Valve to End Steam Support for Windows 32-Bit Systems in 2026

Windows 10 and Steam

Valve has confirmed that Steam will no longer support 32-bit versions of Windows starting January 1, 2026. The change will primarily affect Windows 10 32-bit, which is currently the only 32-bit version still supported by the platform.

Why Valve Is Dropping 32-Bit Support

In its official announcement on the Steam support page, Valve explained that core features of the Steam client now rely on system drivers and libraries that are no longer compatible with 32-bit systems. Essentially, maintaining support has become unsustainable. As the company put it, future versions of Steam will run exclusively on 64-bit operating systems.

If you’re wondering how many people this decision impacts, the answer is very few. According to Valve’s most recent Steam Hardware Survey, only 0.01% of Steam users are still running a 32-bit version of Windows 10. That’s such a small percentage that most players won’t even notice the change.

What Happens If You Stay on 32-Bit Windows

For those still on 32-bit Windows 10, Steam will continue to function in the near term, but there are important limitations. The client won’t receive updates anymore, including critical security patches. That means the longer you stay on 32-bit, the more vulnerable your setup becomes, not to mention you won’t get any new features moving forward.

Valve also made it clear that technical support won’t be available for users sticking with outdated operating systems.

That said, your games are safe. Steam confirmed that 32-bit games will continue to run even after the cutoff date. So, if you have a library full of older titles, you won’t lose access to them. But for anyone who wants full functionality, upgrading to a 64-bit OS is the only real option.

The Bigger Picture

This move isn’t surprising when you look at the broader industry trend. Microsoft itself has long shifted focus toward 64-bit, with Windows 11 only available in 64-bit form. Hardware makers like AMD and Nvidia also dropped 32-bit driver support years ago. Valve is simply catching up with that reality.

It’s worth pointing out that Steam isn’t ending support for Windows 10 entirely. The vast majority of users are running the 64-bit version, which will continue to be supported. Valve has not announced any timeline for ending Steam support on Windows 10 64-bit.