Steam, Windows 7 - 2025

[Master.Constructor]

We're almost finished 2024 and we've had several Steam client updates as well as Windows 7 updates via UpdatePack7. So far Windows 7 seems to be running well and will carry me into 2025 at the very least.

I've been running Windows 7 since transitioning from XP after bypassing (and watching the fallout from) Vista. So far so good aside from DirectX12 and some driver restrictions.

I closely followed the roll-out of Win8, 8.1 and 10 waiting for a good time to transition to a newer OS, testing a few other options while I've been waiting (Linux, Windows Server, Tiny/Lite Windows). So far I haven't found anything that seems to worth the effort or privacy risks / compromise.

Windows 7 SP2/3?

In 2021 I found UpdatePack7 which is a monthly security pack for all editions of Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008R2 (seems to be in development since 2013) and have had very good results with it. There is a small ~1MB downloader program (v1.5.0.0) which will download and/or verify the update pack (~800MB). The latest release was three days ago (24.6.12) and no issues to report. It's a significant saving of bandwidth, time and drive space and I am very grateful for it's consistent and diligent development. It is essentially the SP3 that Win7 users were always waiting for.

If you're having issues on Windows 7 SP1, try running the following from CMD (as administrator) and post your results here.
chkdsk
sfc /verifyonly

Hint:
I find starting Steam offline is much faster and smoother. Here's my steps to starting Steam Offline:
1 - edit the file loginusers.vdf
... mine was located here: \Steam\config\loginusers.vdf
2 - change "WantsOfflineMode" from 0 to 1
3 - save and set file [Properties] to [Read-only]
4 - start steam to check

Also, to remove the red banner at the top I added this to my steam.exe shortcut:
-pretendeol-w10


Updates
=======
UpdatePack7 25.4.10 (Windows 6.1.7601.27666)
- Added KB5055561-x64 with disabling telemetry and checking processors (replaces KB5053620-x64)
- Added KB5056456-x64 (replaces KB5050681-x64)

UpdatePack7 25.3.12 (Windows 6.1.7601.27615)
UpdatePack7 25.2.12 (Windows 6.1.7601.27566)
UpdatePack7 25.1.15 (Windows 6.1.7601.27520)
UpdatePack7 24.12.12 (Windows 6.1.7601.27412)

Steam Beta Branch: Stable Client
Steam Version: 1730853000
Steam Client Build Date: Thu, Nov 7 7:55 PM UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date: Wed, Oct 9 5:44 PM UTC -08:00
Steam API Version: SteamClient021

- UpdatePack7 2024.10.10 (Windows 6.1.7601.27366)
- Steam Version: 1726604483 (Tue, Sep 17, 2024)

[Meatflaps]

Originally posted by bidulless:

i guess you prefer arguing with people

This is not an argument. There is nothing to argue about here at all. It very clearly says it's for the server version of Windows. Literally right there on the website using very plain and simple English lettering. Server means Server. Server DOES NOT mean normal versions of Windows 7. If Microsoft had intended this to be installed in normal versions of Windows 7 then they would of written Windows 7 on it and they also would of distributed the updates through Windows Update. They did not do any of that because it ain't supposed to be installed in Windows 7.

How is it that YOU don't understand this very simple thing?

[Master.Constructor]

If there is any confusion about updating Windows 7 please know that UpdatePack7 is designed to update any edition of Win7 SP1 or WinServer 2008 R2 (AKA Windows NT 6.1.7601).

The current UpdatePack7 (2024.9.10) will update the following system files to 6.1.7601.27317. You can check this info by right-clicking on the file, select -> [Properties], then select the tab -> [Details]

hal.dll
kernel32.dll
KernelBase.dll
ntfs.dll
ntfs.sys
shell32.dll
win32k.sys

The current Steam client on the current version of Windows 7 (6.1.7601.27317) seems to be reliable and working well:

Steam Version: 1726604483
Steam Client Build Date: Tue, Sep 17 5:03 PM UTC -08:00

Best of luck out there and please send feedback and questions if you have any.

[Meatflaps]

Originally posted by Master.Constructor:

If there is any confusion about updating Windows 7 please know that UpdatePack7 is designed to update any edition of Win7 SP1 or WinServer 2008 R2 (AKA Windows NT 6.1.7601).

The current UpdatePack7 (2024.9.10) will update the following system files to 6.1.7601.27317. You can check this info by right-clicking on the file, select -> [Properties], then select the tab -> [Details]

hal.dll
kernel32.dll
KernelBase.dll
ntfs.dll
ntfs.sys
shell32.dll
win32k.sys

The current Steam client on the current version of Windows 7 (6.1.7601.27317) seems to be reliable and working well:

Steam Version: 1726604483
Steam Client Build Date: Tue, Sep 17 5:03 PM UTC -08:00

Best of luck out there and please send feedback and questions if you have any.

