Steam Will Soon Lose Support for Around 0.01% of Its Install Base

Valve has made a significant announcement regarding its Steam platform, indicating that support for 32-bit Windows operating systems will cease on January 1st of the coming year. This decision primarily affects users still operating on a 32-bit version of Windows 10, which, according to Valve, constitutes a mere 0.01% of systems surveyed in their Steam Hardware Survey. Therefore, the likelihood of this change impacting the average user is exceedingly low, though it remains a possibility.

Understanding the Transition

For those who may be uncertain about their operating system, checking whether you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 10 is straightforward. Simply navigate to the System menu and select About; the information will be readily available there. It’s worth noting that users who have upgraded to Windows 11 need not worry, as Microsoft has not released a 32-bit version of this latest operating system.

While Valve has confirmed that Steam will continue to function on 32-bit Windows 10 machines even after support ends, users should be aware that they will no longer receive updates or assistance. This means that if a critical issue arises that affects the usability of Steam on a 32-bit system, users will have no recourse for resolution.

The rationale behind this decision stems from the need for core Steam features to rely on system drivers and libraries that are incompatible with 32-bit versions of Windows. As technology continues to advance, maintaining support for outdated systems becomes increasingly challenging.

Additional Developments in Steam

In related news, Steam has recently implemented an age verification process for users in the UK, requiring valid credit card details to access adult content on the platform. This move follows a period of controversy where the storefront faced backlash for removing certain adult games, a decision influenced by pressure from payment processors. Notably, this has prompted other digital storefronts, such as Itch.io, to make similar adjustments.