Steam Launcher not working on Windows 7?

[Button Eyes]

For the last 2 weeks, I've been unable to get my Steam Launcher to work properly on my Win7 desktop PC. The launcher opens, but connection to Friends network always fails. Other tabs load very poorly, broken texts and all, but it works fine on my Mozilla browser.

What causes this? Did a recent update broke Steam's support to Win7, or what?

[Rainbow Dash]

Sorry, did not see it, as text wall was far too grand for me to see past it.

[Gari]

The thread is kinda old. In the mean time i learned a lot about the whole root certification expiration problem. Had you opened a new thread I would have likely put down a different instruction basically.

Yes thread is old so someone need to open new one with first instructions all about we know how to fix, then other things.
PS; i'm bad at english so can you do that please :)

These are the ones you need, though you need to install them manually:

https://www.digicert.com/kb/digicert-root-certificates.htm
Baltimore CyberTrust Root CA
DigiCert Global Root CA
DigiCert High Assurance EV Root CA

and from here https://letsencrypt.org/certificates/:
ISRG Root X1

After you managed to do that, things should be fixed. If they are not, just keep telling people.
---

I try this and web errors still exist, early problem was friend list and chat ( friends network unreachable ) then store and web browsing on google crome and steam web browsing, how work steam friend list (online) steam store but browsing work bad

[lewy🎮]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Insignia:

Your entire computer is vulnerable. Not sure why people are still using windows 7 when it's not supported anymore. I sure hope you don't have any personal information stored on it. (Taxes, bank, ect.)

Hi windows 7 is really dangerous for local bank transfer or paying some??
My friend has used windows 7 all times without problems till dead on Covid this month:(

[Button Eyes]

Strangely, the issue is kinda fixed now. I can browse pages from the Steam launcher, in fact I am replying using my Win7 PC. However the friends network is still unreachable, but no biggie since I don't usually chat while gaming.

[Elucidator]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Gari:

I try this and errors still exist, early problem was friend list and chat ( friends network unreachable ) then store and web browsing on google crome and steam web browsing, how work steam friend list (online) steam store but browsing work bad

I have trouble understanding what this says to be honest.
If browsing is the problem, did you try firefox? Firefox has their own trust store, so it doesn't rely on windows 7's trust store. (Firefox doesn't need those ssl root certificates, since it has its own)

Początkowo opublikowane przez darkmasa:

Hi windows 7 is really dangerous for local bank transfer or paying some??
My friend has used windows 7 all times without problems till dead on Covid this month:(

Sorry for your loss.
No, windows 7 isn't what secures your internet, bank, payment stuff, etc.
What secures it is an up to date browser and proper ssl encryption, as well as a strong password, 2 factor auth, etc. and obviously your own behavior.
If you don't trust the background programs on your system, download malwarebytes or some other anti virus software, scan, and behold. No virusses found,means likely no problems and no risks either, so long you don't connect to your bank or to steam through a phishing website or scam site.
In other words, its as safe as it is on windows 10 or windows 11.

Początkowo opublikowane przez Button Eyes:

Strangely, the issue is kinda fixed now. I can browse pages from the Steam launcher, in fact I am replying using my Win7 PC. However the friends network is still unreachable, but no biggie since I don't usually chat while gaming.

Maybe there is more going on then just those missing SSL certificates.

[Button Eyes]

Yea, maybe the friends network use different certificates? I didn't change anything btw since I first made the post.

[Elucidator]

The only certifications you'd normally need are
Baltimore CyberTrust Root CA
DigiCert Global Root CA
DigiCert High Assurance EV Root CA
and Let's encrypt's ISRG Root X1

The SSL cert problem started with DST Root CA X3, which expired. It was used as root cert for many intermediate and end certs, that would eventually be used to establish the encrypted network connection.
(normally this cert would be used to sign a new root CA cert, but windows 7 didn't receive any updates for a long while, so the new root CA cert never came) (this is why you'd need to install it manually instead)

If it really is SSL related, and Steam Friends and Chat won't get connected, then it has to be a different root cert that signs it, but from what I understand is that Steam attempted to make the process easier by using a different (one that is more common) intermediate cert.
e.e;
kinda sounds like it got harder now instead.
I can't see which cert steam friends uses (unless I use an external browser to login to steam). I am also not sure if it is region (location I mean) related

You can at least get a hint by clicking on the 'lock' icon basically.
(maybe you can check it yourself)

edit: the lock icon is next to the address bar in the browser. (next to https:// etc.)
(yes I suspect that if you live elsewhere, that maybe a different root ca cert is used to sign stuff)
(that is why I am basically asking you to try to find out what certs steam tries to use yourself)

[blissfultea]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Gari:

I found this video...i try it and he fix problems with chat and friend list (finally online) but browsing dont work, its not perfect but it is little help..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDgBm-cunno

Very late reply but I just want to say that this is what helped me fix my Friends Network Unreachable error as well as my Steam front page not loading images. This whole thread is very informative as well. Many thanks!

