Steam discontinues 32-bit Windows compatibility
Steam Moves Towards 64-bit Windows
Steam, the leading digital game distribution platform owned by Valve, has announced that future versions of its client will only run on Windows with 64 bits. This shift towards 64-bit compatibility comes as a timely recommendation, given that 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 together account for around 95 percent of the current Steam statistics.
The change is due to the reliance of core Steam functions on system drivers and other libraries that are not supported by 32-bit versions of Windows. As a result, the Steam client will no longer be supported on 32-bit versions of Windows 10 as of 2026. Existing installations may continue to function after this date, but Valve cannot guarantee this, and there will be no more updates for the 32-bit version, including security updates.
Meanwhile, 32-bit games will continue to run on Windows 10, even after 2026. However, the Steam client itself will remain a 32-bit app in all Windows versions until the transition to 64-bit is complete.
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Interestingly, only 0.01 percent of Steam users still use Windows 10 with 32 bits. MacOS and Linux are already 64-bit only, making the switch to a 64-bit Windows a practical choice for many Steam users.
Steam, initially launched in 2003, has grown to become the market leader in digital game distribution. It offers a vast library of games, community features, and easy access to updates and downloads. With this move towards 64-bit compatibility, Steam continues to adapt to the evolving needs of its user base and the broader technological landscape.
