After more than two decades as the backbone of PC gaming, Steam has taken a significant technical step forward. Valve has confirmed that the Steam client is now fully 64-bit on Windows, marking a long-anticipated shift that aligns the platform with modern operating systems and hardware.
Launched in 2003, Steam initially faced strong resistance from PC players who were wary of mandatory online activation and digital distribution. Over time, however, the platform won users over by expanding beyond a simple storefront.
Steam evolved into a full ecosystem that combines game purchasing, library management, social features, mod distribution, and controller support under one roof. That broader vision helped it become the dominant force in PC game distribution, far outpacing rivals such as Epic Games and Microsoft’s Xbox services on PC.
Today, more than 90 percent of Steam users access the platform on Windows, and Steam regularly records over 100 million monthly active users across all supported operating systems. With that scale, technical updates to the client have a significant and far-reaching impact.
The December update completes Steam’s move to a 64-bit client on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems running 64-bit versions of the OS. Valve states that users still running 32-bit Windows will continue to receive updates until January 1, 2026, after which support will cease.
The transition brings several practical benefits. A 64-bit client enables Steam to utilise more system memory, enhancing stability and reducing the likelihood of crashes in large libraries or during intensive multitasking. It also provides a more robust foundation for future updates, enabling Valve to build new features and performance improvements without being constrained by older architecture.
The update goes beyond the 64-bit shift. Steam’s Friends and Chat system has received long-requested enhancements, including the ability to report suspicious or harassing messages directly from within chat windows. Valve has also addressed bugs affecting Big Picture Mode and Remote Play, alongside a range of general fixes and quality-of-life improvements.
Controller support is another area that saw notable updates. Steam Input now supports Nintendo Switch 2 controllers over USB on Windows, as well as GameCube controller adapters operating in Wii U mode with rumble functionality. Valve also refined gyro controls and resolved pairing and configuration issues affecting several high-end controllers, including DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite, and Nintendo Joy-Con models.
While the 64-bit transition may not be immediately visible to users, it represents an important modernisation milestone for Steam. As PC games and hardware continue to grow more demanding, the update ensures that Valve’s platform remains technically prepared to support the next generation of PC gaming.
