how to run Steam on windows 7,8,8.1 after January 1st 2024!

[Unknown scout91]

Hello everyone this is unknown_scout 91
and today i have found how to get steam running on windows 7,8,8.1 (may or may not work on windows vista or windows xp)

i made a youtube video about it: How to get steam working on windows 7,8,8.1 after January 1st 2024 Unsupport - YouTube

However if you dont want to watch the video i will mention all the steps here

First: Steam files are on this MEGA link: https://mega.nz/file/WM0ADDLC#WCIGip...RYwfX-MfoemL1o
Steam.cfg Files are also mentioned on this different MEGA link: https://mega.nz/file/SMtGFKSb#6e4ZbE...FoGn_RaHEuo2r0

Second: Extract the files and make sure to move the steam.cfg to the steam directory folder and make sure to move the osver.ini to the C:\Windows

Third: After that open steam from the steam directory folder and then sign up or sign in to your account

Fourth: To get friend chat back, download this friend list patch on github (Latest version is 1.2.0): Release Patch Release v1.2.0 . TiberiumFusion/FixedSteamFriendsUI . GitHub

Fifth: Extract the file and run the .exe file (make sure steam is closed and not running in the background)

Sixth: After this the friend list chat will be back running as normal

If you are stuck on a problem or didnt understand a step, i recommend watching the video i made

 

[ThumpieBunnyEve]

In direct relation to your post, (and also hello again its me, the one who helped you with all this research way back in 2023/2024) steam updating and downloads has broken on this version. I've made a work around using steam CMD and robocopy to move the files into the appropriate places.

But steam will often show games need update regardless, and if you don't have them all set to 'don't update unless i launch them' they will all become corrupt and clog up the downloads and the content folders now on the December 2023 version of steam. i have to switch to offline mode, start the game, and then switch fast to online mode for them to start without trying to damage their own files and thus not launch. X_X cloud saves still work properly for now though.

Perhaps we can work together on a work around? i do not understand why we are getting the 'server not found' and 'files corrupt' coin flip on every attempt to download content. Probably some encryption hand shaking issue that isn't actually needed since you can actually just get the games and mods for said games, using steam cmd and the games app-id and workshop-item-id. but that's a total pain in the tail and not a great solution for most people (the what like 100 of us?) still using win7.

win7 is still legit 100%, but company contracts with microsoft are actively trying to force the EOL. On some of my machines I've switched to linux but it does have compatibility issues and things im used to using, just aren't there for linux. On other machines I'm running AtlasOS's neutering of win 10/11, yet i still prefer my win7 disk images, as im able to trust the telemetry, data mining, forced updates into EOL, forced updates into Subscriptions, and forced Deactivation of products, just aren't even there for modern programs to abuse.

Are you able to discover any new information in relation to steams 'update' and 'install' hell for this older version of steam? or have you moved on from testing for win7 entirely now?

～Your old friend ThumpieBunnyEve

PS: i do use Notepad++ with over 1200 appmanifest_######.acf files open, and change the following parameters:

"AutoUpdateBehavior" "1"
"StagingSize" "0"
"StateFlags" "4"
"ScheduledAutoUpdate" "0"

which has helped a while but as soon as an update comes out they change again to whatever. (except for "AutoUpdateBehavior" "1" which means only update when i launch)

 

[pinkybrain456]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/3238670/discussions/0/594022859095939680/?ctp=2#c594023708174098589


maybe this is the reason ?

 

[Unknown scout91]

In direct relation to your post, (and also hello again its me, the one who helped you with all this research way back in 2023/2024) steam updating and downloads has broken on this version. I've made a work around using steam CMD and robocopy to move the files into the appropriate places.

But steam will often show games need update regardless, and if you don't have them all set to 'don't update unless i launch them' they will all become corrupt and clog up the downloads and the content folders now on the December 2023 version of steam. i have to switch to offline mode, start the game, and then switch fast to online mode for them to start without trying to damage their own files and thus not launch. X_X cloud saves still work properly for now though.

Perhaps we can work together on a work around? i do not understand why we are getting the 'server not found' and 'files corrupt' coin flip on every attempt to download content. Probably some encryption hand shaking issue that isn't actually needed since you can actually just get the games and mods for said games, using steam cmd and the games app-id and workshop-item-id. but that's a total pain in the tail and not a great solution for most people (the what like 100 of us?) still using win7.

win7 is still legit 100%, but company contracts with microsoft are actively trying to force the EOL. On some of my machines I've switched to linux but it does have compatibility issues and things im used to using, just aren't there for linux. On other machines I'm running AtlasOS's neutering of win 10/11, yet i still prefer my win7 disk images, as im able to trust the telemetry, data mining, forced updates into EOL, forced updates into Subscriptions, and forced Deactivation of products, just aren't even there for modern programs to abuse.

