Valve has transitioned its Steam client to a 64-bit application on Windows, marking a significant change as it phases out support for 32-bit systems. This shift affects Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 users, while 32-bit systems remain on a separate compatibility branch that will cease receiving updates by 2026-01-01.
Reason for the Change
The decision aligns with Valve’s technology roadmap, which aims to enhance modern software compatibility and performance by adopting the 64-bit architecture. This update follows the company's September announcement regarding the timeline for ending 32-bit support. Currently, only 0.01% of Steam's active users operate on 32-bit Windows.
Despite this, 32-bit users can continue operating without updates or customer support after the cutoff date. The majority of users, however, run 64-bit Windows, according to Valve’s Hardware Survey, mitigating the overall impact of this change.
Implications for Users
Users with 32-bit systems must evaluate their hardware capabilities. Many such systems have 64-bit compatible CPUs and can upgrade to 64-bit Windows through a clean install. The transition supports broader industry shifts towards more secure and efficient platforms like Secure Boot. However, those reliant on entirely 32-bit hardware will face hurdles as support winds down, potentially needing new systems for future compatibility.
This change does not affect 32-bit games, which will continue running on 64-bit systems via Steam, indicating Valve's effort to maintain backward compatibility for its game library.
