Valve to End Steam Support for 32-Bit Operating Systems in 2026
Valve has announced it will end support for 32-bit operating systems on its Steam platform starting January 1, 2026. After this date, Steam will only run on 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, marking a significant shift as the company phases out older technology.
According to Valve’s statement on the Steam website, the decision was made because many of the platform’s core features now depend on drivers and libraries that no longer support 32-bit systems.
Data from Steam’s Hardware Survey shows that just 0.01% of active systems still run on 32-bit operating systems, indicating the move will impact only a tiny portion of users.
Valve clarified that existing Steam installations on Windows 10 32-bit machines will continue to function for a limited time, but they will no longer receive updates, including critical security patches. Additionally, technical support will not be provided for users on outdated systems, and Valve cannot guarantee the continued functionality of Steam on these versions.
Gamers concerned about their libraries were reassured that 32-bit games will remain playable, even after the support cutoff.
This change follows a broader industry trend as software companies transition to 64-bit-only environments, which offer better performance, enhanced security, and compatibility with modern hardware. Valve’s decision effectively signals the final phase-out of 32-bit OS support for one of the world’s largest PC gaming platforms.