Are you able to discover any new information in relation to steams 'update' and 'install' hell for this older version of steam? or have you moved on from testing for win7 entirely now?

～Your old friend ThumpieBunnyEve

PS: i do use Notepad++ with over 1200 appmanifest_######.acf files open, and change the following parameters:

"AutoUpdateBehavior" "1"
"StagingSize" "0"
"StateFlags" "4"
"ScheduledAutoUpdate" "0"

which has helped a while but as soon as an update comes out they change again to whatever. (except for "AutoUpdateBehavior" "1" which means only update when i launch)

Good Evening Thumpie, so nice to meet you

sorry to tell you this but my method has become outdated unfortunatly so i resorted to a new method on youtube, my method was working however through time it has become unusable and unplayable

 

[pinkybrain456]

i just got it working on win 8.1 using steamcmd as per here

Steam Community :: Guide :: Steam Client Downgrades & Survival Kit


but not for all games ... some i can play in online mode, some i have to go into offline mode ... however there are a couple that will not work either way still... those couple when in online mode try to download the steam common redistributables and crash with a corrupt chunk in app_id 228989 ... in steamcmd when i try the app_update on it gives me an invalid platform error

 

[Xol1mn3c]

I got error that says steam have a problem with connection help

 

[ThumpieBunnyEve]

I got error that says steam have a problem with connection help

Same. i have resorted to the hard way, of using steam CMD to install and move the games.
the steam -client- has moved on from whatever protocol initialization validation or checking that it used to use, so Updates and Installs now get 'can not connect to server' or 'download corrupted'.
steam CMD can still bypass this however. but its about as 'easy' as using linux terminal X_X it takes time to get used to. i know how and im still not used to it. its alota steps just to collect and update the games this way, and have steamClient itself use what you download in this manner takes even more 'slight of hand' but im managing to carry on.

Basically they don't want us using 7. but 10 EOL and 11 are persona non grata to me. so i will do this the hard way or switch completely to linux Mint eventually.

Sorry Xol1mn3c

if anyone has better answers im all ears.

- - - Updated - - -

i just got it working on win 8.1 using steamcmd as per here
Steam Community :: Guide :: Steam Client Downgrades & Survival Kit

but not for all games ... some i can play in online mode, some i have to go into offline mode ... however there are a couple that will not work either way still... those couple when in online mode try to download the steam common redistributables and crash with a corrupt chunk in app_id 228989 ... in steamcmd when i try the app_update on it gives me an invalid platform error

use
%YourPathTo%steamcmd.exe -overrideminos

to override the minimum os requirement.
just like for 7users on steam itself you need to use %YourPathTo%Steam.exe -pretendeol-w10
id add -console to that too just 'because'
%YourPathTo%Steam.exe -pretendeol-w10 -console

 

[Xol1mn3c]

Urgmhh.... So Windows 8.1 works?? As i expected.

 

[S K W]

In direct relation to your post, (and also hello again its me, the one who helped you with all this research way back in 2023/2024) steam updating and downloads has broken on this version. I've made a work around using steam CMD and robocopy to move the files into the appropriate places.

But steam will often show games need update regardless, and if you don't have them all set to 'don't update unless i launch them' they will all become corrupt and clog up the downloads and the content folders now on the December 2023 version of steam. i have to switch to offline mode, start the game, and then switch fast to online mode for them to start without trying to damage their own files and thus not launch. X_X cloud saves still work properly for now though.

Perhaps we can work together on a work around? i do not understand why we are getting the 'server not found' and 'files corrupt' coin flip on every attempt to download content. Probably some encryption hand shaking issue that isn't actually needed since you can actually just get the games and mods for said games, using steam cmd and the games app-id and workshop-item-id. but that's a total pain in the tail and not a great solution for most people (the what like 100 of us?) still using win7.

win7 is still legit 100%, but company contracts with microsoft are actively trying to force the EOL. On some of my machines I've switched to linux but it does have compatibility issues and things im used to using, just aren't there for linux. On other machines I'm running AtlasOS's neutering of win 10/11, yet i still prefer my win7 disk images, as im able to trust the telemetry, data mining, forced updates into EOL, forced updates into Subscriptions, and forced Deactivation of products, just aren't even there for modern programs to abuse.

