It’s been over a decade since Windows 7 first arrived, and even though Microsoft officially ended its support years ago, it remains one of the most beloved operating systems ever made. Its clean Aero interface, smooth performance, and nostalgic charm still attract users who enjoy retro setups or prefer to run older hardware.
But one common question arises in today’s gaming world: Can modern games like Hollow Knight: Silksong still run on Windows 7?
In this article, we’ll walk through a real-world test to install and play Silksong on Windows 7, including how to bypass Steam’s discontinued support, patch missing DirectX APIs, and use VXKEX (Windows API extensions) to make the game compatible.
Let’s dive in step-by-step and see how far you can push this classic operating system in 2025.
🧩 Step 1: Installing Steam on Windows 7
Before you can even think about downloading Silksong, you’ll need Steam — the world’s largest PC gaming platform. Unfortunately, as of 2024, Steam officially dropped support for Windows 7 and 8, meaning the client refuses to launch normally.
However, there’s a workaround that still allows you to use it.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to the official Steam website and download the Windows installer (
SteamSetup.exe). - Run the installer normally — click Next → Next → Install.
- When Steam tries to update, you’ll see an error: “Steam is no longer supported on your operating system version.”
Don’t panic — this is expected. The Steam client checks your OS version and blocks startup, but we can bypass this check.
⚙️ Step 2: The Steam Workaround – Launching on Windows 7
To get Steam running again, you’ll need to modify a few configuration files. Let’s take this slowly so nothing goes wrong.
Steps:
- Right-click the Steam shortcut on your desktop and choose Properties.
- In the Target field, add this at the end of the path:
-no-cef-sandboxThis disables the Chromium Embedded Framework sandbox that conflicts with older Windows versions. - Click Apply and OK.
- Next, open the Steam installation folder (usually
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam). - Scroll down and find files named
tier0_s.dllandtier0_s64.dll(or similarly named). Delete both. - Relaunch Steam.
If everything went well, Steam should now update again and — surprisingly — start successfully!
You might notice the user interface looking a little broken, with fonts or windows slightly misaligned. That’s normal, as modern Steam uses UI elements designed for Windows 10 and 11. But functionally, it still works.
💳 Step 3: Purchasing and Installing Hollow Knight: Silksong
With Steam running, the next step is to buy or install Silksong. Head over to the Hollow Knight: Silksong Steam page and click Add to Cart.
For safety, it’s recommended to use PayPal instead of entering your card details directly, since Windows 7 no longer receives modern SSL or browser security updates.
Once purchased:
- Go to your Library → Silksong.
- Click Install.
- Choose your installation drive and start the download.
If your PC uses Wi-Fi, make sure the antennas or dongles are properly connected — Windows 7 can be finicky with wireless adapters. In our test, the download occasionally failed, showing a “Corrupt Download” error repeatedly around the same progress point.
When this happens, it’s often faster to transfer game files manually from another working PC.
🔁 Step 4: Manually Transferring Game Files
If Steam’s download keeps failing, there’s a simple manual fix.
- On another PC (running Windows 10/11), install Silksong through Steam but don’t launch it yet.
- Once installed, go to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Copy the entire Hollow Knight Silksong folder. - Paste it into an external USB or SSD.
- On your Windows 7 machine, connect that drive and move the folder into:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ - Open Steam → Settings → Storage → Add Drive, and make sure it points to the correct folder location.
- Relaunch Steam, click Install, and select the same folder.
Steam will verify the existing files instead of redownloading them. Once it finishes validation, you’re ready to play — theoretically.
🚫 Step 5: First Launch Attempt – and the Error
Click Play, and… nothing happens. Steam briefly shows the launch animation, then it stops.
Opening the game’s folder and running the executable manually brings up a dreaded error:
“The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005).”
This message usually means your OS lacks a modern API or hardware driver, especially related to DirectX 11 or 12.
That’s where the magic of VXKEX (Windows 7 API Extensions) comes in.
🧠 Step 6: Installing VXKEX – Extending Windows 7 Compatibility
VXKEX is a lightweight compatibility layer that adds missing API functions so that newer software thinks it’s running on Windows 10. It’s like tricking your system into pretending it’s more modern.
📦 Download VXKEX: https://github.com/vxiiduu/VxKex/releases
Installation steps:
- Download the latest release ZIP file from the GitHub “Releases” page.
- Windows SmartScreen or your browser might flag it as a “dangerous download.” This is expected — the tool modifies system DLLs to extend compatibility.
- Disconnect your internet connection before installation for safety.
- Extract the ZIP, right-click
setup.exe, and choose Run as Administrator. - Once installed, restart your computer.
🔧 Step 7: Configuring VXKEX for Silksong
Now, let’s link Silksong to run under VXKEX compatibility.
- Go to your game’s folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Hollow Knight Silksong - Right-click the game’s
.exefile → Properties. - You’ll now see a new tab named VxKex.
- Enable “Report Windows 10” and “Enable VxKex”.
- Click Apply → OK.
This tells the game to believe it’s running on Windows 10 and helps bypass many startup errors.
Try launching it again.
⚠️ Step 8: Handling DirectX Errors
This time, the game starts loading — but stops again, showing a new message:
“The procedure entry point D3D11On12CreateDevice could not be located in the dynamic link library D3D11.dll.”
