Steam Ends Support for 32-Bit Windows — What You Need to Know
From Jan 1, 2026, Steam will no longer support 32-bit Windows 10. Here’s how it affects users and what you should do.
Steam has officially announced that beginning January 1, 2026, it will stop supporting 32-bit versions of Windows. The only 32-bit version still supported is Windows 10 32-bit, currently used by just 0.01% of all Steam users
What “No Support” Means
- The Steam client running on Windows 10 32-bit will continue to function for the near term, but it will no longer receive any updates, including security patches and fixes.
- Steam Support will not guarantee technical help for issues related to unsupported OS versions.
- Core features of Steam depend increasingly on system drivers and other libraries that are not supported in 32-bit environments. This is a major reason why Steam is making the shift.
What Remains Supported
- Windows 10 (64-bit) and other 64-bit Windows versions are unaffected and will continue to receive full support.
- Games made for 32-bit architectures will still run on 64-bit systems.
Why This Is Happening
There are a few reasons behind the move:
- Tiny user base — only about 0.01% of users are on Windows 10 32-bit, per survey data.
- Modern hardware & software increasingly require 64-bit drivers and libraries, which 32-bit versions of Windows can’t support.
- Security & maintenance burden — keeping support for old systems can slow development and introduce vulnerabilities.
What You Should Do If You’re Affected
- Upgrade your system to a 64-bit version of Windows as soon as possible.
- Make sure your hardware supports 64-bit (most PCs built in the last decade will).
- Backup your data before performing upgrades.
Final Thought
For most Steam users, this change won’t be noticeable, but for the tiny fraction still running outdated 32-bit systems, it’s a clear signal: the future’s 64-bit. It’s time to upgrade if you want to keep getting updates, fixes, and support from Steam.