CD Projekt has just confirmed that a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Songs of the Past, is in development and slated for a 2027 release. Alongside that news, the studio announced updated minimum system requirements aimed at ensuring smooth performance and future‑proof compatibility.

Why the hardware upgrade?

The core reason behind the change is the evolution of Windows itself.

  • The original game shipped with support for Windows 7 and 8, which was discontinued in 2023.
  • Windows 10, once a major target, reached the end‑of‑life in 2025.
  • CD Projekt now sets Windows 11 as the baseline OS, citing the lack of security patches, official platform support, and ongoing GPU driver updates for older Windows versions.

Because of this, every new patch will be tested only on systems that carry official Windows 11 support. As a result, the new minimum specs reflect the modern hardware landscape.

Updated minimum requirements

| Component | Minimum spec | |----------|--------------| | CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or Intel Core i5‑8400 | | GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8 GB | | VRAM | 6 GB | | RAM | 12 GB | | Storage | 70 GB SSD (HDDs not supported) | | OS | 64‑bit Windows 11 |

CD Projekt explained that dropping DirectX 11 in favour of DirectX 12 allows the engine to leverage newer graphical features and hardware capabilities more efficiently.

What does this mean for existing players?

  • “Not supported” does not mean the game will be impossible to run; it simply means CD Projekt will no longer provide official assistance or testing for those configurations.
  • Many players still run Windows 10, and a subset of the community manages the game on Windows 7, so it may still play, albeit without official support.
  • For those on Steam or GOG, an earlier build—The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Classic—is available as a beta option if the hardware falls short.
  • The Epic Games Store does not offer access to older builds, so users on that platform will be unable to revert.

Key takeaways

  • The expansion Songs of the Past is due in 2027.
  • Updated specs mandate Windows 11, a modern CPU, a mid‑range GPU, 12 GB RAM, and SSD storage.
  • DirectX 12 exclusive; HDDs are no longer supported.
  • Existing PCs running Windows 10 or 7 may still run the game, but support is limited.
  • Classic beta builds offer a fallback for older setups on certain stores.

Bottom line

With The Witcher 3 moving into a new era of hardware and operating systems, players will need to upgrade their rigs—or settle for older builds—if they want guaranteed support for the upcoming expansion and a smooth gaming experience.