[MrPEPE (NYR) ヽ(´ー｀)ノ]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Insignia:

Your entire computer is vulnerable. Not sure why people are still using windows 7 when it's not supported anymore. I sure hope you don't have any personal information stored on it. (Taxes, bank, ect.)

Useless comment & not helpful whatsoever. Enjoy rooted windows 10 average joe, cheers!

[MrPEPE (NYR) ヽ(´ー｀)ノ]

@Gari ; @Elucidator

Just wanted to say a sincere & many thanks - my steam is finally fixed after a year thanks to both your detailed and thorough answers+ followup! Installed around 20 of the mentioned certificates and its finally working!

PS: Am running fresh clean install of Windows 7 Enterprise here so it looks like the inherited settings from XP migrations are not the issue, probably just the fact of windowsroot CA's expiring.

Początkowo opublikowane przez Elucidator:

The only certifications you'd normally need are
Baltimore CyberTrust Root CA
DigiCert Global Root CA
DigiCert High Assurance EV Root CA
and Let's encrypt's ISRG Root X1

The SSL cert problem started with DST Root CA X3, which expired. It was used as root cert for many intermediate and end certs, that would eventually be used to establish the encrypted network connection.
(normally this cert would be used to sign a new root CA cert, but windows 7 didn't receive any updates for a long while, so the new root CA cert never came) (this is why you'd need to install it manually instead)

If it really is SSL related, and Steam Friends and Chat won't get connected, then it has to be a different root cert that signs it, but from what I understand is that Steam attempted to make the process easier by using a different (one that is more common) intermediate cert.
e.e;
kinda sounds like it got harder now instead.
I can't see which cert steam friends uses (unless I use an external browser to login to steam). I am also not sure if it is region (location I mean) related

You can at least get a hint by clicking on the 'lock' icon basically.
(maybe you can check it yourself)

edit: the lock icon is next to the address bar in the browser. (next to https:// etc.)
(yes I suspect that if you live elsewhere, that maybe a different root ca cert is used to sign stuff)
(that is why I am basically asking you to try to find out what certs steam tries to use yourself)

Początkowo opublikowane przez Gari:

The thread is kinda old. In the mean time i learned a lot about the whole root certification expiration problem. Had you opened a new thread I would have likely put down a different instruction basically.

Yes thread is old so someone need to open new one with first instructions all about we know how to fix, then other things.
PS; i'm bad at english so can you do that please :)

These are the ones you need, though you need to install them manually:

https://www.digicert.com/kb/digicert-root-certificates.htm
Baltimore CyberTrust Root CA
DigiCert Global Root CA
DigiCert High Assurance EV Root CA

and from here https://letsencrypt.org/certificates/:
ISRG Root X1

After you managed to do that, things should be fixed. If they are not, just keep telling people.
---

I try this and web errors still exist, early problem was friend list and chat ( friends network unreachable ) then store and web browsing on google crome and steam web browsing, how work steam friend list (online) steam store but browsing work bad

[tyl0413]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Insignia:

Your entire computer is vulnerable. Not sure why people are still using windows 7 when it's not supported anymore. I sure hope you don't have any personal information stored on it. (Taxes, bank, ect.)

I bet you use stock W10+, own a modern phone with stock software, use google/facebook/tiktok, and click allow/accept/continue on everything that pops up and input your real personal information to every site and service reusing the same singular email/phone/password and no 2FA and think the updates and the antivirus that just installs more spyware will protect you from yourself, at least don't talk about ♥♥♥♥ you know nothing about.

[lewy🎮]

more new games works only with windows 10, but if you use win 7 you must install minimum net framework 4.5.2 - 4.7 2 installer or later from official site, maybe can help

[Gari]

Początkowo opublikowane przez MrPEPE (NYR) ヽ(´ー｀)ノ:

@Gari ; @Elucidator

Just wanted to say a sincere & many thanks - my steam is finally fixed after a year thanks to both your detailed and thorough answers+ followup! Installed around 20 of the mentioned certificates and its finally working!

I'm glad I/we helped :D we all know how it feels when something breaks and it just won't to work :/