Steam Ceases Support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1

With the passage of time and the advent of new Windows releases, the relevance of older versions diminishes. Valve recently announced the cessation of Steam support for pre-Windows 10 OS, encompassing 7/8/8.1, in 2024. This change has now taken effect.

As per the official Steam support page, the Steam launcher has ceased to support Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 operating systems post-January 1, 2024. Consequently, services for these operating systems have been discontinued, encompassing installation, system requirements, and technical support.

The decision was significantly influenced by Microsoft’s cessation of security updates for Windows 7 in January 2020 and for Windows 8.1 in January 2023. Operating systems lacking security updates are susceptible to malware and cyberattacks. In alignment with this, Google Chrome also terminated support for Windows 7.

These attacks capitalize on the vulnerabilities present in outdated systems, posing risks of harm to applications and potential identity theft. Such security concerns stand as primary reasons prompting Steam to discontinue support for Windows 7/8/8.1.

Is It Possible to Play Steam Games on Windows 7, 8, or 8.1?

Valve has advised users to upgrade their operating systems to Windows 10 or later before January 1, 2024. While stating that the Steam client and games may continue running for a while without updates on these older systems post-January 1st, 2024, Valve cannot assure prolonged functionality beyond that date. This implies that no future updates will be provided, emphasizing the importance of upgrading devices promptly.

“After January 1st, 2024, we anticipate the Steam client and games on these older operating systems will continue functioning for a period without updates, but sustained functionality beyond that date cannot be guaranteed.” – Valve

Considering this news, it’s crucial to upgrade to the latest Windows build. What are your thoughts on Valve’s decision to discontinue Steam support for older operating systems? Share your reactions in the comments below.