Are you able to discover any new information in relation to steams 'update' and 'install' hell for this older version of steam? or have you moved on from testing for win7 entirely now?

～Your old friend ThumpieBunnyEve

PS: i do use Notepad++ with over 1200 appmanifest_######.acf files open, and change the following parameters:

"AutoUpdateBehavior" "1"
"StagingSize" "0"
"StateFlags" "4"
"ScheduledAutoUpdate" "0"

which has helped a while but as soon as an update comes out they change again to whatever. (except for "AutoUpdateBehavior" "1" which means only update when i launch)

Hello, first time here. I'm having the same problem. Is there somewhere we can communicate more quickly, like a chat? Do you use Discord or something similar?The installation problem is occurring because of the C++ 2019 and 2020 DLLs from Visual Studio. These DLLs are used to unpack files, but they are causing conflicts on Windows 7. These 2019 and 2020 versions should work normally, but they are modified versions that Steam calls, sometimes cause conflicts and sometimes works.One way to install some games, although not ideal, is to download the pre-installation option. You can enable it in the terminal, in Steam's developer mode. Sometimes it works, but if the game has updates, it probably won't install any of them.One way to run some Steam games is by running Steam from MSYS2 MINGW_64, <-- this can make some games installed on Steam work, and not just on Steam, in fact, it can make other games and programs work, for example, the game "The Bazaar".

I want to communicate more with you to resolve these issues.

 

[Dimitris B]

Hello everyone this is unknown_scout 91
and today i have found how to get steam running on windows 7,8,8.1 (may or may not work on windows vista or windows xp)

i made a youtube video about it: How to get steam working on windows 7,8,8.1 after January 1st 2024 Unsupport - YouTube

However if you dont want to watch the video i will mention all the steps here

First: Steam files are on this MEGA link: https://mega.nz/file/WM0ADDLC#WCIGip...RYwfX-MfoemL1o
Steam.cfg Files are also mentioned on this different MEGA link: https://mega.nz/file/SMtGFKSb#6e4ZbE...FoGn_RaHEuo2r0

Second: Extract the files and make sure to move the steam.cfg to the steam directory folder and make sure to move the osver.ini to the C:\Windows

Third: After that open steam from the steam directory folder and then sign up or sign in to your account

Fourth: To get friend chat back, download this friend list patch on github (Latest version is 1.2.0): Release Patch Release v1.2.0 . TiberiumFusion/FixedSteamFriendsUI . GitHub

Fifth: Extract the file and run the .exe file (make sure steam is closed and not running in the background)

Sixth: After this the friend list chat will be back running as normal

If you are stuck on a problem or didnt understand a step, i recommend watching the video i made

there is actually a far easier way, just add "-no-cef-sandbox" to the shortcut's target and it will work.

 

[ThumpieBunnyEve]

"Dimitris B wrote: there is actually a far easier way, just add "-no-cef-sandbox" to the shortcut's target and it will work."

Do you mean, to the steam client shortcut, or to each game launch option??
I -am- still using the 2023 December version of steam client. I haven't had downloads work on steam for +6 months or more.
instead i keep backups of the installed folders, then i DL updates to the files and folders using SteamCMD, move those updates to the appropriate directories,
AND have to also copy over the .acf files steamCMD updates, to indicate the proper launcher path [[usually steam.exe and not steamCMD.exe]]

This all neglects to mention, that i start the steamCMD effort with a long winded config file, that app_update's each item vie app id, which i painstakeingly have to fetch from the store page of each game. X_X some 1800+ items. -_- but that's it's own story.


so again, where does this "-no-cef-sandbox" go?
in the launch options for each game?
in the SteamCMD shortcut target parameter?
in the Steam.Exe shortcut target parameter?
Dimitris B

 

[Dimitris B]

"Dimitris B wrote: there is actually a far easier way, just add "-no-cef-sandbox" to the shortcut's target and it will work."

