Valve, the company behind the popular gaming platform Steam, has officially ended support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, marking the end of an era for many gamers still using these older versions of Microsoft’s operating system. This decision, effective from January 1, 2024, symbolizes a significant shift in the gaming landscape, aligning with the evolution of technology and software.
The discontinuation of support for these older Windows versions is rooted in the need for compatibility with modern software requirements. Valve cited the use of an embedded version of Google Chrome within Steam, which no longer functions on older versions of Windows, as a key reason for this change. Future updates and security enhancements from Steam will now require Windows 10 or 11, highlighting the importance of keeping up with the latest technological advancements for optimal gaming performance.
While Steam has supported Windows 7 for an impressively long time, considering it was released in 2009, the move to cease support aligns with Microsoft’s own timeline.
Microsoft ended extended support for enterprise Windows 7 in January 2023, and for regular editions, support ended in 2020. Thus, Valve’s decision comes after even Microsoft had stopped updating these older OS versions.
Valve’s announcement serves as a crucial reminder for users on these older systems. The lack of updates and support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 can expose users to new malware and other security vulnerabilities. These risks could lead to compromised performance of PCs, games, and even the potential theft of Steam account credentials.
According to Steam’s hardware survey in December 2023, a small but significant portion of its user base, about 0.21%, still operates on Windows 7 and 8.1. With Steam’s 132 million monthly active users as of 2021, this percentage represents hundreds of thousands of gamers. Valve’s decision might be the necessary push for these users to upgrade their operating systems, especially with rumors of Windows 12 on the horizon, offering a new reason to delay updates.
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