Steam August 2026 Survey: Windows 11 Share Hits 70.97%

Valve released the August 2026 Steam Hardware & Software Survey, revealing a decisive shift in PC gaming infrastructure. Windows 11 64-bit usage reached 70.97%, confirming its dominance over Windows 10. This data helps hardware buyers understand which operating systems and components remain relevant for modern gaming.

Windows 11 usage hits 70.97% while 16GB RAM remains the most common configuration

The survey covers the entire Steam user base, providing a snapshot of global gaming hardware trends. Windows 10 usage dropped to 22.90%, while macOS and Linux held smaller shares at 2.14% and 3.90% respectively. These figures illustrate the continuing consolidation of the Windows ecosystem among PC gamers.

• Windows 11 64-bit Share: 70.97%
• Windows 10 64-bit Share: 22.90%
• macOS Share: 2.14%
• Linux Share: 3.90%
• 16GB RAM Share: 41.20%

Memory and graphics configurations show a clear move toward higher specifications. 16GB RAM remains the most common choice at 41.20%, with 32GB usage growing to 37.45%. NVIDIA holds a dominant 72.88% share of the GPU market, while AMD and Intel account for 18.68% and 8.03% respectively.

Specific GPU models reveal interesting adoption patterns for newer hardware. The GeForce RTX 3060 remains the most popular single card at 3.76%, closely followed by the RTX 4060 Laptop at 3.63%. The RTX 5060 Laptop showed the most significant growth among specific models with a 0.45% increase. VRAM trends also shifted, with 16GB VRAM now leading at 26.92% over 8GB VRAM at 25.74%. Resolution preferences remain anchored to 1080p at 50.52%, though 2K and 4K shares are increasing.

Language usage data highlights shifting regional engagement on the platform. English usage decreased to 38.25%, while Simplified Chinese usage increased to 23.97%. We've been tracking Steam closely — see our earlier coverage on Steam May 2026 Survey Shows Windows.

The August 2026 survey confirms that high memory and VRAM configurations are becoming standard for PC gamers. Windows 11 is now the primary operating system for the majority of Steam users. These trends provide a clear baseline for evaluating current and future gaming hardware requirements.