Steam offers support for a variety of different operative systems, but in a few months, older versions of Windows will be left behind due to a specific reason, Valve confirmed today.
With an update posted on the Support website, it has been confirmed that Steam will no longer support Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 from January 1st, 2024. From this day, the Steam Client will no longer run on these versions of the operative system, and users will be required to update to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to continue using Steam and all products purchased through it. This was caused by Google Chrome no longer supporting older versions of Windows, as the newest Steam features rely on an embedded version of the web browser.
On a related note, a new Beta Client update has gone live, introducing a variety of new features and improvements. Among the additions, which include some Steam Deck and Steam Input fixes, is an End of Life alert that warns users still on Windows 7/8/8.1 of end of support for these operating systems on January 1st, 2024. The full update notes can be found by going here.
While support dropping is always bad news, Steam no longer supporting older versions of Windows isn't going to impact most of the user base. According to the latest survey held last month, of the Steam users using a Windows operating system, only 1,43% are still on Windows 7 64 bit, 0,34% on Windows 8.1 64 bit and 0,09% on Windows 7, so it was only a matter of time before support would be dropped.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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