Call of Duty: NEXT and Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Early Intel, PC Specs, Pre-loading

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel Core i5-8400

Recommended Specifications

The recommended PC specifications to play the Modern Warfare 4 Beta:

• OS: Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update)

• CPU – AMD: AMD Ryzen 5 3600

• CPU – Intel: Intel Core i7-8700

• RAM: 16 GB

• Video Card – AMD: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT

• Video Card – NVIDIA: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

• Video Card – Intel: Intel Arc B580

• Video Memory: 8 GB

• Storage Space: SSD required

• Network: Broadband Internet connection

• Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

Recommended Drivers

• NVIDIA: 610.47

• AMD: 26.7.1

• Intel: 32.0.101.8861

Required for All PC Specifications

• Internet: Broadband Internet connection

• DirectX: DirectX 12 compatible system

• Additional Requirements: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are required to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Other security measures may be enforced. Players can run the Call of Duty Secure Attestation Wizard to verify that their PC meets our security requirements prior to Beta. Click here to learn more at the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot for Call of Duty Support Page.

Note: These specifications apply to the Modern Warfare 4 Beta and may differ from the PC specifications for the full game at launch.

PC Players: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Requirements

PC players: Before Beta begins, make sure TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled. These Windows security features help establish a trusted foundation for RICOCHET Anti-Cheat™, especially for Call of Duty: Warzone players, and make system-level tampering more difficult, helping protect the integrity of the Beta from Day One.

If you have these features already enabled, you're ready for the Beta. If TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot isn’t enabled, you won’t be able to play the Beta online.

Need help getting set up? Watch our step-by-step guide here:

PC: Shader Preloading Comes to the MW4 Beta

QUICK INTEL: Shader Preloading gets a head start on preparing your PC’s shaders before you launch Modern Warfare 4. The result? Less time waiting. More time playing.

PC players: Shader Preloading is coming to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta, helping cut down the wait between launching the game and getting into your first match.

Shaders: What Are They, and Why Do They Matter?

Shaders are small programs that tell your graphics card — or GPU — how to optimally render what you see on screen, from surfaces and lighting to shadows, visual effects, and more.

On consoles, developers can optimize for a standardized hardware configuration. PCs are different, with a huge variety of graphics cards, drivers, and system configurations available. That means certain shaders need to be prepared for your specific PC **before they can do their job **— rendering graphics properly during gameplay.

That’s where Shader Preloading comes in. Shader Preloading prepares these shaders ahead of time, rather than waiting until they’re needed during gameplay. This reduces the amount of shader processing that needs to happen when you play, helping to minimize stutters and other performance hitches.

What to Do Before You Drop into the Beta

With Shader Preloading, the *Modern Warfare 4 *Beta can get a head start by preparing shaders before you launch the game. Moving more of this process outside the game means less time waiting after you boot up, creating a faster route into your first match.

During the Beta, you may see “Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4”* *appear as a notification in your Windows system tray with a “Shader Pre-Loading Will Start” mention, after you’ve installed or updated your game. Don’t be concerned: this is expected behavior. It means MW4 is preloading shaders in advance so they’re ready when you are.

Shader Preloading uses some system resources while it’s running, but its impact is designed to be minimal. You can continue using your PC while the process runs in the background.

Prefer not to use Shader Preloading? This feature can also be disabled in your settings, and you can interrupt the preloading by right-clicking on this process without consequences, as the preloading will resume once you’re in the game.

Shader Preloading Availability During Beta

• Steam: Shader Preloading will be enabled, but a one-time shader compile is still needed on first boot:

• First game boot – precompile shaders (similar to how it works today)

• Game launches after subsequent updates – Shader Preloading takes effect

This means that for the MW4 Beta, Steam players who play during Weekend One will be able to use Shader Preloading for the Weekend Two update. After Modern Warfare 4 launches, the benefit will be fully realized as we move into our regular seasonal update cadence, and players only need to compile shaders once.

