Hi guys. I have a new computer with Windows 8.1 and I'm trying to get this game working at optimal settings.

Here are my specs:

CPU: Intel 4700HQ
GPU: On-board Intel integrated 4600
Nvidia GTX 880M
RAM: 24 GB DDR5


Here is my history in trying to resolve this problem:

1.) Bought game, it wouldn't start because it said DirectX was missing a file so I downloaded the last Direct9x update from Microsoft which fixed that issue.

2.) Then error message stating system does not meet min requirements started popping up so I did the -dontForceMinReqs bypass which worked.

3.) Then I realized the game wasn't allowing me to change the texture settings. I downloaded the texture mod which allows high textures even with the -dontForceMinReqs bypass being used. That worked.

4.) Finally I started playing the game and I realized the FPS was chugging on the higher settings. I think it means the game isn't using the Nvidia GPU. I tried disabling the Intel GPU from the Device Manager but that just made the FPS suffer more (not sure why since it should have been using the Nvidia). I also deleted all my LogMeIn data since I know that sets up a mirror driver that can be misread by the game. I also changed witcher.exe to be used with the Nvidia card in the Nvidia control panel. Still no dice. The only fix I couldn't try is the regedit fix for changing DirectDraw/Direct3D emulation settings since I don't see the EmulationOnly SoftwareOnly items in the Windows 8.1 registry.

So, here are my questions:

1.) Can the emulation settings be changed in regedit in Windows 8.1? If so, how? I would like to change this and see if it allows me to start the game without the -dontForceMinReqs bypass.
2.) Any other ideas on how to get the game to use my Nvidia card properly? Is the card too new to work properly? I have all the current drivers. Will changing the emulation settings fix this too?

I don't know what I am talking about here for the most part. Just going off what I have read online over the past couple hours.

Hmm, your problem may be connected to how Nvidia integrated the discrete GPU into the graphics processing architecture. They're using a technology called Optimus. It switches seamlessly between Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) and the Nvidia GPU, depending on what an application is trying to do (e.g. DirectX calls should activate the GPU).
Unfortunately you cannot completely deactivate the IGP, as the output of the final picture is always done via the IGP (by sharing a frame buffer) even if it was calculated by the discrete GPU. It's part of making the whole process seamless.
This could be the cause of The Witcher not recognizing your discrete GPU correctly and forcing you to use "-dontForceMinReqs" to start the game.

You could try convincing your system to always use the GPU for processing. If you're lucky that's enough for The Witcher to estimate your graphics performance correctly, thus being able to start it normally.

Idea 1: Tell Optimus what to use (It's similar to what you've already tried, but easy and therefore worth a shot)
- Open Nvidia control panel
- Go to "Desktop menu" and choose "Add Run with graphics processor to context menu" and apply settings
- To start The Witcher, right-click its shortcut and choose "run with graphics processor" and from there choose Nvidia

Idea 2: Try using your discrete GPU all the time
- Open NVIDIA control panel
- Manage 3D settings => Global settings tab => Power Management Mode settings
- Select "Prefer Maximum Performance"
- Further in the Preferred Graphic Processor settings, change from "Auto select" to "High Performance NVIDIA Processor"

Idea 3: Search the BIOS for options to set the primary graphics adapter
This heavily depends on what Motherboard and BIOS you've got installed. Some offer options to enable/disable graphic adapters or choose the primary and secondary one, but most of the time they don't; Still, worth a try.
Reboot your system and hit the proper key before Windows starts to enter your BIOS. (Google for your laptop model and "enter BIOS" to find out how, it differs). Only change settings related to what we were talking about and write down the previous settings to change it back if it doesn't work.
"Save and exit" the BIOS to reboot your system.

Can't check the emulation settings right now, as I don't have access to a Win 8.1 system at the moment.

Thanks for the quick response DeMignon. I've already done both of your suggestions #1 & #2. No difference with either. I am not experienced with BIOS so I am leaving that as my last option. I did try disabling the Intel GPU in the Device Manager window and that had no affect as well.

I'm really thinking that the emulation settings could be the trick.