Steam to End Support for 32-Bit Windows as Platform Shifts Fully to 64-Bit
Valve has announced plans to discontinue support for 32-bit versions of Windows on Steam, marking a full transition of the platform to a 64-bit architecture.
The company has begun rolling out an updated Steam client that runs exclusively as a 64-bit application on Windows 10 and Windows 11. As part of this change, official support for Windows 10 32-bit—the last remaining 32-bit operating system compatible with Steam—will end on January 1, 2026.
According to Valve, the move will affect only a very small portion of its user base, with just 0.01 percent of Steam users still running the client on a 32-bit version of Windows. Microsoft itself phased out 32-bit Windows releases several years ago, accelerating the industry-wide shift to 64-bit systems.
Valve said the existing 32-bit Steam client may continue to function for now, but it will no longer receive updates, security patches, or new features. Users still on 32-bit Windows are being advised to upgrade to a 64-bit edition of the operating system to maintain full access to Steam’s services.
The company highlighted the advantages of 64-bit systems, including better memory support, improved stability, and continued compatibility with older software through Windows’ WoW64 subsystem, which allows most 32-bit applications to run without performance issues on modern processors.
Beyond ending 32-bit support, the latest Steam update also introduces several improvements for the wider user base. These include a fix for an H.265 game recording issue affecting systems with Nvidia 50-series graphics cards, enhanced reporting tools for abusive or suspicious group chat behavior, and added compatibility for Nintendo Switch 2 USB controllers and GameCube adapters running in Wii U mode.
The update underscores Valve’s push to modernise Steam’s underlying technology while aligning the platform with current operating system standards.
