CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Windows 11 will become the minimum supported operating system for Cyberpunk 2077 later this year, dropping Windows 10 support in lockstep with Microsoft officially ending updates for the aging OS on October 14, 2025. The change, detailed in an updated PC system requirements page, means that after nearly five years of running on Windows 10, the sprawling RPG will require gamers to upgrade their operating system or risk being left behind.

This isn't the first time CD Projekt Red has revised Cyberpunk 2077\u2019s hardware demands. The studio famously overhauled system specs in 2023 ahead of the Phantom Liberty expansion, bumping up CPU requirements and moving the game\u2019s baseline to SSDs. But the leap from requiring Windows 10 to mandating Windows 11 is a significant shift\u2014one that closes the door on millions of users still clinging to the older OS.

The New Minimum: Windows 11 or Bust

The updated requirements make Windows 11 the floor for all versions of Cyberpunk 2077 moving forward. Whether you own the base game or the Phantom Liberty expansion, the OS requirement is now Windows 11 64-bit. The previous listings\u2014which allowed either Windows 10 or Windows 11\u2014have been scrubbed from official channels.

Crucially, this isn\u2019t just a recommendation. CD Projekt Red states that future patches and updates will be developed, tested, and supported exclusively on Windows 11. The studio won\u2019t actively prevent the game from launching on Windows 10 immediately after October 14, but performance issues, bugs, or outright crashes on the older OS will not be addressed.

Why the Switch Now?

The timing is no coincidence. Microsoft\u2019s end-of-support deadline for Windows 10 Home and Pro editions lands on October 14, 2025. After that date, no more security updates or technical support will be provided, leaving any internet-connected PC running the OS at increasing risk. CD Projekt Red is simply aligning its own support lifecycle with Microsoft\u2019s.

But there\u2019s more to it than cybersecurity hygiene. Cyberpunk 2077\u2019s engine is built on DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Windows 11 offers deep integration with features like DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and improved thread scheduling for hybrid CPU architectures. Maintaining compatibility with Windows 10 would require ongoing workarounds for an OS that Microsoft itself is abandoning.

\u201cWe\u2019ve been evaluating the player base and the technical landscape,\u201d a CD Projekt Red spokesperson said in a statement accompanying the announcement. \u201cWith Windows 11 adoption rates climbing\u2014especially among gamers\u2014and Windows 10 entering end-of-life, it\u2019s the right moment to focus our resources on the platform where the vast majority of our players are already playing.\u201d

What the Numbers Say About Windows 11 Adoption

According to the latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey, Windows 11 usage among PC gamers has been steadily climbing. As of March 2025, Windows 11 accounts for roughly 55% of Steam users, while Windows 10 still hovers around 40%. That\u2019s a dramatic shift from two years ago, when Windows 10 dominated with nearly 80% share.

Cyberpunk 2077\u2019s own player data reportedly mirrors this trend. CD Projekt Red claims that over 70% of active Cyberpunk 2077 players on PC are already running Windows 11. For them, the change is a non-event. For the remaining 30%, the clock is ticking.

The Impact on Windows 10 Holdouts

Millions of gamers continue to use Windows 10 for various reasons\u2014old hardware that doesn\u2019t meet Windows 11\u2019s TPM 2.0 requirement, a general dislike of Windows 11\u2019s UI, or simple inertia. For them, the October cutoff poses a stark choice: upgrade their OS, upgrade their entire PC, or stick with an unsupported version of Cyberpunk 2077.

There\u2019s a gray area. The game won\u2019t suddenly stop working on Windows 10 the day after deadline. Current installations will likely continue to function, and you may even be able to install older versions via Galaxy or Steam. However, any patch released after October 14 might introduce OS-specific features or checks that break compatibility. Save files could become corrupted if you attempt to move between OS versions without care.

CD Projekt Red won\u2019t be offering refunds or special compensation to players who can\u2019t or won\u2019t migrate. In its FAQ, the studio suggests that Windows 10 users either upgrade to Windows 11 (free for most users) or consider streaming the game via GeForce Now or other cloud services that run Windows 11 servers.

Performance Gains on Windows 11

There\u2019s an upside for those who do make the switch. Cyberpunk 2077 already runs notably better on Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, especially on systems with 12th-gen or newer Intel CPUs. The game\u2019s Engine leverages Windows 11\u2019s Intel Thread Director technology, which optimizes the distribution of tasks between performance and efficiency cores. Redditors and forum posters consistently report smoother frametimes and fewer stutters in crowded areas like Dogtown.

