platforms, the outdated model of the Steam shopper will proceed to operate—no less than in the meanwhile.
Steam introduced earlier this yr that it might 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 methods, 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 methods won’t robotically obtain the newest replace, making certain that the prevailing Steam shopper continues to work. Nevertheless, this performance shouldn’t be assured indefinitely, as future adjustments to Steam’s companies or video games might ultimately trigger compatibility points.
Why the Change?
The tip of help is essentially attributable to technical limitations. Steam depends on an embedded model of Google Chrome for its interface, which now not operates on Home windows 7 and eight. Moreover, future Steam options rely on Home windows updates accessible 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 methods extra vulnerable to safety dangers. Valve has emphasised that persevering with to make use of these platforms exposes customers to potential malware, which might hurt system efficiency or compromise accounts.
How Many Players Are Affected?
Whereas Home windows 7 and eight utilization on Steam is minimal, the numbers usually are 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 These customers might want to both improve their methods or follow the outdated Steam shopper, realizing its performance might diminish over time.
Valve’s newest replace is a crucial transfer to modernize its platform, nevertheless it leaves a small variety of players at a crossroads. When you’re nonetheless clinging to Home windows 7 or 8, the outdated Steam shopper presents a short lived resolution, however upgrading to a extra present working system is the one means to make sure a seamless and safe gaming expertise sooner or later.