Do you mean, to the steam client shortcut, or to each game launch option??
I -am- still using the 2023 December version of steam client. I haven't had downloads work on steam for +6 months or more.
instead i keep backups of the installed folders, then i DL updates to the files and folders using SteamCMD, move those updates to the appropriate directories,
AND have to also copy over the .acf files steamCMD updates, to indicate the proper launcher path [[usually steam.exe and not steamCMD.exe]]

This all neglects to mention, that i start the steamCMD effort with a long winded config file, that app_update's each item vie app id, which i painstakeingly have to fetch from the store page of each game. X_X some 1800+ items. -_- but that's it's own story.


so again, where does this "-no-cef-sandbox" go?
in the launch options for each game?
in the SteamCMD shortcut target parameter?
in the Steam.Exe shortcut target parameter?
@Dimitris B

Hi,
The -no-cef-sandbox commands should be at the client's traget. games will run fine without it, as game shortcuts are local urls that tell steam which game to run according to the ID on the shortcut. Considering the Game itself supports Windows 7, tho (most still do actually, pretty much all valve titles will run). With this command trick, the latest Steam release as of Feb 2026 when im writing this, works just fine, only downloads have small problems and you might get a "corrupt download" error because Steam uses a new method or something. But in most cases its not going to happen. It mostly happens to big source games because the old Windows 7 encryption is overstimulated with the new method which works horrible and was never tested for it, and the cherry on top is the fact that big source games like TF2 or Gmod mostly consists of thousands of Tiny VPK files, This also overstimulates WIndows 7 Networking and might make it fail when it verifies the Depot by comparing the files on the Steam servers to the ones installed to see any errors. About what -no-cef-sandbox is, i have no idea. A friend showed it to me at school on the library PC which still runs Windows 7. I know "cef" stands for "Chrome Embedded Framework" which is what the client is built from since like 2023 when they switched from the VGUI base. The client you are using (2023) probably uses VGUI. CEF is the reason steam cut support for Windows 7, as it provided some capabilities that they didnt care enough to test on Windows 7, because Microsoft at that time pushed the EOL hard. What i assume it does is disable something on the framework (some sort of sandboxing, hence the name) which triggers the OS Error, and doesnt let Windows 7 based systems to run Steam. I dont know, but -no-cef-sanbox makes it perfectly. Its just clunky compared to old VGUI builds but thats up to your Hardware. In addition, with this command, you dont really need to use SteamCMD in the first place, jst the latest client with Networking limitations that exist within Windows 7...

 

[ThumpieBunnyEve]

@Dimitris B
Maybe i am misunderstanding, as i just woke up,

In my case,
AND/OR((A))
i would update the windows shortcut to the steam client then?
as an example of the path to the steam steam client:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox

where as -console provides the console option at the top of the steam main client window for extended super user options
where as -pretendeol-w10 removes the nag screen about 0 days until Steams win7EOL
where as -no-cef-sandbox disables Steams reliance on Chrome Embedded Framework over the network

yes?

AND/OR((B))
do you mean i must alter all the .acf files

"AppState"{
"appid"        "228980"
"Universe"        "1"
"LauncherPath"        "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Games\\utilities\\Steam\\steam.exe"  -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox
"name"        "Steamworks Common Redistributables"
\\SNIP\\

AND/OR((C))
update the game shortcuts:
Run 3dSen url
"steam://rungameid/1147940 -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox"

AND/OR((D))
update links to the games directly:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\3dSen\3dSen.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox

AND/OR((E))
the steam clients launch options for the title?
Image title: "Steam client 3dSen launch properties [-dx11 -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox]"


I think the community of visitors to this site would benefit from some clarity on this issue as not all of us are super users.
... though with all this minutia we are having to deal with the road to becoming a super user is more akin to an everest mountain climb lately.


Please note the alphabetical AND/OR's above, ((ABCDE)) in your reply.
@Dimitris B

 

[Dimitris B]

@Dimitris B
Maybe i am misunderstanding, as i just woke up,

In my case,
AND/OR((A))
i would update the windows shortcut to the steam client then?
as an example of the path to the steam steam client:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox

where as -console provides the console option at the top of the steam main client window for extended super user options
where as -pretendeol-w10 removes the nag screen about 0 days until Steams win7EOL
where as -no-cef-sandbox disables Steams reliance on Chrome Embedded Framework over the network

yes?

AND/OR((B))
do you mean i must alter all the .acf files

"AppState"{
"appid"        "228980"
"Universe"        "1"
"LauncherPath"        "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Games\\utilities\\Steam\\steam.exe"  -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox
"name"        "Steamworks Common Redistributables"
\\SNIP\\

AND/OR((C))
update the game shortcuts:
Run 3dSen url
"steam://rungameid/1147940 -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox"

AND/OR((D))
update links to the games directly:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\3dSen\3dSen.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox

AND/OR((E))
the steam clients launch options for the title?
Image title: "Steam client 3dSen launch properties [-dx11 -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox]"
View attachment 425333

I think the community of visitors to this site would benefit from some clarity on this issue as not all of us are super users.
... though with all this minutia we are having to deal with the road to becoming a super user is more akin to an everest mountain climb lately.