DirectStorage\u2014while only partially implemented in Cyberpunk 2077\u2014also benefits from Windows 11\u2019s storage stack improvements, potentially shaving seconds off load times and reducing texture pop-in. With the OS requirement now official, the studio may finally lean harder into DirectStorage and other DX12 Ultimate exclusives.

A History of Moving Goalposts

When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, its PC system requirements were already a topic of heated debate. The initial specs called for Windows 10, a fourth-gen Intel Core i7 or equivalent, and a GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 580 for 1080p gameplay. Over time, CD Projekt Red released patches that incrementally raised the bar\u2014first recommending an SSD in 2021, then making one mandatory with the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023.

The shift to Windows 11 continues that pattern. Some players have accused the studio of \u201caggressive sunsetting,\u201d forcing hardware and software upgrades to chase an increasingly narrow player base. Others counter that a four-year-old AAA game that\u2019s still receiving content updates is well within its rights to adopt modern standards.

What About Other PC Games?

Cyberpunk 2077 isn\u2019t alone in making Windows 11 a requirement, but it\u2019s the most high-profile single-player game to do so. Competitive shooters like Valorant already demand Windows 11 and TPM 2.0 for anti-cheat integrity. Microsoft\u2019s own first-party titles\u2014Starfield, Forza Motorsport, Hellblade II\u2014launched with Windows 11 as the recommended OS, though none have yet made it a hard floor.

Assuming the trend continues, more older titles receiving major updates may follow suit. Game developers generally want to shed legacy support as quickly as possible to simplify QA and take full advantage of new APIs. With Windows 10 entering its final months, 2026 could see a wave of system requirement updates across the industry.

How to Prepare for the Transition

If you\u2019re still on Windows 10 and want to keep exploring Night City after October 14, here\u2019s what you need to do:

  • Check your PC\u2019s eligibility for Windows 11. Microsoft\u2019s PC Health Check tool can tell you if your system supports the upgrade. The main sticking point is usually TPM 2.0; older motherboards may not have it enabled, or it may need to be activated in BIOS.
  • Consider fresh installation over an in-place upgrade. A clean install of Windows 11 often yields better performance and stability with demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077. Back up your saves and settings first.
  • Plan for hardware if necessary. If your PC doesn\u2019t meet Windows 11 requirements, you may need a new motherboard, CPU, or even full system. Prices for TPM-compatible hardware remain reasonable, but waiting until the last minute could mean paying more.
  • Experiment now. Install Windows 11 on a spare drive or partition and test Cyberpunk 2077\u2019s current build. That gives you months to iron out driver issues or gauge performance on your specific hardware.
  • Cloud streaming as a fallback. GeForce Now Ultimate supports Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with ray tracing, and it runs on Windows 11 in the cloud. If you\u2019re unwilling or unable to upgrade locally, a subscription might be a viable stopgap.

The Community Reacts

On Reddit\u2019s r/cyberpunkgame and Steam forums, the announcement has sparked a mix of resignation and frustration. Many players accept that \u201cOS support can\u2019t last forever,\u201d while others argue that a single-player game shouldn\u2019t require an internet-connected operating system update. One thread titled \u201cI\u2019m not upgrading my OS for one game\u201d garnered over 2,000 upvotes within hours.

Modders, as always, are already discussing workarounds. Some believe that community-created patches could strip out Windows 11 checks or provide alternative implementations of missing features, though these would be entirely unsupported and potentially risky. CD Projekt Red has a history of being mod-friendly, but it rarely engages directly with these kinds of compatibility hacks.

The Bottom Line

October 14, 2025, marks the end of the road for Cyberpunk 2077 on Windows 10. CD Projekt Red\u2019s decision to synchronize its support cutoff with Microsoft\u2019s own deadline is pragmatic, if inconvenient for a minority of players. For most, the transition will be invisible\u2014they\u2019re already on Windows 11. For the rest, the next few months are a countdown to either upgrade or adapt.

Given the game\u2019s revival after the Phantom Liberty expansion and ongoing 2.x patches, it\u2019s unlikely that this move will hurt its player numbers significantly. If anything, it signals that CD Projekt Red intends to keep updating Cyberpunk 2077 well into its fifth year\u2014and that requires leaving legacy operating systems behind.