On September 18, Valve announced that Steam will end support for the 32-bit version of Windows 10, the last remaining 32-bit OS that Steam currently supports, effective January 1, 2026. Valve suggested that Steam users wishing to continue enjoying their favorite PC titles on a Windows operating system upgrade to a 64-bit version to prevent any technical problems.

Steam’s decision to drop Windows 10 32-bit aligns with a broader movement towards phasing out support for the once ubiquitous operating system. Following the introduction of Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft stated that Windows 10 will cease to be supported officially after October 14, 2025. In response to customer feedback, Microsoft will offer an extended security update program for Windows 10 users, but the fees will differ for individual and business clients. However, for access to new functionalities and ongoing support for various PC games, an upgrade to Windows 11 will ultimately be necessary.

When Is Steam Ending Windows 10 32-Bit Support?

• January 1, 2026

Despite the decline in mainstream support for 32-bit operating systems, this shift marks a noteworthy transition for Steam. According to Steam’s support page, the platform will stop supporting Windows 10 32-bit versions on January 1, 2026. After this date, no updates will be provided for affected users, and Steam cannot guarantee functionality or provide technical assistance for 32-bit systems. Steam’s August 2025 Hardware Survey noted that this change would impact merely 0.01% of surveyed users, while Windows 11 holds the title of the most widely used operating system at 60.39% among surveyed Steam players, followed by Windows 10 64-bit at 35.08%. Although Microsoft’s cutoff point is October 14, Windows 10 64-bit will still be supported by Steam; also, 32-bit games and apps can continue running without interruption.

Valve elaborated that Steam depends on system drivers and libraries that 32-bit Windows versions do not support, hence this shift to 64-bit OS support exclusively. As the deadline set by Microsoft approaches, games like Final Fantasy 14 will conclude mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14.

Affected users who choose not to upgrade their PCs to a 64-bit OS will miss out on the latest features from Steam as they become available. For this reason, Valve strongly recommends that 32-bit Windows users upgrade their systems to minimize any potential problems.