For those wanting both old and new game versions.

[swiftdeath60]

I see a lot of people are wanting this update as a separate game. That is something you can do with all steam games. Simple instructions:
1) Create a folder in the games root (common) folder and name it Witcher 3 Original.
2) Open your Witcher 3 game folder in new window.
3) Select all files\folders in the game folder.
4) Right click and scroll down to "copy".
5) Now goto the folder you created and open it.
6) Right click and scroll down to "paste".
7) Now in new Witcher 3 Original folder. Go into folder named "bin". Then go into folder named "x64". In that folder scroll down until you see "witcher3.exe".
8) Right click "witcher3.exe" and scroll down to "send to" scroll to "desktop" to create shortcut.
9) Now rename the shortcut on your desktop to "Witcher 3 Original".
Now when you want to play old version just launch from that new shortcut. Steam will update the other folder to new version. And that version can be launched either from steam play button or you could go into the same folder as original in updated version and make a shortcut to desktop and rename it to "Witcher 3 new" or whatever else you want. Shortcut name does not mater. Where it is pointing to does. Do NOT change the name of the folder steam is using. Also your saves for both games will be in same place. So might have to goto the "load" option in main menu. To load the save for the game version your running. There, now you have the best of both worlds. So everybody can be happy. As Bob says, "Don't worry, be happy". Best to all. Now go enjoy the game.

[s0d0]

Thank you for posting. ;)
Doesn't work on most steam games though...this is more of an exception.

[scaramonga]

Time to back up W3 1.32

Goes without saying, but please take a back up of the whole game folder 'BEFORE' next gen version comes along, you have plenty of time ;) Prevention is better than cure :)

This way, if one does not like what they see, it will save much heartache down the line, and save many a moan on here, hopefully ;)

[dexter]

Good post but this will indeed only work with games that are DRM free, such as The Witcher 3.

Edit: I seem to be incorrect. I thought Steam's DRM prevented this. vv

[swiftdeath60]

I can name, if you wish. At least 87 of the 300+ games in my library that this works with. I usually only do this with early access games because updates often come with issues. But can do with entire fallout series up to 4, The entire Elder Scrolls series, the Witcher 2 and 3, and so many others. The only games I found issues with this are multi player only games. But many games, satisfactory and EGS, as example, have both single and multi player. You can play single player, but not multi. using this method. So this is not an exception, but only one of many examples. Been using this method for a couple of decades now. DRM doesn't matter as long as steam is running. And if steam in game overlay is on. You will even see the pop up when starting.

[TheProNoob]

New update help

I like the new update but i also like to keep the old version so how could i keep it?

[Grimminski]

Make a copy of it on an external drive.

[dexter]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/292030/discussions/0/3601219829882082785/

[Neoyoshi]

Thank you for this.

[TheProNoob]

Originally posted by dexter:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/292030/discussions/0/3601219829882082785/

Is this method safe? don't wanna take chances on breaking my game and is there any other ways to not update the game or should i just live with it the reason i don't want the update is the new graphics its nice and all but i kinda wanna stick to the old one

[wtiger27]

Originally posted by TheProNoob:

Originally posted by dexter:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/292030/discussions/0/3601219829882082785/

Is this method safe? don't wanna take chances on breaking my game and is there any other ways to not update the game or should i just live with it the reason i don't want the update is the new graphics its nice and all but i kinda wanna stick to the old one

You will still have graphic options which can make the game basically what you use now. Also, the extra content added and such, will be optional.

Except if you use mods........

[s0d0]

Originally posted by TheProNoob:

Originally posted by dexter:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/292030/discussions/0/3601219829882082785/

Is this method safe? don't wanna take chances on breaking my game and is there any other ways to not update the game or should i just live with it the reason i don't want the update is the new graphics its nice and all but i kinda wanna stick to the old one

It is completely safe, I advise to copy the game folder into a whole different directory all along, maybe even another harddrive. You can start it from everywhere, so not having it inside the steam folder maze might be less confusing.

And although all the graphical novelties seem to be optional, who knows what trouble that patch might bring. Having an additional copy of your version surely doesn't hurt. ;)

If you use or used mods at any point, you should also do a clean reinstall before you backup your game.

[s0d0]

Originally posted by dexter:

Good post but this will indeed only work with games that are DRM free, such as The Witcher 3.

Edit: I seem to be incorrect. I thought Steam's DRM prevented this. vv

Does it really work with every game? oO

[「OnTheCouch」]

Originally posted by s0d0:

Originally posted by dexter:

Good post but this will indeed only work with games that are DRM free, such as The Witcher 3.

Edit: I seem to be incorrect. I thought Steam's DRM prevented this. vv

Does it really work with every game? oO

it is, tldr its just create a backup of your game, and as other state only work with drm free

[StratosFear]

But after you make the game copy and then go back to playing your first Steam W3 and change the options in the game menu it can mess up one or both instances of your W3. If anyone can verify if that's true.

Maybe better to make at least one copy too of the game to an external storage if the above is true. So when you're done trying out the next gen update on your first Steam W3 you'll have a safe copy of ver 1.32 with all its mods on a thumb drive or whatever external storage that you can transfer to your pc.

[swiftdeath60]

If you look 1 folder up from the "common" folder that your games are installed to you will see a bunch of files with the extension "acf". There is one acf for each game in your common folder. If the acf for a game is missing. Then game won't work. Steam does not rely on DRM. That is why the way I said to do it works. Just don't try to run two different game versions at the same time. And don't try to launch game from a different location unless you also move the acf also. But keep the file\folder structure the same. Also in that structure, one up from "steamapps" folder, you will find a file called "steam.dll". This is also needed for games to run. You can move your games manually to any location. As long as files and folders are kept the same. As an example. I am playing F4 at this time. I had it uninstalled through steam. But had a backup of both the game and the acf file. I created a folder called games and put a copy of steam.dll into it. Then created a folder called steamapps and put acf into it and created a folder called common in steamapps folder and put the F4 game into the common folder. Then launched steam. Steam still sees F4 as uninstalled. But I can still launch and play F4 without any issues. I have done this with Skyrim SE as well. Mainly because of updates that would mess up game mods. Have also done this with several early access games. I can't say it will work for every steam game since I don't own every game YET. But it has yet to fail with any I have done. And as said earlier, been using this method for a couple of decades now. And yes it does work with Witcher games. So if you want to know if it works with a game you have. Give it a try. If you find a specific game it doesn't work with, post it here. I don't have all the answers, only sharing the limited knowledge I do have and am always open to learning new things. Peace to all.