The latest Steam version no longer works on Windows 7 and 8

Steam with a black and white Windows 7 background

Earlier this week, Valve launched a big update for the Steam client, bringing avid gamers new options like gameplay recording and different enhancements. Sadly, all these goodies should not for these sticking to now-unsupported Home windows variations, specifically Home windows 7, 8, and eight.1. Valve made it clear that the most recent Steam replace is not going to work until you’re on Home windows 10 and newer (that additionally applies to older macOS variations, however who cares, proper?).

Here’s what Valve mentioned within the launch notes:

This model of the Steam shopper will not run on Home windows 7 or Home windows 8. Customers on these OS variations is not going to robotically replace to this new model of the Steam Shopper. See the Home windows 7 and Home windows 8 Assist FAQ for extra particulars.

It’s value noting that Steam nonetheless works on Home windows 7, 8, and eight.1. Due to this fact, you may nonetheless entry your library and play video games if updating to Home windows 10 isn’t an possibility. Nonetheless, Valve is not going to give you tech assist in case one thing occurs, and there’s a excessive probability that Steam will quickly cease engaged on pre-Home windows 10 releases altogether.

Valve dropped Home windows 7 and eight/8.1 assist in January 2024, one 12 months after when Microsoft ended the Prolonged Safety Replace program for these working techniques. Because of this, Google and different mainstream browsers ditched Windows 7 as well. Since Valve depends on Chrome, it ought to align its Steam assist with what Google does to the browser. Additionally, Steam requires some options and safety updates which are solely current on Home windows 10 and newer.

Based on Valve, Home windows 7 nonetheless has a small chunk of customers. Based on the Steam Hardware and Software Survey results for October 2024, roughly 0.28% of all Home windows customers on Steam run Home windows 7. Sadly, these wanting to maneuver away from Home windows 7 or its failed successor are in a tough scenario as Microsoft closed the ability to update to Windows 10 for free. Now, the one selection is to purchase a brand new license or a wholly new PC with Home windows 10 or 11 preinstalled.

By way of VideoCardz

Sensi Tech Hub
Logo