Valve has just taken a major step by permanently stopping support for Windows 7 and 8 in its latest Steam client update. This decision marks an important turning point for gamers still using these now obsolete operating systems.
End clap for gaming under Windows 7 and 8? According to Steam’s November 5 patch note, ” this version of the Steam client will no longer work under Windows 7 or Windows 8 “. Users affected will no longer automatically receive new updates of the gaming platform.
This development was predictable, Microsoft having ceased support for Windows 7 in January 2020 and that of Windows 8 in January 2023. Valve had also announced its intention to stop updates for these systems from January 1, 2024, while allowing limited use without technical support.
Steam abandons Windows 7 and 8, the opportunity to upgrade to the next version?
Although Windows 7, launched in 2009, now only represents 0.28% of Steam users according to the latest statistics from October 2024, this still represents around 350,000 players out of the 132 million active users of the platform.
For diehards who refuse to upgrade to Windows 10 or 11, several alternatives exist. It is possible to migrate to Linux, SteamOS, or macOS. Steam supports Linux distributions based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or newer, as well as macOS 10.15 Catalina and later.
Current Windows 7 or 8 users can theoretically continue to use Steam without forcing the updatebut this solution is only temporary. Additionally, known security vulnerabilities in Windows 7 make it risky to use on the Internet.
This end of support marks the end of an era for Windows 7, one of the most popular versions of Microsoft’s operating system. For affected players, migrating to Windows 11, which has recently become the most popular operating system on Steam, appears to be the best solution.
Alternatively, players can turn to the Steam Deck, Valve’s portable console running SteamOS, a custom Linux distribution allowing gaming without relying on Microsoft.
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