Key Takeaways
1. Valve is transitioning to a fully 64-bit Steam client, ending support for the 32-bit version by January 1, 2026.
2. Users on 32-bit Windows will be placed on a separate branch with no updates or security fixes after the cutoff date.
3. Only about 0.01% of Steam’s user base is still using 32-bit Windows, making the impact of this change minimal.
4. 32-bit games will still function on 64-bit Windows due to compatibility layers, so users need not worry about losing access to these games.
5. Many users on 32-bit systems likely have the hardware to upgrade to 64-bit, but those with outdated 32-bit processors will lose access to Steam.
Valve is making a significant transition to a fully 64-bit Steam client on compatible Windows PCs, gradually eliminating support for the 32-bit version. In a December update, many users observed that Steam is now operating as a native 64-bit application on Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11.
Changes for 32-bit Users
For those still using 32-bit versions of Windows, they are placed on a separate branch that will no longer be updated after 1 January 2026. This isn’t a subtle shift by Valve; the company had previously announced in September that support for 32-bit Windows would be dropped next year due to its incompatibility with core Steam features. Moreover, only a very small percentage of users were on older systems to run Steam.
Future of Steam on 32-bit Systems
For users on 32-bit Windows, Steam will continue to work as it does currently, but after the cutoff date, the client will no longer receive updates or security fixes. There also won’t be any assurance that new games will function correctly on these systems. Valve has made it clear in its Steam Support FAQ, stating, “As of 1 January 2026, Steam will stop supporting systems running on 32-bit versions of Windows.” Future versions of Steam will exclusively support 64-bit setups, and customer support for outdated 32-bit PCs will also stop at the same time.
User Impact
This decision is unlikely to impact many users, considering the small number of Steam’s user base still utilizing 32-bit Windows. Valve found that only about 0.01% of active systems are still using 32-bit Windows. The most recent Steam Hardware Survey shows that 65.59% of Windows-based Steam users are on Windows 11 64-bit, 29.06% on Windows 10 64-bit, and a mere 0.08% on Windows 7 64-bit.
Additionally, this change will not affect 32-bit games on Steam, as they will continue to operate correctly on 64-bit Windows due to existing compatibility layers from Microsoft’s Windows on Windows (WOW64) enhancements. Valve highlighted this to prevent any misunderstandings among Steam users.
Upgrading Considerations
Many users still on 32-bit Windows likely have the hardware needed for a 64-bit upgrade. The main drawback is the tedious task of installing a fresh operating system. However, those still using nearly obsolete 32-bit processors will need to say farewell to Steam.
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