Gears 5 on Steam will run on Windows 7

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The Steam system requirements are out, and there's one big difference from the Windows Store.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 10 is far and away the dominant operating system on PC these days, but good ol' Windows 7 is still hanging in there: The most recent Steam Hardware and Software Survey indicates that more than 20 percent of users are still running it. And the good news for them is that when Gears 5 comes out, they'll actually be able to play it.

This was in question because the Gears 5 system requirements on the Microsoft Store indicate that Windows 10 is a hard requirement to run the game. But the minimum requirements on Steam say that Windows 7 64-bit will get the job done. When asked about it on Twitter, Gears multiplayer design director Ryan Cleven confirmed that the Steam listing is accurate.

The Steam version will also support Steam trading cards, achievements, cloud saves, controllers ("partial"), and cross-platform multiplayer, which I'm guessing is why an Xbox profile will be required even if you purchase on Steam.

Aside from the Windows 7 thing, the full requirements listed on Steam are identical to those on the Microsoft Store:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit
  • Processor: AMD FX-6000 series | Intel i3 Skylake
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon R9 280 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 80 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 | Intel i5 Skylake
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 570 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 80 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible

Gears 5 comes to Steam on September 9, the same day it releases on the Windows Store, unless you purchase the Gears 5 Ultimate Edition, which will get you into the game four days earlier. And in case you missed it yesterday, check out the new Gears 5 story trailer from Gamescom.

Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.