Tuesday, January 2nd 2024
Steam Ends Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 Support
As of January 1st, 2024, Steam has officially stopped supporting the Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 operating systems. After that date, existing Steam Client installations on these operating systems will no longer receive any updates, including critical security updates. Steam Support will be unable to offer technical assistance to users still on these older operating systems. Steam also cannot guarantee the continued functionality or security of the Steam client and games purchased through Steam on unsupported Windows versions. Users are strongly encouraged to update to a newer Windows 10 or 11 version to ensure Steam and its games continue functioning properly beyond the January 1st cutoff date.
This change is necessary because core Steam features rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome that no longer functions on older Windows. Future Steam versions will also require Windows features and security updates only present in Windows 10 and later. With Microsoft having ended security updates and technical support for Windows 7 in 2020 and Windows 8.1 in 2023, these older operating systems are increasingly vulnerable to new malware exploits when connected to the internet. This malware can negatively impact PC performance, cause Steam and games to crash, or be used to steal Steam account credentials. Updating to a supported Windows version is highly recommended for all Windows 7/8/8.1 users to continue securely running Steam.
Source:
Steam FAQ
This change is necessary because core Steam features rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome that no longer functions on older Windows. Future Steam versions will also require Windows features and security updates only present in Windows 10 and later. With Microsoft having ended security updates and technical support for Windows 7 in 2020 and Windows 8.1 in 2023, these older operating systems are increasingly vulnerable to new malware exploits when connected to the internet. This malware can negatively impact PC performance, cause Steam and games to crash, or be used to steal Steam account credentials. Updating to a supported Windows version is highly recommended for all Windows 7/8/8.1 users to continue securely running Steam.
89 Comments on Steam Ends Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 Support
Besides the bigger concern is old games, one may want to run on old hardware on a retro system.
For that retro use-case switching to linux doesn't really cut it. Even if end of the day the games can run in Wine on more modern hardware.
(I use Linux)
It is a shame to see it go :(
Well, it was nice playing Orange Box on Win7 while it lasted...
Well good thing is, if steam works atm their updates shouldn't mess it up anymore in the future kind of like ms updates so this is time to rejoice :laugh:
For me, the best version of windows was Windows 95. I was 19 at the time. Lots of nostalgia effects user judgement of things.
Regarding Windows 10, the problems are ugliness and potentially forced updates.
The closest ANYONE has come to that is Valve themselves with SteamOS, which in all fairness, runs like a dream(but it's still not even 94% game title compatible). Mint is the next easiest followed by other Debian variants and branches out from there in a very fragmented and disjointed way.
Linux is NOT the answer for Windows 7 users, which are at this point a rare breed. Even ME, a diehard Windows 7 lover, has moved on to Windows 11 for my main gaming system and main internet system(yes two different PCs for each purpose).
Linux okay
This is just a morbid joke right :kookoo:
Hell if you like entering a password all the time just use a standard user account in any windows version
And still have an easier life than on any linux distro :laugh:
I've tried mint several times and have been underwhelmed every time.
I only have one game on steam so lol that's not enough to swap os's doubt batman could fix linux either :laugh:
Epic might be but still the rest of linux even mint is not cutting the mustard verses pita parts.