GTA 5 Free PC Upgrade Pre-Load Now Available on Steam

Days ahead of its official release on March 4 and hours after making it available for pre-load on the Rockstar Games Launcher, Rockstar Games has announced that the free upgrade to PC version of Grand Theft Auto 5 is now available for pre-load.

This exciting new version, which is the PC equivalent of the Grand Theft Auto 5: Expanded and Enhanced variant released on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X three years ago, brings a host of improvements and new features, some of which are exclusive to the PC platform.

For those who don't know, those who already own the PC version of GTA 5 on Steam or the Rockstar Games Launcher can nab this upgrade absolutely free, provided that your current set-up can support it.

With a pre-load size of approximately 89GB, you'll want to make sure you have enough space on your SSD before initiating the download. Steam users should find that the pre-load starts automatically upon logging in, but if you need to manually begin the process, it's a simple matter of navigating to your Library, selecting Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced, and choosing the PRELOAD option.

For those concerned about their progress in the current version of the game, Rockstar has implemented a comprehensive migration system.

How to Migrate to GTA V Enhanced Edition

Starting today, players can begin transferring their Story Mode progress. This process can be initiated directly from the Pause Menu in the now-renamed Legacy version of GTA V on PC. It's worth noting that while you can update your Story Mode Save Game multiple times, you're only allowed to migrate your save to the upgraded version once.

When it comes to Grand Theft Auto Online, players will be able to migrate their character progress to the Enhanced Edition starting on the launch day, March 4. This one-time transfer process includes all your hard-earned assets: Characters, GTA$, Progression, Stats, Vehicles, Properties, Weapons, Clothing, and even Player-Created Jobs. It's important to understand that this migration is irreversible so make sure you're ready to make the leap when the time comes.

For those who prefer to stick with the current version of the game, Rockstar has you covered. It has renamed the existing PC version to GTA V Legacy and it will continue to receive support.

As with any major game update, it's on you to check if your system can handle the new version. Rockstar advises all players to review the minimum system requirements for the Enhanced Edition before upgrading.

Unfortunately, for those who purchased the game through the Epic Games Store, there's no word yet on when pre-loading will be available. However, it's likely that this information will be announced soon, given the rapidly approaching launch date.

It's an exciting time to play in Los Santos at the moment. Aside from the upcoming free graphical overhaul, Rockstar has been teasing the next content update for GTA Online over the past week, and something tells us that it's going to be huge. For now, you can check out the latest weekly update for GTA Online to learn more about the best ways to make money and get free in-game stuff.