Valve dropped a significant Steam Client update on December 19, 2025, marking the long-awaited transition to 64-bit architecture for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. The update represents a major milestone in Steam’s evolution while simultaneously beginning the end-of-life countdown for 32-bit Windows support, which officially terminates on January 1, 2026.
Beyond the architectural shift, the update packs fixes for Game Recording issues with NVIDIA’s latest 50xx series GPUs, improvements to Steam Input’s gyro controls, chat reporting features, and Remote Play touch control problems. While these changes might seem technical, they collectively improve performance, security, and usability across the platform.
The Big Shift to 64-Bit
The headline feature is simple but consequential: Steam is now a 64-bit application on Windows 11 and Windows 10 64-bit systems. This transition brings immediate performance benefits including better memory management, improved security features, and access to modern system libraries that 32-bit applications can’t utilize. For most users with reasonably modern PCs, this happens automatically in the background without requiring any action.
The move to 64-bit was telegraphed months ago when Valve announced in September that 32-bit Windows support would end on January 1, 2026. At the time, Valve noted that Windows 10 32-bit represented just 0.01 percent of systems reported through the Steam Hardware Survey. That minuscule user base made the business case for dropping support straightforward.
Users still running 32-bit versions of Windows 10 will continue receiving updates to the 32-bit Steam client until the January 1 deadline. After that date, existing installations will keep functioning in the near term, but they’ll stop receiving any updates whatsoever, including critical security patches. Steam Support will also be unable to provide technical assistance for issues on unsupported operating systems.
Valve emphasized the necessity of this change, explaining that core features in modern Steam rely on system drivers and libraries that simply aren’t available on 32-bit Windows versions. The company strongly encouraged the tiny percentage of affected users to upgrade to 64-bit Windows sooner rather than later. For anyone still on 32-bit Windows with a 64-bit capable processor, which is most systems from the last 15 years, the upgrade path is straightforward.
NVIDIA 50xx Users Can Finally Export Recordings
One of the most frustrating issues addressed in this update affects early adopters of NVIDIA’s latest 50xx series GPUs. Users with these cutting-edge graphics cards experienced errors when trying to copy clips to the clipboard or export H.265 video files using Steam’s Game Recording feature. Given that H.265 offers superior compression and quality compared to H.264, the inability to use it was a significant pain point.
The problem stemmed from compatibility issues between Steam’s recording implementation and the new encoder architecture in NVIDIA’s 50xx cards. Users reported that exporting footage that was previously nearly instant with their older RTX 4080 suddenly took ages with the RTX 5090, or failed entirely. Some frustrated gamers joked about plugging their old RTX 2070 Super cards back in just to export clips properly.
This December 19 update specifically fixes those H.265 export errors for NVIDIA 50xx systems, restoring the fast, high-quality recording workflow that made Steam’s Game Recording feature so popular when it launched. The feature has become essential for content creators and streamers who want to capture gameplay without running separate recording software like OBS.
Other Recording and Chat Improvements
Beyond the NVIDIA fix, the Friends and Chat system received quality-of-life updates focused on safety and moderation. Users can now directly report suspicious or harassing group chat messages from the chat window itself, streamlining the process of dealing with problematic behavior. The update also adds options to block or unfriend another user while submitting a report, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple menus.
These changes reflect Valve’s ongoing efforts to combat harassment and improve community safety across Steam’s social features. Direct reporting from chat makes it more likely that users will actually report problems rather than just leaving toxic conversations, giving Valve better data to identify and address repeat offenders.
Steam Input Gets Gyro Refinements
Controller enthusiasts and gyro control advocates scored several wins in this update. Steam Input, Valve’s powerful but sometimes finicky controller configuration system, received meaningful improvements to gyro functionality and overall stability. The newer gyro modes that were previously in beta have been promoted to default settings, though users with older configurations can still access legacy options by enabling Steam Input developer mode.
Key changes include the ability to select whether Any or All activation buttons are needed to enable, suppress, or toggle gyro when multiple buttons are configured. This granular control matters for complex configurations where players want gyro aim activated only under specific circumstances. The update also separates Gyro Haptic On Off effects from Gyro Haptic Rotation effects, giving more precise control over controller vibration feedback.
New toggles for Relative Roll and Relative Pitch appeared in Gyro to Joystick Deflection Mode, though these options are restricted to configurations that have a selected Gyro Activation Button. The desktop configurator also received stability improvements, fixing an issue where it could close unexpectedly when previewing configurations.
Controller compatibility got attention too. The update adjusted DualSense Create and Options button glyphs for better recognition, and fixed incorrect configuration selection for DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite, and Nintendo Joy-Con controllers when used in paired mode. A longstanding bug where Gyro to Joystick Deflection Lock Extents wasn’t functioning correctly also got resolved.
