After years of running as a 32-bit application, Steam finally made the jump to 64-bit architecture on Windows. Valve released a Steam Client Beta update on November 25, 2025, that transitions the entire application to 64-bit on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. This technical upgrade marks the end of an era for anyone still running 32-bit versions of Windows, as Valve confirmed support for those legacy systems will completely end on January 1, 2026. While this affects an incredibly small percentage of users, it represents a significant modernization of the platform that powers PC gaming for millions worldwide.
What This Update Actually Changes
The November 25 beta update converts the Steam client from a 32-bit application to a native 64-bit application on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Previously, even if you were running 64-bit Windows, Steam itself was still a 32-bit program running through Windows’ WOW64 compatibility layer. This layer allows 32-bit applications to function on 64-bit operating systems by translating system calls and redirecting file paths, but it adds overhead and limitations.
With the new update, Steam.exe now shows as x64 in Windows Task Manager under the architecture column. Previously, only steamwebhelper.exe appeared as x64 while the main Steam client remained 32-bit. This change means the entire client ecosystem now runs natively in 64-bit mode, taking full advantage of modern system architecture without translation layers getting in the way.
Importantly, this doesn’t affect your ability to play 32-bit games. Those will continue working perfectly fine through Steam on 64-bit Windows. The change only impacts the Steam client application itself, not the games in your library. Windows still maintains compatibility layers for running legacy 32-bit software, so your classic games aren’t going anywhere.
Who Gets Left Behind
According to Valve’s official announcement, systems running 32-bit versions of Windows will continue receiving updates for the legacy 32-bit Steam client until January 1, 2026. After that date, existing installations will still function in the near term but won’t receive any updates including critical security patches. Eventually, the outdated client will stop working entirely as backend systems evolve beyond what the frozen legacy version can communicate with.
The good news is this affects almost nobody. According to Steam’s Hardware Survey, only 0.01% of users run 32-bit operating systems. That’s one in ten thousand users. Windows 10 32-bit is the only 32-bit version currently supported by Steam, as earlier versions like Windows 7, Vista, and XP 32-bit already lost official support years ago. Even that tiny 0.01% includes all 64-bit versions of older Windows like 8, 8.1, and XP 64-bit, meaning the actual percentage of affected users is even smaller.
The only scenario where someone might still be using 32-bit Windows in 2025 is if they installed Windows 7 32-bit over a decade ago and kept upgrading through Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 without ever doing a clean installation or buying new hardware. Most people in that situation probably have hardware fully capable of running 64-bit Windows but never bothered switching because everything worked fine.
Why Valve Made This Change
Valve’s official explanation is straightforward: core features in Steam rely on system drivers and libraries that don’t support 32-bit versions of Windows. As the platform continues evolving with new features like improved game recording, enhanced Steam Input support, native Wayland compatibility on Linux, and deeper system integration, maintaining compatibility with ancient 32-bit architecture becomes increasingly impractical.
The technical debt of supporting 32-bit has grown unsustainable. Modern gaming relies on technologies that simply don’t exist in 32-bit versions. DirectX 12 requires 64-bit Windows. Hardware manufacturers stopped producing 32-bit drivers years ago. Security features built into modern Windows depend on 64-bit architecture. By continuing to support 32-bit, Valve would need to maintain two completely separate codebases with different limitations and capabilities.
Additionally, 32-bit applications can’t access more than 4GB of RAM due to fundamental architectural limitations. While the Steam client itself doesn’t need massive amounts of memory, features like game recording, screenshot management, and the Steam overlay all benefit from having adequate memory available. Running in 64-bit removes these arbitrary restrictions and allows Valve to implement features without worrying about hitting memory walls.
The Transition Timeline
The 64-bit Steam client launched in beta on November 25, 2025, meaning it’s currently opt-in for users who manually join the Steam Client Beta program. Once Valve confirms stability and works out any remaining issues, the 64-bit version will roll out to all Windows 10 and 11 users through standard updates. Based on typical beta cycles, expect this to happen within a few weeks to a couple months.
The transition should be seamless for the overwhelming majority of users. When the update arrives, Steam will simply download and install the 64-bit version in the same directory where the 32-bit version currently lives. Your games, screenshots, settings, and everything else will remain exactly where they are. You probably won’t even notice the change beyond seeing x64 instead of x86 in Task Manager if you happen to check.
For the 0.01% running 32-bit Windows, the timeline is clearer and less forgiving. Updates continue until January 1, 2026, giving them about five weeks from the beta announcement to either upgrade to 64-bit Windows or accept that Steam will stop working. After that deadline, they can keep using the frozen legacy client until it eventually breaks, but they won’t receive bug fixes, security updates, or new features.
How to Check Your System
If you’re not sure whether you’re running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, checking takes about 10 seconds. On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to System, then About. Under Device Specifications, look for System Type. It will say either “64-bit operating system, x64-based processor” or “32-bit operating system, x86-based processor.” If it says 64-bit, you’re fine and this change won’t affect you negatively at all.
