ValveSoftware
[TF2] Matchmaking does not work on Windows 7
Trying to queue for a match results in a matchmaking error.
Console is full of SteamNetworkingSocket errors.
I am running the latest stable version of Steam as of writing this post (1747701111).
My server location is Europe, if that's important.
First of all, how to play Team Fortress 2 on Windows 7 if Steam is not compatible.
Secondly, Valve does not currently support Windows 7 in its games, so this error should be normal.
First of all, how to play Team Fortress 2 on Windows 7 if Steam is not compatible.
Secondly, Valve does not currently support Windows 7 in its games, so this error should be normal.
you can spoof your windows version and steam will work fine
also ?? tf2 is supported on windows 7, when the 64bit patch came out last year and windows 7 users had issues with it they still fixed it for them. if valve does not support windows 7 and is not going to fix the issues it has with these old windows versions, then the system requirements for tf2 are misleading, since it clearly states the support of windows 7 and 8.
Fix is to update windows
i rely on some software that doesn't fully work on windows 8 or above, it's more convenient for me to use windows 7 if the closure on this issue is "this won't get fixed" then ¯_(ツ)_/¯ guess i'll have to
Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/7328#issuecomment-2991904408
The game is likely still supported on Windows 7, but Steam and the Steam network required for the game are not supported.
Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/7328#issuecomment-2991904408
Also, it's not right to go around hacking Steam to make it work on Windows 7. If you don't like that Steam forces you to use Windows 10/11, you can always go to competing stores like GOG, where they still support Windows 7, but of course, you'd be left without Valve games.
Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/7328#issuecomment-2991904408
Also in your screenshot you covered the part where it clearly says that Steam will not be compatible with Windows 7
Valve may continue to allow TF2 to continue running on a windows 7 machine, but that doesn't mean the servers you connect to for matchmaking need to. You're running an unsupported OS, spoofing to get Steam to even load. They have no real business reason to fix this.
If you have software that requires windows 7, you can find new software, see if there's any updates available for that software and upgrade windows, or update your computer and use a lightweight VM to run the specific software. If this is a case of the software is used for business, then what are you doing playing TF2 on a work machine?
This issue should be closed because you can't even log in (because Steam clearly doesn't support old operating systems)
I would highly recommend upgrading to Windows 10 or Windows 11, and using whatever method you used to bypass the OS version check on Steam for whatever software you're saying won't work on Windows 10 or 11. If you've tried this already, and it doesn't work, then I would suggest upgrading anyway and just run a Virtual Machine for Windows 7.
If this is an issue beyond just software compatibility, maybe aesthetics (trust me, I get that), then you can replicate a pretty convincing Windows 7 look on Windows 10 with various tools and such, namely explorer7, among other things.
steam and by extension TF2 can and will run on 7, provided you download first the archived client and then download TF2 from it
Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/7328#issue-3161261808
Did you use VxKex? If so my guess is it's most likely an anti cheat/anti botting measure. I have no idea how the game hits a 504 error when getting the relay db or whatever it's called in milliseconds and doesn't wait for any response otherwise. A friend confirmed same thing happens to him as well.
TF2 is working perfectly fine on Windows 7 last official Steam version (Nov 8th 2024), it's this user fault because he is using newer Steam by spoofing his OS as Windows 10, thus causing incompatible libraries to be loaded.
Proof Team Fortress 2 working (64 bit version) official servers:
