The Witcher 3 Remastered is a free upgrade, but free doesn’t mean small. CD Projekt Red has confirmed the update alone runs to roughly 45 GB, and the PC listing asks for 70 GB of SSD space. GamesHarbour pulled together the file sizes, the PC requirements, and the launch times so you can clear your drive before September 29.
Witcher 3 Remastered File Size: How Big Is the Download?
The Witcher 3 Remastered file size depends on your platform. CD Projekt Red’s community director shared the official update sizes, and this table shows what to expect:
| Platform | Update size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | About 45 GB | Can vary with installed language packs |
| PS5 | About 45 GB | The PlayStation listing shows 68.57 GB (version 05.000.100) |
| Xbox Series X|S | About 45 GB | Free upgrade, with achievements carrying over |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | About 50 GB | A separate application, not a patch |
The studio hasn’t shared sizes for the GOG or Epic Games Store versions. Expect them to land close to the Steam figure, though that’s an estimate, not a confirmed number.
It also helps to separate two numbers that often get mixed up:
- ◆Download size: the update you pull down, which is about 45 GB on PC, PS5, and Xbox
- ◆Install requirement: the free space the game needs on your drive, which is 70 GB of SSD on PC
Witcher 3 Remastered PC Requirements: The SSD Question
The Witcher 3 Remastered PC requirements are the real reason your SSD needs to know. The listing asks for 70 GB of SSD storage at both the minimum and recommended tiers. Here’s how the two compare:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | 64-bit Windows 11 | 64-bit Windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |
| GPU | GTX 1660 6GB, RX 5500 XT 8GB, or Arc A580 | Not listed in the sources reviewed |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 70 GB SSD | 70 GB SSD |
That’s a big jump from the original. Here’s what changed:
- ◆Storage type: the 2015 release could be installed on a conventional hard drive, while the remaster lists an SSD as part of the baseline
- ◆Graphics baseline: the original ran on hardware like a GeForce GTX 660 or Radeon HD 7870, and the remaster starts at GTX 1660-class performance
- ◆Operating system: Windows 11 in a 64-bit configuration is now listed
Techtroduce calls the SSD requirement one of the more significant changes compared with earlier versions, and GAMES.GG describes 70 GB on an SSD as non-negotiable at both tiers.
How Much Free Space Do You Actually Need?
The 45 GB figure is the update, not the whole game. The original Complete Edition takes up roughly 51 to 57 GB on PC depending on the source, so simple addition would suggest a total near 100 GB. CD Projekt Red’s own 70 GB requirement points to a smaller final footprint, likely because parts of the update replace older files.
Here’s how to prepare:
- ◆On PC: free up at least 70 GB of SSD space, and more if you use extra language packs
- ◆On PS5 and Xbox: keep at least 45 GB free for the update, and check your listing for the larger PS5 figure
- ◆On Switch 2: plan for about 50 GB, since it installs as its own application
- ◆On every platform: leave extra headroom, because consoles and launchers can need working room to unpack files
For context, GameRant points out the remaster is still smaller than some upcoming releases, such as Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, which is expected to need about 200 GB.
The Witcher 3 Remastered on PS5, Xbox & Switch 2
Console players don’t have to worry about SSD requirements, but each platform has its own quirks. Here’s what stands out:
- ◆PS5: the upgrade is free for owners, and the PlayStation listing shows a 68.57 GB download, so check that figure against your free storage
- ◆Xbox Series X|S: the upgrade is free for digital owners, unlocked achievements carry over, and the game is an Xbox Play Anywhere title that gives you a free PC version through the Xbox app
- ◆Xbox physical editions: Pure Xbox says a physical copy might also work, but that isn’t confirmed yet
- ◆Nintendo Switch 2: this is the first native release on the system, and it installs as a separate application of about 50 GB
Switch 2 owners who bought the original Switch version can claim the new version for free, so there’s no need to buy the game again.