This means Silksong relies on newer DirectX 11.3+ or DirectX 12 features unavailable by default in Windows 7.
To fix this, you’ll need to install a Windows 7 platform update that backports newer Direct3D components.
🔗 Download KB2670838 (Platform Update for Windows 7) from Microsoft’s official website:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/platform-update-for-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-2bcd8c15-27f1-cc5b-88dc-8f3d3c4a3d3b
After downloading:
- Run the
.msuinstaller. - Reboot your system once completed.
🎮 Step 9: The Moment of Truth – Launching Silksong on Windows 7
Now comes the exciting part.
Open Steam → click Play again.
This time, the loading window appears, and the game launches successfully.
You’ll see Team Cherry’s intro and a few warnings about autosave.
Congratulations — Silksong is now running on Windows 7!
The frame rate may vary depending on your hardware. On a 4th-gen Intel i5 with HD Graphics 4600 and 8 GB RAM, performance hovered around 30 FPS at 1080p, which is quite impressive for a 2013-era system.
⚙️ Step 10: Performance Tweaks and Stability Tips
Now that you’re in the game, it’s worth adjusting settings for smoother gameplay.
Recommended tweaks:
- Disable VSync to reduce input lag.
- Lower resolution to 720p or even 480p on integrated graphics.
- Cap frame rate to 30 FPS for consistent performance.
- Use controller input instead of keyboard; it’s designed primarily for analog controls.
If the game still crashes, try:
- Turning off the Steam overlay (Settings → In-Game → Uncheck “Enable Steam Overlay”).
- Running the game directly from its folder instead of through Steam.
- Re-applying VXKEX compatibility settings.
🧩 Step 11: Why Steam and Silksong Don’t Support Windows 7
It’s worth pausing to understand why all this effort was needed.
As of January 1, 2024, Valve officially ended support for Windows 7 and 8 because:
- Chromium (the embedded web engine inside Steam) no longer works on older kernels.
- Security updates and encryption standards (TLS 1.3, SHA-256) are missing.
- Newer games require DirectX 12 or Vulkan APIs unavailable natively on legacy systems.
Developers like Team Cherry also rely on modern frameworks such as Unity, Unreal, or custom engines that use newer Windows 10+ APIs.
That’s why Silksong doesn’t “just work” — but with VXKEX and platform updates, you can bridge that gap.
🔒 Step 12: Security and Safety Notes
Running outdated systems like Windows 7 in 2025 carries real risks. Without regular security updates, the OS is vulnerable to malware and unpatched exploits.
Here’s how to stay safe:
- Disconnect from the internet when testing unverified tools like VXKEX.
- Use offline installers and verified sources (Steam, GitHub, Microsoft).
- Avoid logging into sensitive accounts directly from the Windows 7 browser.
For gaming, it’s best to keep your system air-gapped (offline) and transfer files via USB from a modern PC.
💡 Step 13: Troubleshooting Summary
Here’s a quick recap of what you might face and how to fix it:
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Steam won’t start | Unsupported OS | Add -no-cef-sandbox and delete tier0 DLLs |
| Game fails to launch | Missing API functions | Install VXKEX |
| D3D11 error | Outdated DirectX | Install KB2670838 |
| Corrupt download | Wi-Fi instability | Copy files manually |
| Game crashes mid-play | Overlay conflict | Disable Steam overlay |
| Slow performance | Integrated GPU | Lower resolution & FPS |
❓ FAQ: Common Questions About Running Games on Windows 7
Q1: Is VXKEX safe to use?
Yes, if downloaded from the official GitHub page. It modifies system-level DLLs but doesn’t contain malware. Still, always disconnect from the internet during installation.
Q2: Can I use this method for other games?
Yes, VXKEX works with many modern titles that depend on Windows 10 APIs, though not all will launch. It’s trial and error.
Q3: Why not just upgrade to Windows 10?
If your hardware supports it, that’s the best option. But many enthusiasts enjoy preserving Windows 7 for nostalgia or legacy software testing.
Q4: Will Steam eventually stop this workaround?
Possibly. Valve could fully block old clients in future updates, but for now, this method still works as of 2025.
Q5: What if I use AMD or NVIDIA GPUs?
Installing the last available Windows 7 drivers (from 2020–2021) is essential for better DirectX support.
🧾 System Used for the Test
Here are the exact specs from the successful test system:
- OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 (4th Gen, 3.4 GHz)
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4600 (integrated)
- RAM: 8 GB DDR3
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- DirectX Version: 11 (Platform Update KB2670838 installed)
Despite being over a decade old, this configuration handled Silksong surprisingly well.
🎬 Final Thoughts
So, can Windows 7 run Silksong?
Yes — with patience, the right patches, and a few smart tricks.
It’s a testament to how flexible Windows 7 still is, even years after its official death. While not practical for everyday gaming, this experiment proves that with tools like VXKEX and Microsoft’s platform updates, you can breathe new life into older systems.
That said, for security and performance, Windows 10 or 11 remains the ideal environment for modern games. But for retro computing fans, running a new 2025 release on a classic Aero desktop is nothing short of satisfying.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is for educational and archival purposes only. Modifying system files, disabling sandboxing, or using third-party patches can pose security risks. Proceed only if you understand the implications and use a separate, non-critical system for experimentation.
All trademarks and software names belong to their respective owners.
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