Forget Windows 7 if you want to play Cyberpunk 2077

[IronsteffL]

EDIT: If you use Windows 7 and have crashes, first take a look at the marked answer below and follow the steps -shhfiftyfive shared with us. If it still doesn't work, you can still read on!

Well, they finally did it. Cyberpunk 2077 was the reason I changed to Windows 10, because I just couldn't get it to run in a stable state on Windows 7 (I still played about 60 hours on 7, but was continuously interrupted by game- and driver-crashes). I'm not apologizing - I had my reasons to stick to Windows 7 and I still do, and I still think Windows 10 is a load of crap compared to 7, but the fact is: Windows 10 finally helped me to get the game running, and boy, does it run. If you are still having problems with the game and still hope to get it running on Windows 7, you probably shouldn't hold your breath for it.

I had the mirror-crashes, I had the CDPR-logo-crashes, I had simple CTDs, I had black screens after changing my settings, complete driver lockups and PC freezes, had to disable overclocking and underclocked instead, changed my settings a thousand times and even ditched my gamepad (I prefer MASSIVELY) to get it to run, but nothing worked in the long run, just for about 30-90 minutes. But since I wanted to play Flight Simulator, the Mafia Remake or Death Stranding as well some time and didn't have to pay a single cent, I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro - and it works. I'm running the game with almost everything on high (1080p) with a Ryzen 2700X and a RX 580. I can play at 60fps if I lower some settings, but since I don't care much about that, I stick to 30fps and high settings and can finally enjoy a beautiful, stable game without the fear of losing my progress (or damaging my hardware, if I think back to the white-noise-crashes I had).

We all know the game was rushed to release, so there probably wasn't enough time to check compatibility to Windows 7 at the expense of 10 - which works almost flawlessly for me. I was so happy someone promised a version for 7 when it simply wasn't required anymore (no support - no requirement), but the fact is that the game can have massive problems without the native support of DX12, be it performance- or stability-wise, or simply a fullscreen-mode (which I bet would have helped against the driver-crashes at least).

So if you are hesitant about the change to Windows 10... I understand; been there, done that. And I understand the anger from stupid comments by people who have no idea or capability to imagine your reasons to stick to 7 (of which there are many) and you WILL be legitimately furious about the new OS. But the fact is, if you want to play the newest games without pulling out all of your hair one at a time, Windows 10 will save you a lot of trouble.

Maybe it helps someone to make the jump. And no, I don't get paid by Microsoft and I haven't bought anything from them since Windows 7 Ultimate and another Xbox-Pad in 2010.

[XelmuT]

I agree with you completely. Initially, I also played using the Win7. The game crashed once an hour stably, maybe more often. I switched to Win10 - NO CRASH!!! And the fps is more, 10+, compared to the WIN7. P> S> Yeterday I wrote about the same , only in Russian https://steamcommunity.com/app/1091500/discussions/0/2996548176281407060/

[nnhood]

I'm trying to upgrade to 10, but am having some kind of issue where it rolls back while installing, but yeah if I can get it to work I think it will fix Cyberpunk.

I do IT for a living and usually after I put 10 on somebody's machine i install Classic Shell / Open Shell it's now called, basically makes 10 look like 7... so visually it's not as bad for them...

I wonder the ratio of people who have 7 over 10 and that in relation to problems/crashes with the game...

Thanks,
Matt

[AvrorA]

I've managed to run it on W7. With issues but Im at Lizzi's now.

[Ilpperi]

You were still on windows 7? Welcome to the future. Now you are in 2020s. How does updating from 2009 feel?

[Ilpperi]

I read the reasons why people use Windows 7. Don't know why to bother with any of those on a home pc unless you require specific software which doesn't have windows 10 support. Even the usage data thing feels ridiculous worry. If you are using any app owned by Facebook, any Google software or basically any app it's just nitpicking to worry about your PC usage data. It's not like Google and Facebook haven't already collected more data on you than any windows ever would.

[IronsteffL]

Originally posted by Ilpperi:

You were still on windows 7? Welcome to the future. Now you are in 2020s. How does updating from 2009 feel?

Like downgrading to 2007 tbh.

[Ihateeverybody]

Thanks OP. Your post gave me the courage to upgrade. It was actually fast (hour and half all told) and best of all it kept my desktop (The Smartphone UI, being my main point of contention).

