By Jacob Miller | May 29, 2026
The History of Requirements Evolution
This isn't the first time CDPR has set the bar high for running Cyberpunk 2077 on PC. The developer updated the minimum system requirements twice before, first in February 2022 when the support for Windows 7 was removed, and again in September 2023 when a more sweeping overhaul raised the requirements across the board for storage, RAM, CPU, and video memory.
The latest modification continues the trend of slowly phasing out compatibility as older operating systems reach the end of their supported life. Microsoft's official support for Windows 10 was supposed to end on October 14, 2025, but Extended Security Updates for the operating system will continue to be available until October 13, 2026. That said, CDPR confirmed that it will not be testing any future Cyberpunk 2077 updates on Windows 10, no matter how long that extended support window lasts.
Why Windows 11 is a Unique Problem
The decision to set Windows 11 as the minimum required operating system creates a strange and frustrating situation for a section of the player base. For many users, the upgrade to Windows 11 is not just a software installation like past operating system changes. Demanding hardware requirements for Microsoft's latest operating system include support for the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 security microchip and Secure Boot functionality.
Many high-end PCs built in the late 2010s and early 2020s fail these checks even though they are perfectly capable of running Cyberpunk 2077 from a raw performance perspective. This means that millions of devices that meet or even surpass the hardware requirements of the game could find themselves unable to run future versions of the title simply because their processors aren't on the Windows 11 compatibility list.
Impacted Player Choices
Players who are unable to upgrade to Windows 11, but still want to continue playing Cyberpunk 2077, don't have many options. CDPR didn't definitively say future updates to the game will not run on Windows 10, just that the studio will no longer be testing them on that OS. This means players who opt to stay with Windows 10 could see future updates continue to work, but with no official promise of compatibility or support. Players affected by this can also choose to downgrade to an older version of the game before the requirement change to access the content they already own without upgrading their operating system.
Hints about future updates
The gaming community has not missed the timing of the change to system requirements, with CDPR repeatedly indicating in recent years that it was finished updating Cyberpunk 2077, only to then release more content or patches. The decision to update the minimum requirements now, in addition to a similar update to the requirements for The Witcher 3 after the announcement of the Songs of the Past expansion on May 27, has led many observers to speculate the studio may be preparing further updates for the game.
Raising the operating system requirement ahead of a new update would make sense as a preparatory measure, especially if that update uses features or optimisations that are specific to Windows 11.
The Bigger Picture: Windows 10's Decline
The decision to stop supporting Windows 10 aligns with the broader trends in the PC gaming market. Almost a year ago, Windows 10 lost its crown as the number one operating system when Windows 11 took over in total user share. With the Windows 11 install base expanding and the percentage of gamers running Windows 10 shrinking, the commercial and logistical case for supporting the older OS continues to diminish.
For CDPR, aligning Cyberpunk 2077's requirements with the state of the market is a pragmatic decision, even if it means that players with hardware that falls in the gap between meeting the game's performance requirements and meeting Windows 11's compatibility requirements will be inconvenienced.