Witcher 3 Remastered Release Date and Launch Times
The Witcher 3 Remastered release date is September 29, 2026, and it unlocks worldwide at the same moment, 10:00 UTC. Here’s what that looks like in different time zones:
| Region | Unlock time on September 29 |
|---|---|
| US West Coast (PDT) | 3:00 AM |
| US East Coast (EDT) | 6:00 AM |
| UK (BST) | 11:00 AM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 12:00 PM |
| Malaysia (MYT) | 6:00 PM (calculated from the 10:00 UTC unlock) |
| Japan and South Korea | 7:00 PM |
| Australia (AEST) | 8:00 PM |
The update becomes available at the unlock time, so the download starts when the clock hits, not days earlier. That means a slow connection matters as much as free space, since you can’t play until the 45 GB finishes.
How to Prepare for Launch Day
A few small steps now can save you a stalled download on the 29th. Here’s a simple routine:
- 1Confirm you own a qualifying version: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S owners get the free upgrade, and Switch owners can claim the Switch 2 version
- 2Check your free storage: compare your drive against the numbers above, not just the 45 GB download
- 3Free up space if needed: clear old installs so you have headroom for unpacking
- 4Get ready at the unlock time: since there’s no preload, be near your device when 10:00 UTC arrives
- 5Restart and update: on consoles use Check for Update, and on PC restart Steam, GOG, Epic, or Battle.net if the update doesn’t appear right away
Reaching the release time doesn’t make the game playable instantly, because you still need to finish the download first.
Witcher 3 Remastered Free Upgrade: Who Gets It?
The Witcher 3 Remastered free upgrade covers most existing owners. Here’s who qualifies and what comes with it:
- ◆PC owners: Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store owners get the upgrade automatically
- ◆Console owners: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S owners get it free
- ◆Switch owners: those who own the original Switch version can claim the native Switch 2 version for free
- ◆Saves and progress: existing save files carry over, and cross progression keeps working
- ◆Expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are included at no extra cost, and owners were able to claim them as soon as the remaster was announced
- ◆New buyers: players who don’t own the game still have to buy it, and Battle.net joins the PC storefronts through a partnership with Blizzard
Why Is the Remaster So Big?
The size makes sense once you see how much changed. This is closer to a full technical overhaul than a patch:
| Area | What’s new |
|---|---|
| Visuals | Path tracing, DLSS 4.5 and FSR 4 support, denser foliage, improved lighting, and better HDR |
| Combat | Reworked combat and Sign casting, rebalanced stamina, new execution finishers, and refined monster hitboxes |
| Progression | A rebalanced skill tree that makes hybrid builds more viable on Death March |
| Quality of life | Changes to Roach, looting, menus, mods, and accessibility, plus the transmog fans have requested since 2015 |
The 2022 next-gen update already added ray tracing and faster loading. This remaster goes further, which is why the storage bill is bigger too.
What About Songs of the Past?
Songs of the Past is not part of this download. It’s a separate, paid expansion set in the new region of Letten, and it arrives in 2027. CD Projekt Red is co-developing it with Fool’s Theory, a studio led by Witcher 3 veterans. Since it’s a later release, it won’t add to the storage you need on September 29.
The Road to the Remaster: A Quick Timeline
The announcement moved fast, and the storage details only arrived in the final week. Here’s how it unfolded:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 19, 2015 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launches |
| December 14, 2022 | The next-gen update arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC |
| August 25, 2026 | The remaster is announced at gamescom Opening Night Live |
| September 25, 2026 | CD Projekt Red confirms update sizes and that there’s no preload |
| September 26, 2026 | The PS5 listing shows a 68.57 GB download |
| September 29, 2026 | The remaster unlocks worldwide at 10:00 UTC |
| 2027 | Songs of the Past is scheduled to release |
The original has sold over 65 million units as of May 2026, which helps explain why this upgrade is such a big moment for CD Projekt Red.
Bottom Line: Clear the Space Before Launch Day
The Witcher 3 Remastered is a big upgrade with a big footprint. If you plan to play at launch, here’s your checklist:
- ◆PC: at least 70 GB of free SSD space and Windows 11
- ◆PS5 and Xbox: about 45 GB free, with extra room for unpacking
- ◆Switch 2: about 50 GB free for the standalone version
- ◆Timing: 10:00 UTC on September 29, which is 6:00 PM in Malaysia, with no preload
Nothing here is a surprise if you check your drive now. Do it before the countdown ends, because the download is the only thing standing between you and Geralt’s remastered return.
