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)

[Amaterasu]

Master.Constructor původně napsal:

Amaterasu původně napsal:

That's only because you don't want to accept anything except the narrative you want to push.

Also threatening to put me on your block list? ...

It's not a threat but I think it's certainly a good idea.

A good idea would be to stop using UpdatePack 7 and stop trying to endorse piracy.

[Nebgama]

bidulless původně napsal:

hard to be a Nostramus as it really rely on what valve will push on the datas used by the client.Many things has allready been changed since last year like some rethink of many of the client/backend functions and more will surely come from time to time.

Its not going to be that complicated. The main reason Steam client lost support on Windows 7 is because of qt which is to do with UI so all that fancy UI that does not mean anything is the main reason.

Well its probably more than that internally like to many reasons holding the client back to continue support for an EOL client but i know qt is one of the major reason as its dead on 7 and UI issue will be the first issues to make ppl complain that are obvious broken issue to users.

Other Devs can work around that. The very worst case someone could easily make a wrapper for steamCMD and do it that way and it will be just that but with a UI.

This will never fail because SteamCMD is a command line and you need to download the binary to updated it, which means you will always have the most up to date version with all the features. The whole point to SteamCMD is so steam can run anywhere well not anywhere but i mean on systems windows based that struggle with a UI can use it.

Many of the social features would be lost doing that but it would still see user on OS earlier than 10 being able to log into steam and download an play games.

[Ben Lubar]

Steam is already programmed to not download updates that won't work on your computer. You don't need to do anything special to prevent it from updating. It will stop on its own when the next update is one that doesn't work on your OS.

[bidulless]

Ben Lubar původně napsal:

Steam is already programmed to not download updates that won't work on your computer. You don't need to do anything special to prevent it from updating. It will stop on its own when the next update is one that doesn't work on your OS.

hello
aye this is why people running the beta under windows 7 has been opt-out and the client downloaded the stable branch.

[Meatflaps]

Nebgama původně napsal:

for the 100th time if it states Windows server 2008 R2 in the KB article then it means that it can install on windows 7

That is not true. If Microsoft says the KB for that update is Windows Server then it should only be installed in Windows Server. If Microsoft says Windows Embedded Standard 7 then it should only be installed in Windows Embedded Standard 7. We end users do not get to install random updates in random operating systems. They should only be installed in the operating system that Microsoft says they belong in.

UpdatePack7 contains updates that are explicitly labeled ONLY for Windows Server and Windows Embedded Standard 7. Normally these updates would not be possible to install inside of Windows 7 on their own. UpdatePack7 allows these updates to be installed when they otherwise would never be possible to install without UpdatePack7. The latest updates inside of UpdatePack7 are not for Windows 7, not designed for Windows 7, and are not compatible with Windows 7.

There is not 1 single update released by Microsoft explicitly for "Windows 7" since Feb 2023. There are no recent updates for Windows 7 that could possibly be installed by UpdatePack7. It can't possibly update Windows 7 as there is no update for Windows 7 that exists. Literally does not exist at all.

UpdatePack7 claiming to have updates for Windows 7 is not actually updating anything. As I said before: It takes updates for Windows Server and Windows Embedded Standard 7 then MODIFIES the installer package to disable the operating system check and install those updates inside of Windows 7.

I write only true and factual information. None of my thoughts. None of my opinions. No conjecture. Only facts. It is a fact: UpdatePack7 does not update Windows 7.

[bidulless]

Meatflaps původně napsal:

Nebgama původně napsal:

for the 100th time if it states Windows server 2008 R2 in the KB article then it means that it can install on windows 7

That is not true. If Microsoft says the KB for that update is Windows Server then it should only be installed in Windows Server. If Microsoft says Windows Embedded Standard 7 then it should only be installed in Windows Embedded Standard 7. We end users do not get to install random updates in random operating systems. They should only be installed in the operating system that Microsoft says they belong in.

UpdatePack7 contains updates that are explicitly labeled ONLY for Windows Server and Windows Embedded Standard 7. Normally these updates would not be possible to install inside of Windows 7 on their own. UpdatePack7 allows these updates to be installed when they otherwise would never be possible to install without UpdatePack7. The latest updates inside of UpdatePack7 are not for Windows 7, not designed for Windows 7, and are not compatible with Windows 7.

There is not 1 single update released by Microsoft explicitly for "Windows 7" since Feb 2023. There are no recent updates for Windows 7 that could possibly be installed by UpdatePack7. It can't possibly update Windows 7 as there is no update for Windows 7 that exists. Literally does not exist at all.

UpdatePack7 claiming to have updates for Windows 7 is not actually updating anything. As I said before: It takes updates for Windows Server and Windows Embedded Standard 7 then MODIFIES the installer package to disable the operating system check and install those updates inside of Windows 7.

I write only true and factual information. None of my thoughts. None of my opinions. No conjecture. Only facts. It is a fact: UpdatePack7 does not update Windows 7.

hello

rofl
https://i.postimg.cc/265wzrrB/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/CLwjYw7M/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/28Yx6QkD/Capture.jpg

2024-10 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Embedded Standard 7 for x64-based Systems (KB5044321)
Nom: windows6.1-kb5044321-x64_7844dd833100025740c4a93838e9ed288d267c0d.msu
Taille: 65555945 octets : 62 MiB
SHA256: 6f8720852eef1d04d31c60747fc95a00f9dee862855177cee2655ec5f7985677

2024-10 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB5044321)
Nom: windows6.1-kb5044321-x64_7844dd833100025740c4a93838e9ed288d267c0d(1).msu
Taille: 65555945 octets : 62 MiB
SHA256: 6f8720852eef1d04d31c60747fc95a00f9dee862855177cee2655ec5f7985677
both files are exactly the same files as you can see with their respectiv sha256 ,and also same name from the second screenshot despite they have been labelled for a different sku ;)

