Valve has shipped a long-awaited change to the Steam client on Windows. As of the December update, Steam now runs as a fully 64-bit application on supported systems, ending years of partial 32-bit support and aligning the client with modern Windows environments.
The change applies to 64-bit installations of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Systems still running 32-bit Windows are not cut off immediately, but Valve has set a clear end date for support.
What changed?
The Windows version of the Steam client is now fully 64-bit. Previously, parts of the client remained 32-bit even on 64-bit systems, a legacy setup that limited how much …
Valve has shipped a long-awaited change to the Steam client on Windows. As of the December update, Steam now runs as a fully 64-bit application on supported systems, ending years of partial 32-bit support and aligning the client with modern Windows environments.
The change applies to 64-bit installations of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Systems still running 32-bit Windows are not cut off immediately, but Valve has set a clear end date for support.
What changed?
The Windows version of the Steam client is now fully 64-bit. Previously, parts of the client remained 32-bit even on 64-bit systems, a legacy setup that limited how much memory the application could efficiently use and constrained future development.
With this update, Steam matches the architecture already used on other platforms and removes a technical ceiling that has existed for years.
Who is affected by the update?
Most Steam users are on Windows, and the majority of those systems already run a 64-bit version of the operating system. For these users, no action is required. Steam updates automatically and continues to function as normal.
Users still on 32-bit Windows should take note of Valve’s timeline. Steam will continue to receive updates on 32-bit Windows only until January 1, 2026. After that date, the client will no longer be supported on those systems.
Valve has not announced any extensions or exceptions to this cutoff.
Why does it matter?
The benefits of a 64-bit client are practical rather than dramatic. Steam is not suddenly faster across the board, and Valve has not claimed large performance gains.
What changes is the foundation. A 64-bit application can access more system memory, handle larger workloads more reliably, and avoid certain stability issues that affect long-running processes. For a client that manages game downloads, overlays, chat, input devices, and background services, that headroom matters.
More importantly, the shift removes limitations that complicate future updates. Features that would have been awkward or impossible under mixed 32-bit support can now be developed without legacy constraints.
Other notable fixes in the December update
The 64-bit transition is the headline change, but it is not the only one included in the update.
Steam Friends and Chat now allow users to report suspicious or harassing messages directly from within chat windows. This closes a long-standing gap where moderation actions required navigating away from the conversation.
Valve also addressed a set of issues affecting Big Picture Mode and Remote Play, improving reliability in scenarios that are sensitive to client crashes or memory limits.
Controller support saw several additions and fixes. Steam Input now supports Nintendo Switch 2 controllers over USB on Windows, along with GameCube adapters operating in Wii U mode with rumble support. The update also resolves pairing and configuration problems affecting DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite, and Nintendo Joy-Con controllers.
These changes are incremental, but they target areas where Steam functions as infrastructure rather than a simple storefront.
What users should do now?
For users on Windows 10 or Windows 11 with a 64-bit installation, there is nothing to configure. The update installs automatically and runs in the background.
Users still on 32-bit Windows should treat the January 1, 2026 cutoff as a firm deadline. Continuing to use Steam beyond that point will require moving to a 64-bit version of Windows, as Valve has not indicated plans to maintain legacy builds.
The December update does not change Steam’s system requirements for games themselves, but it does signal a broader move away from older platforms.
Summary
Article Name
Steam’s December update moves the Windows client fully to 64-bit
Description
Valve has moved the Steam client on Windows fully to 64-bit with its December update, ending years of partial legacy support. The change improves stability and sets a clear cutoff date of January 1, 2026 for 32-bit Windows systems.
Author
Arthur K
Publisher
Ghacks Technology News
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