If it says 32-bit but also mentions x64-based processor, that means your hardware can run 64-bit Windows but you’re currently using a 32-bit installation. In this scenario, you’ll need to do a clean Windows installation with the 64-bit version. Unfortunately, you can’t directly upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows, you have to wipe and reinstall. Make sure to back up important files before attempting this.
Other Changes in the November 25 Beta
The shift to 64-bit wasn’t the only change in this beta update. Valve also added expanded Steam Input support for new hardware including Nintendo Switch 2 controllers and GameCube adapters operating in Wii U mode with rumble functionality. These additions suggest Valve continues improving controller compatibility even for unreleased hardware, likely based on developer kits and early access units.
The update also fixed Game Recording failures on specific NVIDIA GPUs and resolved a configurator crash related to previewing game profiles. General stability improvements round out the patch, addressing various edge cases and bugs reported by beta users over previous versions. These incremental improvements might not grab headlines but they make the platform more reliable for everyone.
The Broader Context
Steam’s move to 64-bit mirrors similar transitions happening across the software industry. Apple completely dropped 32-bit app support in macOS Catalina back in 2019. Microsoft has been pushing users toward 64-bit Windows for over a decade, with Windows 11 requiring 64-bit from the start with no 32-bit version available at all. Even mobile platforms made this jump years ago, with iOS going 64-bit only in 2017.
The gaming industry specifically has been 64-bit native for years. Major game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity have been 64-bit for multiple versions. AAA games routinely require 64-bit operating systems. The fact that Steam itself remained 32-bit for so long was actually unusual, likely a holdover from when the platform launched in 2003 when 64-bit Windows XP was brand new and rarely used.
Valve has been modernizing Steam’s technical foundation across the board lately. The company shipped a complete UI overhaul earlier this year, rebuilt the library interface multiple times, and continues expanding Steam Deck compatibility through Proton. The move to 64-bit on Windows represents another piece of technical debt being addressed to ensure the platform can continue evolving for another two decades.
FAQs
When does Steam drop 32-bit Windows support?
Steam will stop supporting 32-bit versions of Windows on January 1, 2026. Systems running 32-bit Windows will continue receiving updates for the legacy client until that date, after which the client will freeze and eventually stop functioning as backend systems evolve beyond compatibility.
Will my 32-bit games still work on Steam?
Yes, 32-bit games will continue working perfectly on 64-bit versions of Windows through Steam. This change only affects the Steam client application itself, not the games in your library. Windows maintains compatibility layers for running legacy 32-bit software indefinitely.
How do I check if I’m running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
Open Settings, go to System, then About. Under Device Specifications, look for System Type. It will say either “64-bit operating system” or “32-bit operating system.” If you see x64-based processor with 32-bit OS, your hardware can run 64-bit but you’re using a 32-bit installation.
Can I upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows?
You cannot directly upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows. You must perform a clean installation with the 64-bit version, which wipes your drive. Make sure to back up all important files before attempting this. Your hardware must support 64-bit architecture, which virtually all computers from the last 15 years do.
Why did Steam stay 32-bit for so long?
Steam launched in 2003 when 64-bit Windows was brand new and rarely used. Maintaining the 32-bit version ensured maximum compatibility with older systems. However, core features now rely on system drivers and libraries that don’t support 32-bit Windows, making the transition necessary for continued platform development.
How many Steam users are affected by this change?
According to Steam’s Hardware Survey, only 0.01% of users run 32-bit operating systems. That’s approximately one in ten thousand users. The actual number is even smaller since that 0.01% includes 64-bit versions of older Windows like 8, 8.1, and XP alongside 32-bit Windows 10.
When will the 64-bit Steam client leave beta?
Valve hasn’t announced a specific timeline for moving the 64-bit client out of beta. Based on typical beta cycles, expect a stable release within a few weeks to a couple months. The transition should be seamless, with the 64-bit version installing in the same directory with all settings and games intact.
What benefits does 64-bit Steam provide?
Running natively in 64-bit removes the WOW64 compatibility layer overhead, improves performance, eliminates the 4GB RAM limitation, and enables access to modern system drivers and libraries that don’t support 32-bit. This allows Valve to implement advanced features without architectural constraints.
Does this affect Steam on Linux or Mac?
This announcement specifically addresses Windows. Steam on macOS has been 64-bit for years since Apple dropped 32-bit app support in macOS Catalina in 2019. Linux Steam client remains a separate matter with its own architectural considerations and development timeline.
What This Really Means
Steam’s transition to 64-bit marks the end of a transitional period that’s lasted nearly two decades. When 64-bit processors first appeared in consumer computers around 2003-2004, the software ecosystem took years to catch up. Operating systems, applications, and games gradually migrated from 32-bit to 64-bit throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, but many held onto 32-bit compatibility far longer than necessary out of caution. Now in 2025, the industry has finally reached consensus that 32-bit is truly legacy technology affecting virtually nobody. For the 99.99% of Steam users on 64-bit Windows, this change brings performance improvements and paves the way for future features without legacy baggage. For the 0.01% still on 32-bit systems, it’s a clear signal that the time to upgrade passed years ago and the grace period officially ends January 1, 2026. Sometimes progress requires leaving the past behind, and after 20+ years, it’s hard to argue that 32-bit Windows hasn’t had a good run.