Do note to anyone that finds this thread: !!!!! UpdatePack7 DOES NOT UPDATE WINDOWS 7 !!!!!

Nothing can update Windows 7 as there are no new updates for Windows 7. There will never be any new updates for Windows 7 released by Microsoft. Anyone claiming to have a new update for Windows 7 is lying.

UpdatePack7 is closed source and created by a stranger on the internet. No one knows what is actually inside of it.

[bidulless]

Originally posted by Meatflaps:

Originally posted by Master.Constructor:

If there is any confusion about updating Windows 7 please know that UpdatePack7 is designed to update any edition of Win7 SP1 or WinServer 2008 R2 (AKA Windows NT 6.1.7601).

The current UpdatePack7 (2024.9.10) will update the following system files to 6.1.7601.27317. You can check this info by right-clicking on the file, select -> [Properties], then select the tab -> [Details]

hal.dll
kernel32.dll
KernelBase.dll
ntfs.dll
ntfs.sys
shell32.dll
win32k.sys

The current Steam client on the current version of Windows 7 (6.1.7601.27317) seems to be reliable and working well:

Steam Version: 1726604483
Steam Client Build Date: Tue, Sep 17 5:03 PM UTC -08:00

Best of luck out there and please send feedback and questions if you have any.

Do note to anyone that finds this thread: !!!!! UpdatePack7 DOES NOT UPDATE WINDOWS 7 !!!!!

Nothing can update Windows 7 as there are no new updates for Windows 7. There will never be any new updates for Windows 7 released by Microsoft. Anyone claiming to have a new update for Windows 7 is lying.

UpdatePack7 is closed source and created by a stranger on the internet. No one knows what is actually inside of it.

hello

If update pack does not update windows 7 so why are you crying here ?

I personally made the test under my vm w7 during august , and guess what ?
This aio pack really updated my windows 7 ultimate , posted many screenshots of that also.

I understand that you clearly prefer watching a yt video rather than reading post and web link but keep in mind that "commenting on the daily weather won't make you a meteorologist" ... And precisely for something you havn't tryed ...

[Wolfpig]

Originally posted by MonkehMaster:

Originally posted by Wolfpig:

Apart from where those updates come... the real issue is still people believing that those updates would have any relevance for the Steam client.
If that stops working on win 7 then even some "win 7 updates" won't change that.

won't stop working on win 7 for years and years, heck xp still runs steam, vista can as well but takes a heck of a lot more work.

that said, no one said it has relevance to steam, the OP said it's about security....

If the thread is about win 7 "security" updates a mod should move it into off topic and rename it, as the current topic title implies that the thread is about steam on win 7.


And even if steam is running on win 7 still for years, that is only relevant for people who dont buy any New games or New hardware anymore.

[Meatflaps]

Originally posted by bidulless:

If update pack does not update windows 7 so why are you crying here ?

I'm here because Master.Constructor and other people in this thread are attempting to claim that there are updates for Windows 7 when there are not updates for Windows 7.

Originally posted by bidulless:

This aio pack really updated my windows 7 ultimate , posted many screenshots of that also.

You know that's not true when you wrote it and clicked the button. It can't possibly update Windows 7 because there is no update for Windows 7. You know that too. It's installing the wrong updates from the wrong version of windows. Yes you can install those updates (after you modify the updates to be installed in a way they never were intended to be installed).

I really don't understand what could possibly go through your mind to read "Windows Server" on the update and you think that means you can install it in any random version of Win7 that you feel like you want to. What is wrong with you? Do you know how to read English at all?

[MonkehMaster]

Originally posted by Wolfpig:

Originally posted by MonkehMaster:

won't stop working on win 7 for years and years, heck xp still runs steam, vista can as well but takes a heck of a lot more work.

that said, no one said it has relevance to steam, the OP said it's about security....

If the thread is about win 7 "security" updates a mod should move it into off topic and rename it, as the current topic title implies that the thread is about steam on win 7.


And even if steam is running on win 7 still for years, that is only relevant for people who dont buy any New games or New hardware anymore.

I see new games still supporting win 7, not to mention any saying 10 and up, likely still run on win 7, so im not sure were you came up with win 7 users not buying new games.

as for hardware, well plenty of "new" hardware runs on win 7.

heck, the soon to release, factorio dlc that's basically a game in itself, states win 7 being supported, even 8 and vista lol.

with that said, why would people buy games simply because they are "new", majority of "new" games are utter garbage imho, but also loads of people like those older games, or games made in older styles (example being pixel art games).

[bidulless]

Originally posted by Meatflaps:

Originally posted by bidulless:

If update pack does not update windows 7 so why are you crying here ?

I'm here because Master.Constructor and other people in this thread are attempting to claim that there are updates for Windows 7 when there are not updates for Windows 7.

