If you’re still rocking Windows 7 or 8 and you’re a Steam enthusiast, it might be time to consider an upgrade.
In today’s fast-paced software world, everything has a shelf life, and operating systems are no exception. Companies like Microsoft and Apple inevitably stop supporting outdated systems as user bases shrink. This is also true for software developers, including Valve, who have been distributing games on Steam since the era of Windows XP. Earlier this year, in January, Valve officially announced that its support for Windows 7 and 8 had ceased. This means that Steam Support would no longer be able to assist with technical issues for users on these older operating systems.
Fast forward eleven months, and the first Steam update has emerged that Windows 7 and 8 users can’t download, as noted by PC Gamer. According to the update, “This version of the Steam client will no longer run on Windows 7 or Windows 8,” explaining that those on these systems won’t receive automatic updates for the new Steam Client version. There might be various reasons why some stick to Windows 7 or 8—costs of upgrading are one of them, as not everyone has the budget to buy a new machine. But it’s a decision grounded in logic; October’s Steam hardware survey showed that just 0.29% of users are still on Windows 7.
What’s more revealing, the report indicates that Windows 8 essentially has no users left, which isn’t surprising given its unfavorable reputation. It’s curious why Valve took this long to pull the plug on support, especially with many transitioning to Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest offering. But, as they say, good things—or in this case, inevitable changes—take time.
