Valve, the company behind the popular digital storefront Steam, has officially announced plans to cease support for 32-bit versions of Windows 10. Starting January 1, 2026, the Steam client will no longer receive updates or technical support on these older operating systems. This move aims to streamline development and focus resources on modern system architectures, ensuring a more efficient and secure experience for the vast majority of its user base.
The decision, detailed on a Steam support page, is primarily driven by the extremely small percentage of users still running 32-bit Windows 10. Valve noted that this specific operating system configuration accounts for only about 0.01% of current Steam users. The company stated that maintaining compatibility with these older systems is no longer practical due to the absence of crucial system drivers and other software libraries required for Steam's ongoing functionality and future updates.
For the small number of users currently on 32-bit Windows 10, the implications are significant. While the Steam client may continue to function after the January 1, 2026 deadline, it will not receive any further updates, including essential security patches. This means that affected users could face increased security vulnerabilities and may experience degraded or non-functional features over time. Furthermore, Steam Support will no longer be able to provide technical assistance for any issues encountered on these unsupported operating systems.
It is important to clarify that this change exclusively applies to 32-bit versions of Windows 10. Support for 64-bit Windows 10 will continue without interruption. Players using 64-bit Windows 10 will also still be able to run 32-bit games within the Steam client without any issues. Valve strongly advises any users currently on 32-bit Windows 10 to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows before the cutoff date. This upgrade will ensure they continue to receive all Steam updates, including security fixes, and maintain full access to technical support and a stable gaming environment.
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