Infinity Ward and Beenox have collaborated to bring Shader Preloading to Call of Duty. Bringing the feature to the Beta allows us to see it working across the enormous variety of PC hardware and configurations in the community, giving the teams an opportunity to refine the experience where needed ahead of launch. We know you want to get into game as quickly as possible, and we will keep looking for ways to improve your experience for Steam.

The goal? Less time waiting. More time playing.

Update Requires Restart… Requires an Update

**QUICK INTEL: **For Modern Warfare 4, we’re reducing the number of situations where an update requires a restart. The experience varies by platform during the Beta, with further improvements planned for launch.

If you’ve played Call of Duty, you’ll definitely be familiar with “Update Requires Restart”: You launch the game, an update is applied, and you’re prompted to restart the game before continuing.

Many updates can already be applied without requiring that extra restart, including Playlist Updates, Store Updates, and other smaller updates that happen behind the scenes. With Modern Warfare 4, we’re expanding this capability to include data patches — updates that make changes to the game without requiring a full Title Update — reducing the number of times you’ll need to restart… and see that infamous screen.

There are still some exceptions. If you’re already playing Call of Duty at the same time a new data patch goes live, you will still need to restart for the update to take effect. There are also some platform-specific differences during the Beta. Here’s what to expect:

• PC (Steam): Data patches will not require a restart in most situations. You may still need to restart if a data patch is released while the game is running.

While “Update Requires Restart” isn’t disappearing completely, the goal is simple: fewer required restarts and fewer interruptions between you and your next match.

Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Patch Notes Access

**QUICK INTEL: **Stay up to date throughout the Modern Warfare 4 Beta with the latest Patch Notes from the Infinity Ward Comms team.

Expect updates throughout the Beta covering everything from bug fixes and gameplay adjustments to new maps and modes. Visit the Modern Warfare 4 Patch Notes for the latest intel.

MW4: Changes to the Install and Launch Experience for Beta

QUICK INTEL: For Modern Warfare 4, we’re changing how you install and launch the Beta. The Beta is a separate install from the main Call of Duty experience, allowing you to download and launch it directly from your platform.

This year, for Modern Warfare 4, we’re delivering the Beta outside of the main Call of Duty install.

With this change, players can now access and launch the MW4 Beta directly without needing to cross-launch through the main Call of Duty experience.

Since the *Modern Warfare 4 *Beta is a separate install, it won’t download automatically as part of a regular Call of Dutyupdate. You’ll need to find the Beta on your platform and initiate the download separately.

Preloading the game begins August 20, so be sure to download ahead of time and be ready when the Beta opens. Exact times are listed later in this blog.

Launcher: What Happens at the Modern Warfare 4 Launch?

When Modern Warfare 4 launches later this year, the full game will remain part of the connected Call of Duty experience, alongside Call of Duty®: Warzone™. Keeping the latest premium title and Call of Duty: Warzone™ connected allows the games to share content where possible, helping reduce overall file sizes. It also means that when *Call of Duty: Warzone™*is updated with Season 1, you can easily switch between titles in the same session.

We’re continuing to look for ways to make the overall Call of Duty experience simpler and easier to navigate. Before Campaign Early Access begins, we’ll introduce an updated UI and UX for the Call of Duty install, including the work-in-progress look shown below.

This continues our focus on giving each Call of Duty game its own distinct identity. Modern Warfare 4 launches with an entirely redesigned UI, and you’ll get your first look at part of that new experience during the Beta.

How to Download and Launch the Modern Warfare 4 Beta

Whether you're joining your first Call of Duty Beta or returning for another deployment, getting started is straightforward, no matter your platform of choice.

What do I need to do first?

Before downloading the Beta, make sure you're ready to play.

• Sign in with your Activision Account

Signing in with your Activision Account allows you to:

• Carry progression across supported platforms, letting you continue with the same profile if you play on more than one platform.

• Keep eligible Beta rewards tied to your Activision ID.

• Access earned Beta rewards when Modern Warfare 4 launches.

• Continue your progression if you switch between supported platforms.

Don't have an Activision Account? Create one here before launching the Beta to ensure your progression and eligible rewards are saved.

When is the Modern Warfare 4 Beta Available to Play?

The Modern Warfare 4 Beta is available during two scheduled Beta weekends.