Originally posted by bidulless:

This aio pack really updated my windows 7 ultimate , posted many screenshots of that also.

You know that's not true when you wrote it and clicked the button. It can't possibly update Windows 7 because there is no update for Windows 7. You know that too. It's installing the wrong updates from the wrong version of windows. Yes you can install those updates (after you modify the updates to be installed in a way they never were intended to be installed).

I really don't understand what could possibly go through your mind to read "Windows Server" on the update and you think that means you can install it in any random version of Win7 that you feel like you want to. What is wrong with you? Do you know how to read English at all?

hello


https://i.postimg.cc/zXKjr5Ws/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/7ZQbtJhw/1Capture.jpg
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5041838
rofl, bad luck, i still have the vm...
So if you have questions, feel free to ask, i will check this thread from time to time ( i've added diablo 3 as a non steam game in order to get the steam overlay while playing it xD )

[Meatflaps]

Originally posted by bidulless:

https://i.postimg.cc/zXKjr5Ws/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/7ZQbtJhw/1Capture.jpg
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5041838
rofl, bad luck, i still have the vm...
So if you have questions, feel free to ask, i will check this thread from time to time ( i've added diablo 3 as a non steam game in order to get the steam overlay while playing it xD )

You linked to the microsoft catalog website and it very clearly right there says Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Embedded Standard 7. It DOES NOT say Windows 7 for any of those updates that you just linked to. You showed us screenshots of where you installed the wrong updates into the wrong version of windows. It's weird that you think you're showing something good when in reality you're demonstrating that you didn't even read the microsoft catalog website at all.

I'm serious here: Do you actually not know how to read?

[bidulless]

Originally posted by Meatflaps:

Originally posted by bidulless:

https://i.postimg.cc/zXKjr5Ws/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/7ZQbtJhw/1Capture.jpg
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5041838
rofl, bad luck, i still have the vm...
So if you have questions, feel free to ask, i will check this thread from time to time ( i've added diablo 3 as a non steam game in order to get the steam overlay while playing it xD )

You linked to the microsoft catalog website and it very clearly right there says Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Embedded Standard 7. It DOES NOT say Windows 7 for any of those updates that you just linked to. You showed us screenshots of where you installed the wrong updates into the wrong version of windows. It's weird that you think you're showing something good when in reality you're demonstrating that you didn't even read the microsoft catalog website at all.

I'm serious here: Do you actually not know how to read?

hello
do you know what is sha256 ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2
so download the file for the 2008r2 and the one for the windows 7 embedded
Both files are STRICTLY the same and guess what, right click on any of them, and select "unzip here"
and compare structure folder and files : they are the same
inside the file you will find a pkg.properties files, open it with notepad and post us the content here plz, shouldn't be something very hard to do, even for you.

[Meatflaps]

Originally posted by bidulless:

do you know what is sha256 ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2
so download the file for the 2008r2 and the one for the windows 7 embedded
Both files are STRICTLY the same and guess what, right click on any of them, and select "unzip here"
and compare structure folder and files : they are the same
inside the file you will find a pkg.properties files, open it with notepad and post us the content here plz, shouldn't be something very hard to do, even for you.

I will use very simple, plain, English words for you:

THOSE UPDATES ARE NOT FOR NORMAL VERSIONS OF WINDOWS 7

Can you understand it this time? Can you read this? Are you able to read English?

[bidulless]

Originally posted by Meatflaps:

Originally posted by bidulless:

do you know what is sha256 ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2
so download the file for the 2008r2 and the one for the windows 7 embedded
Both files are STRICTLY the same and guess what, right click on any of them, and select "unzip here"
and compare structure folder and files : they are the same
inside the file you will find a pkg.properties files, open it with notepad and post us the content here plz, shouldn't be something very hard to do, even for you.

I will use very simple, plain, English words for you:

THOSE UPDATES ARE NOT FOR NORMAL VERSIONS OF WINDOWS 7

Can you understand it this time? Can you read this? Are you able to read English?

hello
cya so , i guess i've wasted too much of my precious time to teach you things xd

[MonkehMaster]

doesn't matter what version of windows, they work on kernel base nt 6.1 cause they are nt 6.1, end of story.

[NakiBest]

Right.

Downloading from Microsoft Windows Catalog online does not allow one to install any updates that cannot be installed on the OS used.

An error would show at once, and installation will halt.

If the manually downloaded updates can install fine, this means they are fit & proper for the Windows OS being used. :)

[bidulless]

Originally posted by NakiBest:

Right.

Downloading from Microsoft Windows Catalog online does not allow one to install any updates that cannot be installed on the OS used.

An error would show at once, and installation will halt.

If the manually downloaded updates can install fine, this means they are fit & proper for the Windows OS being used. :)

hello
to install it you need to unzip the file and use dism...this is exactly what the tool and it author have done and repackage them with a script that do that with nsis
It's just more convenient i guess than using a script for some