As of November 2024, Valve has made a significant shift in its support for the Steam PC client, discontinuing compatibility with Windows 7 and Windows 8. This decision, outlined in the recent Steam Client Update released on November 5, means that users operating on these older Microsoft systems will no longer receive automatic updates for their Steam client.
Transitioning to Modern Standards
Valve had previously signaled this transition, announcing that as of January 1, 2024, official support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 would cease. While it is likely that Steam may still function on these platforms, Valve has cautioned that they cannot guarantee continued functionality without updates. This change is primarily driven by the reliance on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which is incompatible with older Windows versions, as well as the need for specific OS features and security enhancements that are exclusive to Windows 10 and later.
Despite the potential impact on users, the number of affected gamers is relatively small. According to Valve’s latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey from October 2024, a remarkable 96.26% of PC gamers on the platform are utilizing either Windows 10 or Windows 11, leaving only 0.28% still on Windows 7. However, given the vast number of users on Steam, even a small percentage translates to a notable group of gamers who will be left behind.
One of the key features that Windows 7 and 8 users will miss out on is the new Steam Game Recording capability, introduced in the latest client release. This feature is part of Valve’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience and leverage modern technology.
The rationale behind this move aligns with broader industry trends, as Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 7 in 2020 and for Windows 8 in 2023. Operating systems that no longer receive updates are increasingly vulnerable to malware and security threats, prompting companies like Valve to prioritize user safety and software integrity by focusing on more current platforms.