I don't regret staying with Windows 7 as long as I did. Because everything I heard and read says that earlier was a nightmare. Frankly I felt like South Parks Wendy at the end of The Hobbit Episode, upgrading her Picture, Like Lyta from Babylon 5 putting on a Psycorp uniform.

I have only played for 30 minutes but Yeah, you can really tell the difference. CP2077 is much more fluid, I turned my settings from low to high and everything so far is good. I am not saying life is great. But I just might get over my crippiling save every 5 minutes anxiety.

[-shhfiftyfive]

you guys might be kicking yourself for upgrading your OS after you hear what i have to say...



so, if you are running windows 7, the answer i have found (after 100 hours played with tons of game crashes and no steam overlay/screenshots)

the dx12 files are in a subfolder. copy them and place them in the parent folder where the game exe is.

this magically made my steam overlay work, and stopped ALL those frequent game crashes ever since...

[Oparator Stalker]

Originally posted by Ilpperi:

I read the reasons why people use Windows 7. Don't know why to bother with any of those on a home pc unless you require specific software which doesn't have windows 10 support. Even the usage data thing feels ridiculous worry. If you are using any app owned by Facebook, any Google software or basically any app it's just nitpicking to worry about your PC usage data. It's not like Google and Facebook haven't already collected more data on you than any windows ever would.

has nothing to do with it, WIN10 is not all that, it is tablet software. WIN7 is still in a demanding state, this is WHY WIN7 was brought back with the use of the "Edge", and 8 was readied with the Edge as well because 7 and 8 are still going strong, or Microsoft would not bothered. Why spend that extra money to update 7 or 8 so they can stay in the game if 10 is all that. Stop already....

[Oparator Stalker]

I have WIN7 on one HD and WIN10 on the other. I spend 99% working out of WIN7, so I feel you. I just keep the WIN10 HD in case I have games that do not work, or work well in WIN7. So really, my WIN10 HD only has 3 games on it, verses WIN7 which is loaded.
My crash issues is related to the UI switch. If I go into inventory, or into to sell or buy stuff, some times it will be ok, other times it CTD. So I feel ya there. And it is funny, because it tends to play better in 7.. I don't get it...

[Oparator Stalker]

Originally posted by -shhfiftyfive:

you guys might be kicking yourself for upgrading your OS after you hear what i have to say...



so, if you are running windows 7, the answer i have found (after 100 hours played with tons of game crashes and no steam overlay/screenshots)

the dx12 files are in a subfolder. copy them and place them in the parent folder where the game exe is.

this magically made my steam overlay work, and stopped ALL those frequent game crashes ever since...

Like what? Copy the folder itself, or the dx files?

[-shhfiftyfive]

Originally posted by warcatt00:

Originally posted by -shhfiftyfive:

you guys might be kicking yourself for upgrading your OS after you hear what i have to say...



so, if you are running windows 7, the answer i have found (after 100 hours played with tons of game crashes and no steam overlay/screenshots)

the dx12 files are in a subfolder. copy them and place them in the parent folder where the game exe is.

this magically made my steam overlay work, and stopped ALL those frequent game crashes ever since...

Like what? Copy the folder itself, or the dx files?

the files. (the folder is already there)

[Oparator Stalker]

Originally posted by -shhfiftyfive:

Originally posted by warcatt00:

Like what? Copy the folder itself, or the dx files?

the files. (the folder is already there)

Where? What directory are they in? The game?

[Oparator Stalker]

Originally posted by -shhfiftyfive:

Originally posted by warcatt00:

Like what? Copy the folder itself, or the dx files?

the files. (the folder is already there)

I am not seeing this, even tho everything is updated, the DXiag says win 7 is still using DX11, and them files I can find. Not 12. So with out knowing what directory, the infomation is click bait. Because I see nothing that says DX12. Not even in the search..

[-shhfiftyfive]

Originally posted by warcatt00:

Originally posted by -shhfiftyfive:

the files. (the folder is already there)

I am not seeing this, even tho everything is updated, the DXiag says win 7 is still using DX11, and them files I can find. Not 12. So with out knowing what directory, the infomation is click bait. Because I see nothing that says DX12. Not even in the search..

https://imgur.com/a/UyqEu8z