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On PC, switching to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s Classic version depends on your storefront: Steam and GOG Galaxy provide a Classic branch, while CD PROJEKT RED’s support instructions say Epic Games Store does not offer rollback. The labels need a date-aware note: CD PROJEKT RED released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on September 29, 2026, so “Next-Gen” is not automatically another name for the current Remastered release. These steps are for PC storefronts; they are not console edition-switching instructions.
Choose the right version and platform first
CD PROJEKT RED’s official support instructions document how to select an older PC version through Steam or GOG Galaxy. They identify the older branch as Classic; an October 1, 2026 hotfix note explicitly refers to Classic (1.32). The support page’s version-switching instructions were last updated four months before this article’s October 2026 date, so launcher labels and available versions may have changed. Check the current options in your launcher if they differ from the paths below. CD PROJEKT RED’s rollback instructions and its October 1, 2026 hotfix note identify the relevant Classic branch.
- Steam on PC: Select CLASSIC to use the older branch; select None to return to the newest available version.
- GOG Galaxy on PC: Select Classic under Beta channels, then choose a version. To return to the latest version, set Beta channels to Disabled.
- Epic Games Store on PC: The cited support instructions say rollback is unavailable; the store supplies only the latest available version.
- Console: The sources provide no step-by-step console procedure for selecting Classic versus a newer edition. Do not look for the PC beta menus on a console.
There is also a naming distinction. The 2022 Next-Gen update was version 4.0, with improvements for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. CD PROJEKT RED later announced Remastered for release on September 29, 2026. The publisher says Remastered is a free upgrade for owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and for Switch 2 players who own the original Switch game. On supported platforms, it replaces Complete Edition and includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Its announcement describes changes to visuals and performance, combat, animations, skill progression, interface, and cross-platform mod support. Those release details do not establish that every platform exposes the same version choices. The 2022 Next-Gen update announcement and the Remastered release announcement describe the separate releases.
Switch to Classic or back on Steam
- In your Steam Library, right-click The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and choose Properties.
- Open Betas.
- To switch to the older version, select CLASSIC from the beta participation menu. Steam will apply the branch change.
- To return to the newest available version, reopen the same menu and select None.
These are the menu labels in CD PROJEKT RED’s support instructions. If the choices are absent or named differently, check the current support page and Steam listing rather than assuming the branch is available for every edition or at all times.
#1 Best Overall
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Switch versions in GOG Galaxy
- Open Installed in GOG Galaxy and select The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
- Choose Manage installation → Configure.
- Under Beta channels, select Classic.
- Turn off automatic updates, choose the version you want, and confirm.
- To return to the latest version, go back to the same settings and set Beta channels to Disabled.
GOG Galaxy’s version selector and the automatic-updates setting are part of the support page’s instructions. Because the available version list can change, use the options currently shown in your installation.
What Epic Games Store and console players can do
Epic Games Store
CD PROJEKT RED’s cited support guidance says Epic Games Store provides only the latest available version and does not offer a rollback option. The Steam and GOG Galaxy branch steps do not apply to Epic.
Rank #2
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- 1205504
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PS5, Xbox, Switch, and Switch 2
The available official instructions do not give a console procedure for choosing Classic instead of a newer version. They also do not establish that console editions have PC-style beta branches. Use the version-management options provided by your console platform or contact CD PROJEKT RED support if you need help with a specific edition.
For PS4-to-PS5 progress, there is a separate supported save-transfer process; it transfers a save rather than switching the console edition. Update the PS4 game to version 4.04, connect through My Rewards to your CD PROJEKT RED account, and make a save that displays a cloud icon. On the PS5 Next-Gen version, connect to the same account; the uploaded save should appear under Load Game. Follow the full official save-transfer instructions if you need to move progress between those generations.
Rank #3
- If you buy this game, you will receive a free next-gen update on December 14th!
- Play as a highly trained monster slayer for hire.
- Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth and complexity.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game of the Year edition brings together the base game and all the additional content released to date.
Protect your saves and understand compatibility
CD PROJEKT RED warns that only the latest version is fully compatible because it includes the newest improvements, fixes, and changes. Its support instructions do not say that changing branches necessarily deletes or damages saves. As a precaution, make a separate backup of important saves before changing versions; treat that as a safety measure, not as a claim that save loss is expected.
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