The Witcher 3 Now Requires Windows 11 Ahead of 2027 Expansion

Key Takeaways

• The Witcher 3 will require Windows 11 as minimum OS after the next update
• SSD storage is now mandatory, with HDD support dropped entirely
• A new expansion called Songs of the Past is confirmed for 2027

CD Projekt Red confirmed today that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will receive a new expansion called Songs of the Past, targeting a 2027 release. But the bigger immediate news for players: the studio is updating the game's system requirements in ways that will lock out anyone still running Windows 10.

When the next update goes live, Windows 11 becomes mandatory. So does an SSD. DirectX 11 support is gone. For a game originally released in 2015 with Windows 7 support, this marks a significant shift in what hardware CD Projekt will officially support.

The New Minimum Requirements

Here's what you'll need to run The Witcher 3 after the update:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or Intel Core i5-8400
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
• VRAM: 6 GB
• RAM: 12 GB
• Storage: 70 GB SSD
• OS: 64-bit Windows 11

Compare that to the original 2015 requirements: an Intel Core i5-2500K, a GeForce GTX 660, 6 GB of RAM, 50 GB of HDD space, and Windows 7. The RAM requirement has doubled. The storage requirement jumped 20 GB and now demands solid-state. The CPU and GPU requirements have leaped forward by several generations.

Why Windows 11 Is Now Mandatory

The Windows 11 requirement comes down to Microsoft's support calendar. Windows 7 and 8 support ended in 2023. Windows 10 reached end-of-life in 2025, with some exceptions. CD Projekt's reasoning is practical: without ongoing security updates, official platform support, and continued GPU driver support, the studio says it will no longer test its games on Windows 10.

This has a cascading effect. Only CPUs and GPUs with official ongoing Windows 11 support will be supported by CD Projekt. If your hardware can't run Windows 11, it won't be supported for The Witcher 3 going forward.

DirectX 12 and SSD Requirements

CD Projekt is also dropping DirectX 11 support. The studio says moving to DX12 exclusively "allows us to support ongoing technical improvements and modern hardware more effectively." This isn't surprising. DX12 offers better multi-threading and lower-level hardware access that developers increasingly rely on.

The SSD requirement reflects where the industry has moved. The Witcher 3 originally shipped when most gaming PCs still used mechanical hard drives. In 2025, SSDs are standard. CD Projekt isn't being coy about the reason: SSDs are just faster. The studio's messaging suggests this isn't optional. HDDs won't be supported at all.

What About Existing Players?

"Not supported" doesn't mean "won't run." CD Projekt's updated requirements are about what they'll officially test and troubleshoot. If you're running Windows 10 on older hardware, The Witcher 3 may still launch and play. But you're on your own if something breaks.

According to Steam's Hardware and Software Survey, a significant portion of PC gamers still use Windows 10. These players will face a choice: upgrade their OS, accept unsupported status, or stop playing when updates arrive.

Songs of the Past: What We Know

The expansion announcement itself was brief. Songs of the Past is expected sometime in 2027. No story details, no gameplay reveals, no pricing. Just confirmation that new content is coming and that the studio is preparing the technical foundation now.

CD Projekt said the updated requirements "reflect how hardware capabilities and software usage have evolved." The studio also stated: "These adjustments ensure the game meets modern technical standards while we push the boundaries of what is possible in the Northern Kingdoms."

Community Reaction

Response has been mixed. Some players welcome the commitment to modernizing the game's technical foundation. Others are frustrated by the Windows 10 cutoff, particularly those whose hardware doesn't officially support Windows 11. The SSD requirement is less controversial. Most gaming PCs sold in the past five years include one by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will The Witcher 3 still work on Windows 10 after the update?

Possibly, but CD Projekt won't test or officially support it. You may encounter issues with no guarantee of fixes.

When do the new system requirements take effect?

With the next game update. CD Projekt hasn't announced a specific date yet.

Can I play The Witcher 3 with an HDD?

HDDs will no longer be officially supported. The game may still run, but 70 GB SSD storage is now the stated minimum.

When does Songs of the Past release?

CD Projekt is targeting sometime in 2027. No specific date has been announced.

Why is CD Projekt dropping DirectX 11 support?

The studio says DX12 exclusivity allows for ongoing technical improvements and better support for modern hardware.

Source: PCGamer latest