Steam, the popular digital distribution platform for video games and software has announced that it will officially cease support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 operating systems starting January 1, 2024. After this date, the Steam Client will no longer run on these older versions of Windows, and users will need to update to a more recent version of Windows to continue using Steam and accessing their purchased games and products.
The decision comes as Steam’s newest features increasingly rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which has already discontinued support for older Windows operating systems. Furthermore, upcoming updates to Steam will require Windows features and security updates exclusive to Windows 10 and later versions.
This move follows a trend in the software industry of phasing out support for outdated operating systems. By doing so, developers can focus on optimizing their software for newer, more secure, and feature-rich platforms. The discontinuation of support for older Windows versions will ultimately benefit both developers and users, allowing for a more streamlined and safe gaming experience.