Please note the alphabetical AND/OR's above, ((ABCDE)) in your reply.
@Dimitris B

A... Its extremely simple.. simpler than you think. No modification is required for this.

 

[ThumpieBunnyEve]

Dimitris B is being vague. but alright. ((A)) as you say.
ill poke around with it and see what more i can learn.

What is with this trend of people being vague, are you looking to avoid accountability of, helping? i don't get it. Helping is good. oh well anyway. Thank you ?

- - - Updated - - -

Ok so
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox

starts steam, version:
[FONT=&quot]|| Steam Version:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]local[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]|| Steam Client Build Date:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Thu, Dec 7 7:36 PM UTC -08:00[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]|| Steam Web Build Date:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Fri, Dec 8 6:30 PM UTC -08:00[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]|| Steam API Version:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]SteamClient021[/FONT]

Much MUCH more slow and laggy then usual. which doesn't bother me at all. i don't really care if the steam client is laggy if it works.
However, as always, it still doesn't allow any programs to install or update. the situation remains (with this version) where all downloads result in
'corrupt download' and or 'no internet connection' red letter responses.

which for me wasn't any different then the running:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10

other then the latter runs a bit faster? meh.

I suspect Dimitris B your "-no-cef-sandbox" was supposed to help with users running the February 6'th 2026 version of steam?
If so, how does disabling the chrome aspect aid others?
((A)) will the feb 6'th 2026 version of Steam not run at all on a windows7 system unless cef-sandbox is disabled?

((B)) Does the feb 6'th 2026 version of steam include the new ability for users to lock their current versions of games based on mod/workshop content installed? (a feature new to steam that i myself would value a whole lot.)

((C)) is this -no-cef-sandbox fix, just to allow for friend-list operation on win7 systems?


I will note, last time i tried to install a steam version (later then may 2025) on windows 7 i was prompted that the install would not proceed, due to it being a EOL OS. And later, when i managed to install it anyway through some folder spoofing, it still would not start even on use of "-pretendeol-w10" hopefully those limitations have been lifted.

Any day i expect a email from [h=3]Gabe Newell[/h] yelling at me for still using windows7 with his platform in 2026. ((PS its pretty funny that text of Gabe's name is upside down for whatever reason when i paste it in here.))

 

[Dimitris B]

Dimitris B is being vague. but alright. ((A)) as you say.
ill poke around with it and see what more i can learn.

What is with this trend of people being vague, are you looking to avoid accountability of, helping? i don't get it. Helping is good. oh well anyway. Thank you ?

- - - Updated - - -

Ok so
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10 -no-cef-sandbox

starts steam, version:
|| Steam Version:local
|| Steam Client Build Date:Thu, Dec 7 7:36 PM UTC -08:00
|| Steam Web Build Date:Fri, Dec 8 6:30 PM UTC -08:00
|| Steam API Version:SteamClient021

Much MUCH more slow and laggy then usual. which doesn't bother me at all. i don't really care if the steam client is laggy if it works.
However, as always, it still doesn't allow any programs to install or update. the situation remains (with this version) where all downloads result in
'corrupt download' and or 'no internet connection' red letter responses.

which for me wasn't any different then the running:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console -pretendeol-w10

other then the latter runs a bit faster? meh.

I suspect Dimitris B your "-no-cef-sandbox" was supposed to help with users running the February 6'th 2026 version of steam?
If so, how does disabling the chrome aspect aid others?
((A)) will the feb 6'th 2026 version of Steam not run at all on a windows7 system unless cef-sandbox is disabled?

((B)) Does the feb 6'th 2026 version of steam include the new ability for users to lock their current versions of games based on mod/workshop content installed? (a feature new to steam that i myself would value a whole lot.)

((C)) is this -no-cef-sandbox fix, just to allow for friend-list operation on win7 systems?


I will note, last time i tried to install a steam version (later then may 2025) on windows 7 i was prompted that the install would not proceed, due to it being a EOL OS. And later, when i managed to install it anyway through some folder spoofing, it still would not start even on use of "-pretendeol-w10" hopefully those limitations have been lifted.

Any day i expect a email from Gabe Newell

yelling at me for still using windows7 with his platform in 2026. ((PS its pretty funny that text of Gabe's name is upside down for whatever reason when i paste it in here.))

its not the feb 6 release that did anything, ive been using this trick since last summer.
And i have to repeat i have no idea how does it work.
also ive discovered something else, you dont really need it if steam starts once its super strange but... it works!
Also apologies for being vague.