[Meatflaps]

bidulless původně napsal:

rofl
https://i.postimg.cc/265wzrrB/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/CLwjYw7M/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/28Yx6QkD/Capture.jpg

2024-10 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Embedded Standard 7 for x64-based Systems (KB5044321)
Nom: windows6.1-kb5044321-x64_7844dd833100025740c4a93838e9ed288d267c0d.msu
Taille: 65555945 octets : 62 MiB
SHA256: 6f8720852eef1d04d31c60747fc95a00f9dee862855177cee2655ec5f7985677

2024-10 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB5044321)
Nom: windows6.1-kb5044321-x64_7844dd833100025740c4a93838e9ed288d267c0d(1).msu
Taille: 65555945 octets : 62 MiB
SHA256: 6f8720852eef1d04d31c60747fc95a00f9dee862855177cee2655ec5f7985677
both files are exactly the same files as you can see with their respectiv sha256 ,and also same name from the second screenshot despite they have been labelled for a different sku ;)

Each update is clearly described exactly for which operating system it should be installed in. Did you read the Microsoft catalog website? Do you understand the words that are displayed there? I could try to translate them for you if you still have difficulty reading the website.

[bidulless]

Meatflaps původně napsal:

bidulless původně napsal:

rofl
https://i.postimg.cc/265wzrrB/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/CLwjYw7M/Capture.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/28Yx6QkD/Capture.jpg

2024-10 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Embedded Standard 7 for x64-based Systems (KB5044321)
Nom: windows6.1-kb5044321-x64_7844dd833100025740c4a93838e9ed288d267c0d.msu
Taille: 65555945 octets : 62 MiB
SHA256: 6f8720852eef1d04d31c60747fc95a00f9dee862855177cee2655ec5f7985677

2024-10 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB5044321)
Nom: windows6.1-kb5044321-x64_7844dd833100025740c4a93838e9ed288d267c0d(1).msu
Taille: 65555945 octets : 62 MiB
SHA256: 6f8720852eef1d04d31c60747fc95a00f9dee862855177cee2655ec5f7985677
both files are exactly the same files as you can see with their respectiv sha256 ,and also same name from the second screenshot despite they have been labelled for a different sku ;)

Each update is clearly described exactly for which operating system it should be installed in. Did you read the Microsoft catalog website? Do you understand the words that are displayed there? I could try to translate them for you if you still have difficulty reading the website.

hello

i can imagine , that you do not know what a sha256 on a file means , it's not a surprise as you just circling about a name you gladly can read correctly despite both files are the SAME EXACT FILE, and both are working for server 2008r2 and windows 7 embedded.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2
And mikeysoft did not even bother to change the download name of both of them ( screenshot 2)

[Jettæ]

Amaterasu původně napsal:

Master.Constructor původně napsal:

It's not a threat but I think it's certainly a good idea.

A good idea would be to stop using UpdatePack 7 and stop trying to endorse piracy.

You say that piracy is bad yet you probably do it too.

[Crashed]

Jettæ původně napsal:

Amaterasu původně napsal:

A good idea would be to stop using UpdatePack 7 and stop trying to endorse piracy.

You say that piracy is bad yet you probably do it too.

They probably aren't trying to keep an outdated system limping along.

[Amaterasu]

Jettæ původně napsal:

Amaterasu původně napsal:

A good idea would be to stop using UpdatePack 7 and stop trying to endorse piracy.

You say that piracy is bad yet you probably do it too.

I don't limp along on an outdated operating system and I've not pirated anything in 16 years.

[smeggot]

ITT: people who have no clue as to the actual code differences between Win 7 & Win 7 Embedded, and make assumptions.

[Crashed]

smeggot původně napsal:

ITT: people who have no clue as to the actual code differences between Win 7 & Win 7 Embedded, and make assumptions.

Embedded is stripped down, is it not? Thus, a smaller set of components to maintain?

[Nebgama]

Ben Lubar původně napsal:

Steam is already programmed to not download updates that won't work on your computer. You don't need to do anything special to prevent it from updating. It will stop on its own when the next update is one that doesn't work on your OS.

That still does not protect users from compatibility issues though, if they ever change something on the backend regardless of the version and your outdated client does not know what that new change is or how to interrupt it, it will mean that the client stops working or becomes intermittent or xyz issue etc.

Say they change some functionality on the backend and it means only new updated clients that are past window 7 are only able to accommodate that function? yeah then it will mean all those outdated clients will stop working.

Just try to launch the steam client from 2013? which imo is the best client well you can't, what about the ones before that. Yeah exactly not possible.

[Lixire]

Nebgama původně napsal:

Ben Lubar původně napsal:

Steam is already programmed to not download updates that won't work on your computer. You don't need to do anything special to prevent it from updating. It will stop on its own when the next update is one that doesn't work on your OS.

That still does not protect users from compatibility issues though, if they ever change something on the backend regardless of the version and your outdated client does not know what that new change is or how to interrupt it, it will mean that the client stops working or becomes intermittent or xyz issue etc.

Say they change some functionality on the backend and it means only new updated clients that are past window 7 are only able to accommodate that function? yeah then it will mean all those outdated clients will stop working.

Just try to launch the steam client from 2013? which imo is the best client well you can't, what about the ones before that. Yeah exactly not possible.

I imagine that it will take a long while before that point happens. the 2019 XP client still can boot and perform very basic functions so the current retail Sep 2024 build for 7/8.1 will probably work for years to come and by the time it stops. I assume that Win7 will be obsolete for absolutely everything anyway