Valve has recently announced that support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 operating systems will be discontinued on January 1, 2024, PCGamer reports.
The decision was made due to compatibility concerns with Google Chrome, which is embedded in the most recent version of Steam. Also, future versions of Steam will require Windows features and security updates that are exclusive to Windows 10 and higher.
Your Windows Update Is Inevitable
While some may be surprised by this news, Microsoft already ended support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 back in January. This means that for several months, users of these operating systems have not received any security or feature updates. Microsoft has advised consumers to replace outdated devices with those that support Windows 11.
The percentage of Steam gamers that are still operating on Windows 7 or 8 is quite low. Just 0.09% of users on Steam are running Windows 7, while 1.43% are using the 64-bit version of the operating system, according to Steam's February Hardware and Software Survey. The usage of Windows 8.1 is much lower, coming in at less than half a percent.
Valve's recent decision may have caused concern among some gamers who rely on older hardware to play games. Despite this, it is easy to understand why Valve made a choice to stop offering support for these operating systems, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain compatibility with older software.
Gaming Platforms Are Ditching Old Operating Systems
Valve's decision follows a similar move by Epic Games, which dropped Windows 7 and 8 support for Fortnite earlier this month. In its announcement, Epic Games recommended that users of these operating systems use GeForce Now instead.
According to IGN, PC players can upgrade to Windows 10 or 11. If users still want to play "Fortnite" on their Windows 7 or 8 computer, Epic Games recommends downloading and streaming the title through GeForce Now, Nvidia's cloud gaming service. Moreover, "Fortnite" is accessible on Xbox Cloud Gaming.
After January 1, 2024, Valve suggests users upgrade to a newer version of Windows if they wish to continue using Steam. This may require purchasing a new computer, which can be costly for some users. Nonetheless, it is crucial to highlight that continuing to use an unsupported operating system can put consumers at risk for security risks.
What's Next?
Valve's decision to end support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 is not unexpected, given that Microsoft ended support for these operating systems earlier this year.
While some gamers may be disappointed, upgrading to a more recent version of Windows is crucial to ensure continued security and compatibility with newer software.
As technology and these gaming platforms advance, older hardware and software will inevitably become obsolete, and it is up to users to stay up to date to ensure the best possible user experience.
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