These improvements matter because Steam Input represents one of PC gaming’s most powerful but underutilized features. When configured properly, it lets players use virtually any controller with any game while customizing every aspect of how inputs work. Gyro aiming in particular has passionate advocates who swear it bridges the gap between controller comfort and mouse precision, making these refinements significant for that community.
Remote Play and Big Picture Fixes
Remote Play users who experienced frustration with mouse cursor behavior got relief in this update. The patch fixes an issue preventing the mouse from moving to another monitor when using touch controls on the Steam Link app. This specific problem affected users with multi-monitor setups who relied on touch input rather than traditional mouse and keyboard, creating awkward workflow interruptions.
Big Picture Mode, Steam’s controller-friendly interface designed for couch gaming, received a fix for intermittent in-game purchase failures affecting some titles. While Valve didn’t specify which games were impacted, the issue presumably caused headaches for players trying to buy DLC or in-game currency while using Big Picture’s streamlined interface.
A more obscure but important fix addresses an issue where non-Steam browser windows could be created unintentionally when steamwebhelper restarted. For most users, this manifested as mysterious browser windows appearing seemingly at random, cluttering up taskbars and causing confusion about whether they were legitimate or potentially malicious.
What This Means for Steam’s Future
The transition to 64-bit represents more than just a performance upgrade. It signals Valve’s commitment to modernizing Steam’s foundation to support increasingly demanding features and better security practices. The 64-bit architecture allows Steam to access more than 4GB of RAM if needed, handle larger game libraries more efficiently, and integrate with modern operating system security features that 32-bit applications simply can’t use.
This update continues Valve’s pattern of steady, incremental improvements to Steam rather than flashy feature drops. Over the past year, the platform has received redesigned store pages optimized for larger monitors, improved accessibility options for SteamOS and Big Picture Mode, expanded controller support, and refinements to the Game Recording system that launched to compete with built-in GPU capture tools from NVIDIA and AMD.
The January 1, 2026 deadline for 32-bit support marks a clean break with legacy systems, allowing Valve’s development team to focus resources on features and optimizations for modern hardware. While a tiny fraction of users on ancient systems will be left behind, the overwhelming majority benefits from a more secure, performant, and maintainable client.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Steam become 64-bit?
Steam transitioned to 64-bit architecture for Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 users on December 19, 2025. The update happens automatically for all users running 64-bit versions of Windows. The change brings performance improvements, better memory management, and enhanced security features.
What happens to 32-bit Steam after January 1, 2026?
After January 1, 2026, 32-bit Steam installations will continue functioning in the near term but will no longer receive updates of any kind, including critical security patches. Steam Support will also be unable to provide technical assistance for issues on unsupported operating systems. Valve strongly recommends that the tiny percentage of 32-bit Windows users upgrade to 64-bit versions.
Does the 64-bit update affect my games?
No, 32-bit games will continue to run normally on 64-bit Steam clients. The architectural change only affects the Steam client itself, not the games in your library. Both 32-bit and 64-bit games will work exactly as they did before the update.
What was fixed for NVIDIA 50xx series GPUs?
The December 19 update fixed errors when copying clips to the clipboard or exporting H.265 video files on systems using NVIDIA 50xx series graphics cards. This resolved a major issue where Game Recording exports that were previously instant suddenly failed or took extremely long with the latest GPU generation.
What changed with Steam Input gyro controls?
Steam Input received several gyro improvements including the ability to select Any or All button activation behavior, separated Gyro Haptic On Off from Rotation effects, new Relative Roll and Relative Pitch toggles in Gyro to Joystick Deflection Mode, and fixes for DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite, and Joy-Con controller configurations.
How do I know if I’m running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then System, then About. Look for System Type which will say either 32-bit operating system or 64-bit operating system. If you’re on 64-bit, the Steam update will apply automatically. If you’re on 32-bit, you have until January 1, 2026 to upgrade before losing Steam support.
Can I still report harassing messages in group chats?
Yes, the update makes this easier. You can now directly report suspicious or harassing group chat messages from the chat window itself, with options to block or unfriend the user while submitting your report. This streamlines the process and removes the need to navigate through multiple menus.
A Necessary Evolution
Valve’s December 19 Steam update represents necessary housekeeping that keeps the platform competitive and secure. The transition to 64-bit Windows architecture was inevitable given how few users remained on 32-bit systems, and the performance benefits justify any minor compatibility headaches for that 0.01 percent of affected users.
The NVIDIA 50xx recording fix alone makes this update significant for early adopters of cutting-edge hardware who were frustrated by broken export functionality. Combined with the gyro control refinements, chat safety improvements, and Remote Play fixes, this patch touches multiple aspects of the Steam experience without requiring users to learn new interfaces or adapt to dramatic changes.
That’s increasingly how Steam evolves now. Valve makes steady, iterative improvements rather than disruptive overhauls, keeping the platform modern without alienating users comfortable with existing workflows. As we head into 2026, Steam’s foundation looks stronger than ever, ready to support whatever features and innovations Valve has planned for the world’s dominant PC gaming platform.