Steam Becomes 64-Bit Only on Supported Windows PCs, 32-Bit Support to End in 2026

Valve officially transitions the Steam client to 64-bit on modern Windows systems as legacy 32-bit Windows reaches end of life

Valve has started the final countdown for 32-bit Windows support on Steam, rolling out a major client update that makes the Steam app 64-bit only on compatible systems. With this change, Steam now runs natively as a 64-bit application on Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11, while 32-bit Windows users are being placed on a legacy branch that will stop receiving updates in January 2026.

Steam’s Shift to 64-Bit Is Now Live

The latest Steam client update marks a major technical milestone for Valve. For the first time, the Windows version of Steam is no longer a 32-bit application running inside a 64-bit operating system. Instead, it is now a fully native 64-bit app, bringing it in line with modern Windows standards.

Valve first confirmed this move in September, announcing that Steam would officially end support for 32-bit versions of Windows in 2026. The current update is the first visible step in that transition.

What Happens to 32-Bit Windows Users?

Steam will continue to function on 32-bit Windows systems until the cutoff date, but with major limitations. Once support officially ends on January 1, 2026, affected users will no longer receive:

Steam client updates

Security patches

Bug fixes

Guaranteed compatibility with future games or Steam backend changes

Official customer support

In short, Steam will be frozen in place for 32-bit Windows users after the deadline.

Very Few Steam Users Will Be Affected

The impact of this change is expected to be minimal. According to Valve’s latest Steam Hardware Survey:

Windows 11 64-bit accounts for roughly 66% of Windows users

Windows 10 64-bit follows at just under 30%

Older Windows versions now represent only fractions of a percent

Valve has previously stated that 32-bit Windows installations make up around 0.01% of active Steam systems. Since 32-bit operating systems are limited to about 4GB of RAM, most modern PCs moved on long ago.

Overall, nearly 95% of Steam users are on Windows, compared to around 3.2% on Linux and 2% on macOS.

Important Clarification: 32-Bit Games Are Not Going Away

Valve has repeatedly emphasized an important distinction:

The end of support applies only to 32-bit versions of Windows, not to 32-bit games.

Games built as 32-bit executables will continue to run on 64-bit Windows through Steam just as they do today. Players will not lose access to older or legacy titles simply because Steam itself has gone 64-bit.

Upgrade Options for Affected PCs

Many systems currently running 32-bit Windows actually have 64-bit capable CPUs. In those cases, users can continue using Steam by performing a clean installation of 64-bit Windows.

However, PCs built on true 32-bit processors will not be able to upgrade and will effectively reach the end of Steam compatibility once support ends.

Part of a Broader Move Toward Modern Windows Features

This transition aligns with Valve’s broader push toward modern Windows requirements. Recent Steam client updates have introduced features like Secure Boot reporting, signaling a long-term shift away from legacy platforms and toward improved security and performance.

Final Thoughts

Steam’s move to a 64-bit-only client on supported systems was inevitable, and for the vast majority of users, the change will be seamless. While 32-bit Windows users still have time before the 2026 cutoff, Valve’s message is clear: the future of Steam is fully 64-bit.



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