Steam Drops Support for Older Operating Systems, Citing Security Risks

san Francisco, CA – valve is phasing out support for older operating systems to bolster security and maintain software compatibility, a move impacting users still running outdated platforms. The gaming giant announced the decision, aligning with industry-wide trends prioritizing modern OS security features.

the change means Steam will no longer guarantee full functionality on unsupported operating systems, leaving users vulnerable to potential exploits and malware. While Valve hasn’t specified exact OS versions being dropped, the move echoes Apple’s decision to end security updates for macOS Big Sur in 2023.

“As security threats evolve, maintaining compatibility with older systems becomes increasingly challenging,” explains a Valve spokesperson. “Modern operating systems offer critical security enhancements that are essential for protecting our users and their accounts.”

Why This Matters: A Growing Trend in Software Security

This isn’t an isolated incident. The software industry is increasingly focused on supporting only the latest operating systems. This shift is driven by several factors:

Evolving Threat Landscape: Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, targeting vulnerabilities in older, unpatched systems.
Security Patching: Maintaining security for older OS versions requires significant resources, diverting attention from developing protections for current platforms.
Modern Features: Newer operating systems often include built-in security features that are simply unavailable on older versions.
Software Compatibility: Modern software often relies on features and APIs only found in newer OS versions.

What Does This Mean for Steam Users?

Users running unsupported operating systems may experiance:

Reduced Functionality: Games may not launch or run correctly. security Vulnerabilities: Increased risk of malware infection and account compromise.* Limited Access to Updates: Steam client and game updates may not install properly.

Valve strongly encourages users to upgrade to a supported operating system to continue enjoying a secure and reliable gaming experience. the company emphasizes that maintaining a secure platform is paramount to protecting both Steam accounts and user data. This decision, while potentially disruptive for some, underscores the growing importance of proactive security measures in the digital age.

What are the potential security risks of continuing to use Steam on an unsupported operating system like macOS big Sur?

Steam on macOS Big Sur: Valve Announces End of Support

Understanding the Discontinuation

Valve has officially announced the end of support for Steam on macOS Big Sur (version 11). This decision impacts users still running this older operating system and necessitates action to continue enjoying their Steam games and the Steam platform. the change went into effect with the release of Steam Client Maintenance Update on August 7th, 2025.

Why Big Sur?

The decision wasn’t arbitrary. macOS Big Sur reached its end-of-life for security updates from Apple in September 2024. Continuing support for an unsupported OS introduces significant security risks for both Valve and its users. Maintaining compatibility with outdated systems diverts resources from improving the Steam experience on actively supported platforms like macOS Sonoma and newer.

Impact on Steam Users

This announcement directly affects gamers who haven’t upgraded from macOS Big Sur. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Steam Client Functionality: The Steam client will likely become increasingly unstable and may eventually cease to function altogether.

Game Compatibility: While some games may continue to run, compatibility is not guaranteed and will likely degrade over time.Expect potential crashes, graphical glitches, and performance issues.

Updates & New Releases: You will no longer receive updates for the Steam client itself, nor will you be able to download or play new games released on the platform.

Online Features: Access to online multiplayer, cloud saves, and the Steam Community may be disrupted or unavailable.

Available Solutions: Keeping your Steam Library Accessible

Fortunately, several options exist for continuing to use Steam and your existing game library.

1.Upgrade Your macOS Version

This is the recommended solution. Upgrading to a supported macOS version – currently macOS Sonoma or later – ensures continued compatibility with Steam and access to the latest features and security updates.

Check Compatibility: Before upgrading, verify that your Mac hardware meets the system requirements for the latest macOS version. Apple provides detailed compatibility lists on their support website.

Backup Your Data: Always back up your crucial files before performing a major OS upgrade.Time Machine is a convenient option for macOS users.

clean Installation (Recommended): For optimal performance, consider performing a clean installation of the new macOS version. This involves erasing your hard drive and reinstalling the operating system.

Choose a Distribution: Popular choices include Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, and Manjaro.

Install Steam: Follow the instructions for installing Steam on your chosen Linux distribution.

Enable Proton: Within Steam settings, enable Steam play and select a compatible Proton version.

Game Compatibility: Proton compatibility varies by game. Check ProtonDB (https://www.protondb.com/) for user reports on specific titles.

VM Software: Popular options include Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion.

Windows License: You will need a valid Windows license to activate the VM.

Performance Impact: Running a VM can substantially impact system performance, especially for graphically demanding games.

Steam Deck as an Alternative

The Steam Deck offers a portable and self-contained gaming solution, bypassing the need for macOS compatibility altogether. If you primarily want to play your Steam library on the go, the Steam Deck is a compelling alternative.

Benefits of the Steam Deck:

Dedicated Gaming Hardware: Optimized for gaming performance.

SteamOS: Runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed for gaming.

Portability: Play your games anywhere.