Steam has been around since 2003, laying the groundwork for modern digital storefronts. Despite early backlash from PC players, it gradually became the go-to platform by putting users first and offering far more than just a place to buy games.
Over time, Steam evolved into an all-in-one ecosystem, combining a storefront, social features, a mod hub, and a central launcher for digital libraries. That broader focus helped it cement its position at the centre of PC gaming.
Steam’s December update pushes it into the 64-bit era
Perhaps long overdue, the Steam client is now fully 64-bit on Windows 10 and Windows 11, applying to 64-bit versions of the operating system. Systems still running 32-bit Windows will continue to receive updates until January 1, 2026.
For those unfamiliar with what this will achieve, moving Steam to a 64-bit client brings some benefits, including improved memory access, better stability, and a stronger foundation for future updates with better performance.
This is not the only change included in Steam’s latest update. Friends and Chat have received long-awaited improvements, including the ability to report suspicious or harassing messages directly from within a chat window.
Elsewhere, Valve has addressed issues affecting Big Picture Mode and Remote Play, alongside a broader set of fixes and quality of life improvements.
Steam Input also sees meaningful additions, with Nintendo Switch 2 controllers now supported over USB on Windows, as well as GameCube adapters in Wii U mode with rumble support, which is a surprising addition to see in the patch notes.
Alongside new hardware support, the update introduces refinements to gyro controls. It resolves issues where DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite, and Nintendo Joy-Con controllers were failing to pair correctly or load the appropriate configuration.
Steam’s shift to a 64-bit client is a big step forward for Windows users, but it also marks the beginning of a wider transition away from older systems. Have your say below and let us know how this update affects you.
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