Steam will say goodbye to 32-bit Windows in 2026: Valve confirms the end of support that will only affect a few users

The client of the platform will only work on 64-bit systems from January.

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Valve has confirmed that its platform will no longer work on 32-bit operating systems. As of January 1, 2026, the Steam client will no longer be able to install or run on this architecture, marking the definitive end of support that had been in disuse for some time.

In practice, this change will only affect those who still use 32-bit Windows 10, the last version of Microsoft’s operating system that was still compatible with Steam. Users of 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11 will be able to continue using the client without issues, and 32-bit games will continue to function.

The Impact of Ending Support for 32-bit Windows

• Valve itself has explained in an official note that future versions of Steam will only run on 64-bit environments, as many of the libraries and drivers necessary for its operation are no longer supported on older architectures.

Who is Affected by the End of Steam Support on 32-bit Systems?

This change will only impact players who still use 32-bit Windows 10, a residual group that, according to Valve’s statistics, represents only 0.01% of active Steam users. For the vast majority, who already play on 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11, there will be no inconvenience: the client will continue to function normally and 32-bit games will remain compatible.