It’s been over a decade since The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt first launched, and Geralt of Rivia is finally getting one last adventure. But for millions of PC players, that farewell tour may come with an unexpected barrier: their operating system.
A New Chapter, A New Requirement
CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that the upcoming Songs of the Past expansion — the game’s third major DLC, co-developed with Fool’s Theory — will drop support for Windows 10. The new minimum system requirements now list Windows 11 as the only supported operating system.
The expansion, scheduled for a 2027 release, will also leave behind last-generation consoles, skipping PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch entirely.
Why Is CDPR Doing This?
The decision is not arbitrary. CD Projekt Red cites two key factors:
Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Without ongoing security updates, continuing to support the OS becomes increasingly difficult and risky.
NVIDIA is also planning to stop releasing GPU drivers for Windows 10 in 2026. This means even if the game runs, performance and stability could degrade over time.
“Windows 11 will be the minimum required OS for both The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 following Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.”
What This Actually Means for Players
Here’s the nuance that many fans initially missed: the game may still run on Windows 10.
CD Projekt Red clarified that the change means the studio will no longer test or officially support the game on Windows 10 going forward. As one CDPR representative explained:
“This change does not mean that the game will not run on Windows 10. It means we cannot ensure that it will. Our goal is not to take something away from you. Our goal is to give you what is best the best way we can.”
In other words: it might work, but if it doesn’t, you’re on your own.
The Full System Requirements
The DLC also brings other technical upgrades. The minimum requirements now include:
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | 64-bit Windows 11 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel Core i5-8400 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB |
| VRAM | 6 GB |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 70 GB SSD |
The game will also run exclusively on DirectX 12, dropping support for older DirectX 11 renderers.
How Many Players Will Be Affected?
According to GameRant, the change could affect around 7 million players — roughly one in nine Witcher 3 players who still use Windows 10.
What Are Your Options?
If you’re still on Windows 10 and worried about compatibility, CD Projekt Red has offered a safety net:
Players will be able to revert to the current (Classic) version of The Witcher 3 at any point, should future updates or the DLC prove unstable on Windows 10.
You can select this version in the Beta versions section of the game’s Steam properties.
Fan Reaction
The announcement has sparked significant backlash. One thread on the Witcher 3 subreddit read:
“Mandatory Windows 11? Really? Either CDPR got a fat check from MicroSlop, or they don’t give a sh*t about players at all.”
Many PC gamers remain on Windows 10 for various reasons — from performance concerns with Windows 11 to hardware that simply can’t support the upgrade.
Also, Read
- New Co-Op Witcher Game Details Leaked – Create Your Own Witcher in 1230
- The Witcher 3 Hits Another Big Milestone Ahead of 2027 DLC – 65 Million Sold
- The Witcher 4 DLC Hopes Dealt Bitter Blow, But It’s Actually Great News
The Bottom Line
Songs of the Past promises to be a worthy farewell for Geralt of Rivia. But for millions of players still on Windows 10, it may also be a farewell to the game itself — unless they’re willing to upgrade their OS or stick with the classic version.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past is scheduled for release in 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.