Steam Ends Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 Support

[AleksandarK]

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.



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[Ferrum Master]

Let me fix it.

Users are strongly encouraged to update to a newer Windows 10 or 11 version Linux.

 

[qlum]

Let me fix it.

As much as I like using Linux (arch btw) I don't think the average person hard-stuck on windows 7 or 8 would know how to work with Linux.

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.

 

[delshay]

Let me fix it.

There seem to be an unconfirmed fix using the latest 20/12/2023 Beta.

 

[trsttte]

As much as I like using Linux (arch btw) I don't think the average person hard-stuck on windows 7 or 8 would know how to work with Linux.

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 hope that's not the case for their sake, if they're hard-stuck refusing to update away from an unsupported OS I hope they know what they're doing and should be the type of user that can figure things out when necessary.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

I hope that's not the case for their sake, if they're hard-stuck refusing to update away from an unsupported OS I hope they know what they're doing and should be the type of user that can figure things out when necessary.

"Windys 7 was good enough for my Grandpappy, so it's good enough for me! <spits into spitoon>"

(I use Linux)

 

[csendesmark]

Win 7 is the best version of all Microsoft operating systems...
It is a shame to see it go

 

[mtosev]

I think it's reasonable that steam is dropping support for older oses that Microsoft stopped supporting a couple of years ago.

 

[agent_x007]

I guess, ALL STEAM games should change their minimum OS requirement to Win10 or higher
Well, it was nice playing Orange Box on Win7 while it lasted...

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
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

 

[Daven]

Win 7 is the best version of all Microsoft operating systems...
It is a shame to see it go

The best windows is always related to your age at the time. Whenever you were 18-24, thats the best version of windows for you.

For me, the best version of windows was Windows 95. I was 19 at the time. Lots of nostalgia effects user judgement of things.

 

[nageme]

The best windows is always related to your age at the time.

Nah, over time there are multiple nice/best versions. Only some are disliked.

Regarding Windows 10, the problems are ugliness and potentially forced updates.

 

[Hyderz]

The best windows is always related to your age at the time. Whenever you were 18-24, thats the best version of windows for you.

Windows vista…. Oh the horrors

 

[Ferrum Master]

The best windows is always related to your age at the time. Whenever you were 18-24, thats the best version of windows for you.

For me, the best version of windows was Windows 95. I was 19 at the time. Lots of nostalgia effects user judgement of things.

Not sure from where you took the idea.... here we have older guys who probably started with Punched cards and during that age and latter using MS-DOS...

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Windows vista…. Oh the horrors

Vista was Windows Millennium Edition for the new millennium!

 

[lexluthermiester]

Let me fix it.

I love statements like this. Always good for a laugh..

 

[Imouto]

As much as I like using Linux (arch btw) I don't think the average person hard-stuck on windows 7 or 8 would know how to work with Linux.

There are plenty of easy to use Linux distributions. Even the installer is easier and faster than the Windows one. No tricky setup. No pushy veiled threats about not creating a Microsoft account.

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 kid you not, Linux runs older Windows games better than Windows. Emulation is a non-issue with stuff like Emulation Station or EmuDeck for the Steam Deck. For older systems Linux is a no-brainer.

 

[lexluthermiester]

No tricky setup. No pushy veiled threats about not creating a Microsoft account.

True. However, that doesn't make Linux a valid alternative for Windows 7 users.

I kid you not, Linux runs older Windows games better than Windows.

That is blatantly false. Certain Linux distro's can run Windows games and in some cases with better in-game performance. That does NOT equate to an over-all "better" experience, because what you are leaving out is the amount of tweaking & fiddling required and level of expertise needed to achieve that performance. MOST people are not power users who can easily jump into a Linux OS and know what they are doing. They want their PC to "just work" and play their games.

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).

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Linux okay
This is just a morbid joke right

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

 

[lexluthermiester]

And still have an easier life than on any linux distro

To be fair, for anything not gaming related, most Linux distro's can be a very rewarding experience.

 

[ThrashZone]

To be fair, for anything not gaming related, most Linux distro's can be a very rewarding experience.

Finding replacement apps to use is anything but rewarding except in the " oops sudo" frustration department.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Finding replacement apps to use is anything but rewarding except in the " oops sudo" frustration department.

That is why I love Mint. The app/program repository has A LOT of really quality offerings for nearly any task and it's ridonkculously easy to use. If you haven't tried it recently, I recommend giving it a go on a spare system/drive. However, for gaming, unless you are going to install Steam's client, be ready for pain. GOG's Linux support is present, but not as expansive. I hate to say it, but Valve has the edge there. Beyond Steam and console emulation, gaming on Linux is pain, full stop.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
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
Epic might be but still the rest of linux even mint is not cutting the mustard verses pita parts.

 

[EatingDirt]

That is why I love Mint. The app/program repository has A LOT of really quality offerings for nearly any task and it's ridonkculously easy to use. If you haven't tried it recently, I recommend giving it a go on a spare system/drive. However, for gaming, unless you are going to install Steam's client, be ready for pain. GOG's Linux support is present, but not as expansive. I hate to say it, but Valve has the edge there. Beyond Steam and console emulation, gaming on Linux is pain, full stop.

I imagine if you're mostly gaming, and most of your games are Steam games, then SteamOS might work? I haven't personally tried it, so maybe it's support is not great outside of gaming?

Hi,
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
Epic might be but still the rest of linux even mint is not cutting the mustard verses pita parts.

Besides work-related (microsoft) programs, what's your problem with Mint? The experience is essentially windows, with different installation files. I tried it once a few years back, and if I didn't game, it would probably be my OS of choice because of its ease of use.

 

[R-T-B]

I can't really think of any steam-exclusive game that won't run on newer OSes. If it NEEDS Windows 7 you can probably find it DRM free or on CD.