Steam Ends Support for 32-bit Windows Starting January 1, 2026

Steam announced Starting January 1, 2026, Steam will end support for systems running 32-bit versions of Windows. This change affects a small number of Steam users and encourages moving to 64-bit Windows to continue receiving updates and support.

What’s changing

• Official Steam support for 32-bit Windows will end on January 1, 2026.
• Windows 10 32-bit is the only 32-bit version currently supported by Steam, found on about 0.01% of systems reporting to the Steam Hardware Survey.
• Windows 10 64-bit will remain supported. 32-bit games can still run on 64-bit systems—but future Steam versions will only run on 64-bit Windows.

Impact for 32-bit Windows users

• Existing Steam installations on 32-bit Windows 10 will continue to work temporarily, but will not receive updates, including security updates.
• The Steam support team will not provide technical assistance for issues related to unsupported 32-bit operating systems.
• Steam cannot guarantee continued service functionality on unsupported OS versions.

Why this change is necessary

Core Steam features rely on system drivers and libraries that are no longer supported on 32-bit Windows versions. Therefore, future Steam development and maintenance will focus solely on 64-bit Windows.

Practical recommendations

• Update to the 64-bit version of Windows immediately to continue receiving Steam feature and security updates.
• If you are still using 32-bit Windows: back up important data before making system changes.
• Check hardware compatibility (CPU and drivers) to ensure your machine supports 64-bit Windows before upgrading.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will my 32-bit games stop working?
32-bit games can still run on 64-bit Windows, but future Steam client versions will only run on 64-bit Windows.

Can I still use Steam on 32-bit Windows 10 after Jan 1, 2026?
Yes—existing installations may continue to run temporarily, but will not receive updates and there is no guarantee of long-term stability/security.

What should I do now?
Back up your data, check if your hardware supports 64-bit Windows, then plan to upgrade to the 64-bit Windows version to continue receiving updates and support.