Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf Assassin’s Creed Shadows closes while showing “Checking for Memory Add-On” at 93% on PC, Ubisoft’s issue-specific guidance from March 23, 2025, recommends checking or reinstalling the graphics driver and closing third-party software that could affect the game or its saves. Start with those reversible steps. Do not delete save files unless you have made and verified a backup: the separate save/offline workaround described in the same thread is not guaranteed and players reported mixed results.
Start with the fixes Ubisoft recommended for the 93% PC crash
The 93% report concerns a Windows PC launch that reaches the “Checking for Memory Add-On” step after the Ubisoft splash screen and an online connection attempt. In a Steam Player Support reply dated March 23, 2025, Ubisoft developer Ubi-Ineradicable said the issue “mainly occurs when there are problems with GPU drivers” and recommended manually updating or reinstalling them. The reply also advises against third-party software that may affect game or save files. This is dated advice about that report, not proof that drivers cause every startup crash.
- Update the game and launcher. Check Steam or Ubisoft Connect for pending updates, install them, and restart the launcher.
- Check the graphics driver. Use the official support channel for your GPU maker to identify the installed driver and obtain an appropriate update. If the driver is already current or updating does not help, consider reinstalling it using the maker’s instructions.
- Close third-party utilities that interact with the game. Temporarily exit tools that modify, inject into, or manage game or save behavior. This is reversible and follows Ubisoft’s caution; do not remove unrelated software wholesale.
- Restart the PC and try a normal launch. Note whether the game still stops at 93%, crashes at another point, or displays an error.
These steps organize the developer’s advice into a practical order; they are not a guaranteed or personally tested repair. The cited guidance points to checking the driver, not buying a new graphics card.
Protect your saves before considering the workaround
The same Ubisoft reply relays a workaround “Some players have also shared.” It involves deleting save files in a Ubisoft Connect folder and launching offline so the game creates an autosave. Because the procedure deletes files and player replies in the thread report mixed results, treat it as a last resort—not an official, reliable repair. Deletion can cost you progress or settings, and cloud synchronization may complicate recovery.
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The reply gives this Windows path: C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegames<UbisoftConnectID>1081. The ID is account-specific. Do not proceed unless you can identify the right folder and have made a separate backup that you have verified is usable. If you are unsure how to back up or restore the saves, contact Ubisoft Support instead of deleting them.
For readers who accept that risk, the developer-reported sequence is:
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- ENTER FEUDAL JAPAN - Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLES - Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
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- BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME - Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.
- Back up the relevant save folder outside the Ubisoft save directory.
- Delete the save files in the path above.
- Run Steam and Ubisoft Connect, then disconnect the PC from the internet.
- Launch the game offline and play until it creates an autosave in that folder.
- Exit the game, reconnect to the internet, and restart it.
Ubisoft’s reply says players “should be able to play normally” afterward, but the thread does not establish a success rate. A backup reduces the risk; it cannot guarantee that cloud saves or progress will be restored as intended.
Check PC requirements and use the benchmark only if the game opens
Ubisoft’s US PC listing specifies these minimum requirements. Meeting them is a baseline, not a guarantee that the game will launch without errors.
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![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
- Experience an epic, historical action adventure in feudal Japan and become a deadly Shinobi assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open game world in chaotic times
- Sneak as a Naoe to not be discovered, use your agility to confuse your opponents and stretch down your opponents with deadly precision and power as a Yasuke
- Use information as weapons and build your own spy network to have eyes and ears everywhere and find your targets easier and recruit new allies on the go with unique skills to help you with your missions
- Create a fully customizable hideaway for your growing Shinobi league, where you train recruits, craft new equipment and interact with important characters; set the room layout, decoration and accessories yourself
| Component | Ubisoft-listed minimum for the US PC listing |
|---|---|
| Operating system and graphics API | Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB, AMD Radeon RX 5700 8GB, or Intel Arc A580 8GB with ReBAR on |
| Memory | 16 GB dual-channel RAM |
| Storage | SSD with 106 GB storage |
Compare your PC with Ubisoft’s US PC listing; consult the appropriate localized Ubisoft specifications if you are in another region. The SSD requirement is not evidence that buying an SSD fixes this particular crash on a PC that already meets the requirement.
If you can reach the main menu, Ubisoft’s built-in benchmark is at Animus → System → Benchmark. Ubisoft recommends adjusting settings in the Video tab to better match your system, then running the benchmark again and comparing results. This can help assess performance after launch; it cannot diagnose a crash that prevents you from reaching the menu.
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What the patch notes and current support information establish
Ubisoft’s Title Update 1.0.3 hotfix notes, dated April 16, 2025, list PC stuttering fixes, a prologue crash fix, and crash fixes on PlayStation 5. They do not name the “Checking for Memory Add-On” or 93% startup issue, so those fixes should not be treated as confirmation that this symptom was resolved.
Ubisoft later published Title Update 1.1.11 notes dated June 16, 2026. Those later notes show that updates continued, but the available official material does not establish whether this exact crash was fixed in that update or another release. Install the latest available game update and check Ubisoft’s current Shadows support hub, which includes Connectivity and Performance resources, for current guidance.
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