Legacy Windows Support :: Suggestions / Ideas

Brian9824 Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:37am

Steam can't support an OS when the creator of the OS doesn't support it anymore. They need functionality that is no longer available for it.

#1

Mad Scientist Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:42am

Not supporting it doesn't necessarily mean the app wont work with those Operating Systems at all, it just means it wont be supported. Over time it could mean not working with those, but that's unlikely compared to something like WinXP.

Win10 free upgrades should still be a thing as well for 7/8 users.

#2

Nx Machina Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:44am

I switched from Win 7 to Win 10 a few years ago and every game runs on my PC.

#3

Spawn of Totoro Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:46am

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Not supporting it doesn't necessarily mean the app wont work with those Operating Systems at all, it just means it wont be supported. Over time it could mean not working with those, but that's unlikely compared to something like WinXP.

Win10 free upgrades should still be a thing as well for 7/8 users.

In this case, it will actually stop working as Valve is upgrading parts of the Steam Client.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4784-4F2B-1321-800A

As of January 1 2024, Steam will officially stop supporting the Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems. After that date, the Steam Client will no longer run on those versions of Windows. In order to continue running Steam and any games or other products purchased through Steam, users will need to update to a more recent version of Windows.

The newest features in Steam rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which no longer functions on older versions of Windows. In addition, future versions of Steam will require Windows feature and security updates only present in Windows 10 and above.

Last edited by Spawn of Totoro; Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:48am

#4

Mad Scientist Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:51am

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Not supporting it doesn't necessarily mean the app wont work with those Operating Systems at all, it just means it wont be supported. Over time it could mean not working with those, but that's unlikely compared to something like WinXP.

Win10 free upgrades should still be a thing as well for 7/8 users.

In this case, it will actually stop working as Valve is upgrading parts of the Steam Client as well.

newest Steam features “rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome” that offers limited functionality on older Windows versions.

future versions of Steam are also set to rely on feature and security updates that are only present / destined for Windows 10 or above.

Seems like an over time issue. Regardless, the upgrade has always been free, so it wont cost anyone anything. 7 was great, 8 completely sucked, and 10 is basically an upgraded 7.

People can dual boot if they want to keep their win7, preferably with a different drive, SSDs are also very cheap these days. Heck, buy an SSD, clone7, upgrade 7 to 10 on the new SSD, user keeps both and can freely swap between the boots.

I can understand loving 7 & keeping it, I even have a drive with 7 on it in case it's needed, but now it's basically just an OS archive at this point.

#5

Spawn of Totoro Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:52am

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Seems like an over time issue.

I updated my post and linked the article before you posted.

Last edited by Spawn of Totoro; Mar 28, 2023 @ 10:53am

#6

Mad Scientist Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:00am

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Seems like an over time issue.

I updated my post and linked the article before you posted.

And? One says limited, the other claims it wont run. Typically, you can code something to deny installation if it detects a certain OS or version of an OS, which would be deceitful to do if it will be capable of running in those environments but wont be officially supported. It's easier to tell a customer it wont run at all and to close the installer or updater.

I can take an update from a piece of software on another updated workstation, copy/paste it when it wont install on the other workstation lacking the 'correct update', and it'll run flawlessly as an example of such programmed limitations by design. This would be more a google thing not so much a valve thing. Custom coding in this scenario, would be more preferable than relying on an untrustworthy source.

Regardless, users have a long period of time to do the free upgrade.

#7

BJWyler Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:08am

While I agree with the idea in principle, it unfortunately is simply not practical in this day and age. The OS manufacturers have made it abundantly clear that they are going to continue to force obsolescence with their product regardless of user wishes.

Until a suitable alternative presents itself to challenge Microsoft and Apple, it's just not going to happen. Linux ain't it.

#8

Spawn of Totoro Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:12am

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

I updated my post and linked the article before you posted.
And? One says limited, the other claims it wont run. Typically, you can code something to deny installation if it detects a certain OS or version of an OS, which would be deceitful to do if it will be capable of running in those environments but wont be officially supported. It's easier to tell a customer it wont run at all and to close the installer or updater.

I can take an update from a piece of software on another updated workstation, copy/paste it when it wont install on the other workstation lacking the 'correct update', and it'll run flawlessly as an example of such programmed limitations by design. This would be more a google thing not so much a valve thing. Custom coding in this scenario, would be more preferable than relying on an untrustworthy source.

Regardless, users have a long period of time to do the free upgrade.

"After that date, the Steam Client will no longer run on those versions of Windows."

Valve stated, clearly, that the client will not work for those OSs after January 1st, 2024.

Reason stated was also give. "The newest features in Steam rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which no longer functions on older versions of Windows."

#9

Brian9824 Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:18am

Now turning on offline mode for Steam MIGHT let it still work, will have to wait and see.

#10

Callahan420 Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:19am

Legacy support would be great. Win 10 is a $150 downgrade to spyware at best and definitely not even close to Win 7 in ease of use.

#11

RiO Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:19am

Oh great. This means we still have ... 9 months of waiting time left, before the version of Chromium that is embedded into Steam is actually up-to-date again. I.e. is actually secure again, and hopefully usable again with various payment services that now either slam the door shut; flat out don't work; or are buggy to the point that you probably shouldn't be paying via them through the client, just to be sure.
(I mean: unless you're willing to take the risk of something unexpectedly going wrong and you ending up with a hanging payment; bank- or CC-company initiated charge-back; and limitations being placed on your Steam account due to no fault of your own. And Valve of course not caring to do anything about it.)

Last edited by RiO; Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:20am

#12

Mad Scientist Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:21am

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
(snip)

I've already informed you that you can intentionally program things to deny installing or updating based upon detection, something I personally know google does frequently. There's a difference between actually being unable to run in an environment, and making the software say "No" when someone tries if you make it look for conditions to deny.

Given I've also seen this with apps, it's more of "it'll work but we wont help you with technical support". I've worked in a hardware company, we've made drivers that do this to no longer support older OS's as planned obsolescence (aka artificial limitation, something google is known for).

Although overall as stated multiple times, people can just use the free OS upgrade to Win10, no cost to the user.

Originally posted by Callahan420:
Legacy support would be great. Win 10 is a $150 downgrade to spyware at best and definitely not even close to Win 7 in ease of use.

You can get an AV or Firewall that can generally restrict a lot of things, as well as turning off services that dont re-enable themselves.

Last edited by Mad Scientist; Mar 28, 2023 @ 11:23am

#13

Sean Mirrsen Mar 30, 2023 @ 3:54am

If the issue is Chromium and security, why not let users just access their library? Small Mode strips all browser functions from the client. If there's a legacy client that is locked to Small Mode, and possibly has other necessary lockouts per security (for i.e. anticheat), I think most people would be content with that.

It'd let us 'outdated' people still play our games, without undue strain on the developers.

#14

Brian9824 Mar 30, 2023 @ 3:57am

Originally posted by Sean Mirrsen:
If the issue is Chromium and security, why not let users just access their library? Small Mode strips all browser functions from the client. If there's a legacy client that is locked to Small Mode, and possibly has other necessary lockouts per security (for i.e. anticheat), I think most people would be content with that.

It'd let us 'outdated' people still play our games, without undue strain on the developers.

Because it still requires web calls to connect to steams backend to validate your licenses, download them, etc. So they want to get rid of an unsafe unsupported OS and Chromium which introduces vulnerabilities.

#15

Report this post