If you primarily use Steam for PC gaming but are using hardware that only supports a 32-bit version of Windows, you may want to consider upgrading soon. You’ll want to do so because Steam will be ending support for its ubiquitous storefront and game launcher on that older hardware in the new year.
Thankfully, you do still have a couple of months to make the upgrade before Steam’s future security and functionality updates stop applying to you. If you don’t, you may have trouble playing your favorite PC games in 2026.
When is Steam’s Windows 32-bit OS support ending?
Make sure you upgrade before next year
In a recent post on Steam’s support website, Valve confirmed that it will “stop supporting systems running 32-bit versions of Windows” come January 1, 2026. This will primarily impact those using the 32-bit version of Windows 10 that Valve was still trying to support.
As for its reasoning for ending support, Valve says that “core features in Steam rely on system drivers and other libraries that are not supported on 32-bit versions of Windows.” Essentially, as Valve continues to build out Steam over time, it doesn’t want to be held back by the restrictions that supporting the 32-bit Windows 10 OS introduces.
After January 1 of next year, you’ll need to be using the 64-bit version of Windows 10 or better as your PC OS if you don’t want to stop receiving any Steam client updates. Thankfully, Valve says that 32-bit games should still run properly if you’re using the Windows 10 64-bit version of Steam.
In reality, most will want to upgrade so they can play upcoming games like Resident Evil Requiem, Halloween, or 007 First Light.
Considering Microsoft itself is ending updates for Windows 10 and really wants people to upgrade to Windows 11 right now, we shouldn’t be too surprised by the fact that 32-bit versions of Windows 10 are becoming too untenable to support. We’re finally starting to see more and more gaming companies move on from older hardware, as games like Genshin Impact and PUBG: Battlegrounds drop support for PS4 and Xbox One.
Valve claims that only .01% of its user base is using Windows 10 32-bit, but it’s definitely possible that this percentage is a bit bigger because some people didn’t opt into the Steam Hardware Survey. If you think this will impact you, consider picking up a Steam Deck or upgrading your PC hardware so you can keep playing your Steam library of games.
