Steam to End Windows 7/8/8.1 Support in 2024
The popular online game distribution platform, Steam by Valve, has announced that it will officially stop supporting Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 operating systems as of January 1, 2024. This means that the Steam client will no longer run on these versions of Windows, and users will have to update to a more recent version of Windows in order to continue using Steam and any games or other products purchased through the platform.
Steam Wants Users to Upgrade to Windows 10
The change is necessary because Steam’s core features rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which no longer functions on older versions of Windows. Furthermore, future versions of Steam will require Windows feature and security updates that are only present in Windows 10 and above.
While support for these older Windows versions won’t end until 2024, Steam is encouraging users to update to Windows 10 or above sooner rather than later. Microsoft ended security updates and technical support for Windows 7 in January 2020 and for Windows 8.1 in January 2023. This means that computers running these operating systems, when connected to the internet, are susceptible to new malware and other exploits which will not be patched. Such malware can cause your PC, Steam, and games to perform poorly or crash, and can also be used to steal your credentials for Steam and other services.
Steam’s decision to end support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 may come as a surprise to some users who are still using these older operating systems. However, it is important to note that technology is constantly evolving, and companies such as Steam must adapt in order to ensure the security and stability of their platform. Steam will continue to support Windows 10 and above, which offers users the latest features and security updates to keep their systems and data safe.
In conclusion, if you are still using Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 and are an avid Steam user, it is highly recommended that you update to a more recent version of Windows as soon as possible in order to avoid potential security risks and ensure that you can continue using Steam and all of its features.
