Steam finally not working on Windows 7 and 8...

[august1929]

Well I have been keeping Steam and TSC (plus other less demanding games) going on my old computer with Windows 8.1 since the original cut-off date of January 2024 but the plug was finally pulled with the last Steam update (2 October?).

Bit of a shame as I guess not everyone can afford new computers. I was able to purchase a new rig in November last year but I liked, on the odd time, going into Steam on the old computer as I still use that one (actually this one as I type) for a load of different programs that I have no need to, or wish to, update to be Windows 11 compatable...

Probably self indulgent keeping it running on this computer but it made me wonder about the contract with Steam when you purchase a game. Steam has effectively removed all purchases from anyone not running Windows 10 or 11...are they time limited purchase contracts as anything purchased before Steam's original warning (some time in mid 2023) about the end of support for 7 and 8 would have been acquired in good faith and expectation of use by the purchaser.

Rod

[jalsina]

Well I have been keeping Steam and TSC (plus other less demanding games) going on my old computer with Windows 8.1 since the original cut-off date of January 2024 but the plug was finally pulled with the last Steam update (2 October?).

Bit of a shame as I guess not everyone can afford new computers. I was able to purchase a new rig in November last year but I liked, on the odd time, going into Steam on the old computer as I still use that one (actually this one as I type) for a load of different programs that I have no need to, or wish to, update to be Windows 11 compatable...

Probably self indulgent keeping it running on this computer but it made me wonder about the contract with Steam when you purchase a game. Steam has effectively removed all purchases from anyone not running Windows 10 or 11...are they time limited purchase contracts as anything purchased before Steam's original warning (some time in mid 2023) about the end of support for 7 and 8 would have been acquired in good faith and expectation of use by the purchaser.

Rod

These are the current Steam Requirements:
Minimum requirements for Steam123:
OS: Windows® 10 64-bit / Windows® 11 64-bit
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200 / Intel® Core™ i3-6100
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon™ RX 460 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 750
Storage: 10 GB available space
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection

About "Bit of a shame as I guess not everyone can afford new computers.": I remember that when Windows 10 was released, the update was free for all Windows 7 and 8 users, at least for about year. I updated at once two PC´s and two laptops.

[jalsina]

Well I have been keeping Steam and TSC (plus other less demanding games) going on my old computer with Windows 8.1 since the original cut-off date of January 2024 but the plug was finally pulled with the last Steam update (2 October?).

Bit of a shame as I guess not everyone can afford new computers. I was able to purchase a new rig in November last year but I liked, on the odd time, going into Steam on the old computer as I still use that one (actually this one as I type) for a load of different programs that I have no need to, or wish to, update to be Windows 11 compatable...

Probably self indulgent keeping it running on this computer but it made me wonder about the contract with Steam when you purchase a game. Steam has effectively removed all purchases from anyone not running Windows 10 or 11...are they time limited purchase contracts as anything purchased before Steam's original warning (some time in mid 2023) about the end of support for 7 and 8 would have been acquired in good faith and expectation of use by the purchaser.

Rod

These are the current Steam Requirements:
Minimum requirements for Steam123:
OS: Windows® 10 64-bit / Windows® 11 64-bit
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200 / Intel® Core™ i3-6100
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon™ RX 460 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 750
Storage: 10 GB available space
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection

About "Bit of a shame as I guess not everyone can afford new computers.": I remember that when Windows 10 was released, the upgrade was free for all Windows 7 and 8 users, at least for about a year. I updated at once two PC´s and two laptops.
Recently, the W11 upgrade has been freeware for all W10 users.

[august1929]

I don't disagree re the Windows 10 move - I have done that for both my sons' computers but that is hardly the point.

Many people who play games through Steam will not be sufficiently competent/brave enough/computer aware to make that move. Like TSC, software may become more complex by being upgraded, but not all - again hardly the point for older software that could still be used on Windows 7 or 8.

Let's be clear, this doesn't particularly affect me or mine but there will be those that it does affect and I think a simple install Windows 10 may not address the issue for some - whenever it could have been done.

The original post only made for interest as we are probably all unbelievable computer wiz's here and are supremely future proofed.

Rod

[buzz456]

It's called learning Rod. Something many should not be so adverse to nowadays, particularly when almost anything and everything about computers is available right at your finger tips.

[august1929]

I agree Buzz, but it was more about the concept of items for sale, with no time limit for use applied, becoming unusable through actions of the original vendor. I am pretty certain that there will be some other commercial examples along the lines of Steam expecting individuals to upgrade (even if the upgrade was apparently free - though the upgrade can still come at a cost) in order to continue enjoyment of their purchases.

[AmericanSteam]

some stay ahead of technology, others fall behind. With the speed technology changes, one needs to be proactive and informed. This allows for purchasing new technology when the price is optimal and not when absolutely needed. Contemplating a move to Windows 10, that soon will fall by the wayside. To move to Windows 11, this will take new hardware to run the new security measures for it. How many still have a rotary phone?

[jalsina]

I remember a pair of builds of Windows 10 that gave me serious trouble. This got fixed and Windows 11 has been working still much better.