Early Access (Weekend One)

Early Access begins at 11:00AM PT, Friday August 21 for players who have pre-ordered or pre-purchased Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Steam. The Early Access Beta is scheduled to end at 10:00AM PT on Tuesday, August 25.

Here’s how to participate in the Early Access Beta:

• Pre-order or pre-purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 or

Redeem a Beta Code

**TIP: **If you can't find the Beta, confirm it's currently live for your platform, region, and Beta access window. Also, make sure that you’re eligible to play during Early Access via pre-order / pre-purchase or redeeming a Beta Code, or you may not be able to see the Beta on your platform of choice.

How do I redeem a Beta Code?

For further information about redeeming a Modern Warfare 4 Beta Code, read our support article here. Beta Codes are only useful for the Early Access Beta.

Open Beta (Weekend Two)

The Open Beta begins at 10:00AM PT, Friday August 28 for players on Steam. The Open Beta is scheduled to end at 10:00AM PT on Tuesday, September 1.

Here’s how to participate in the Open Beta:

• The Beta is available to all players.

• Download the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta on your platform of choice.

• No pre-order or Beta Codes are needed.

How do I Download and Launch the Beta?

The Modern Warfare 4 Beta is downloaded separately through your platform's digital storefront. You can preload early before a Beta Weekend begins, or at any time during either Beta Weekend. Here’s how to accomplish this:

• Download and install the Beta, then launch the game once the Beta is live.

Can I preload the Modern Warfare 4 Early Access or Open Beta?

Providing you meet the participation criteria for the Early Access Beta (see above), you can pre-load the Early Access Beta starting at 9:00AM on Thursday, August 20.

• All players can preload the Open Beta starting at 9:00AM on Thursday, August 26, on all platforms.

• If you are participating in both Beta Weekends, you only need to download the game once, as content and progression carries over from Weekend One to Two.

How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on Steam (PC)?

Download the Beta:

• Launch Steam.

• Open the Store.

• Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.

• Open the Store page.

• Steam automatically adds the Beta to your Library and begins downloading.

Launch the Beta:

• Open your Steam Library.

• Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.

• Click Play (once the Beta is live).

Frequently Asked Questions about the Modern Warfare 4 Beta

How can I find the Modern Warfare 4 Beta? I can't find it.

• Confirm the Beta is currently live.

• Verify your platform has access during the current Beta window.

• Restart your platform's storefront.

• Search again for Modern Warfare 4 Beta.

• If the Beta is in Early Access, ensure that you’re eligible to play via pre-order / pre-purchase or a Beta Code redemption

The Modern Warfare 4 Beta won’t launch. How can I fix this?

• Check for available updates.

• Restart your PC.

• Confirm the Beta live window has begun.

• Relaunch the application.

Will my Modern Warfare 4 Beta rewards be available in the full game?

Yes. Eligible Beta rewards (detailed below):

• Remain tied to your Activision Account.

• Will be available when Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23.

The following Beta progress does not continue after the Beta concludes:

• Player level (Rank).

• Weapon unlocks.

• Other in-Beta progression.

Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Rewards

Progress through the Beta, level up, and unlock new cosmetic rewards along the way.

• During Weekend One, the first five of the Rewards, up to “Dread Tiger” Operator Skin for Reece, can be unlocked, as the maximum Player Level you can progress to is Level 20.

• During Weekend Two, all eight of the Rewards, up to and including the “Beta Forged” Weapon Blueprint for the ISO Nightshade SMG, can be unlocked. The maximum Player Level you can progress to is increased to Level 30.

These rewards will not be available to earn after the Modern Warfare 4 Beta concludes. All Beta Rewards that you unlock will be available in the full game when it releases on October 23.

Beta Rewards

• Level 4: “Through the Paces” Legendary Emblem

• Level 8: “First Served” Weapon Charm

• Level 12: “Meonjeo” Legendary Weapon Sticker

• Level 16: “Last Charge” Legendary Calling Card

• Level 20: “Dread Tiger” Operator Skin – Reece

• Level 23: “Field Tested” Epic Spray

• Level 26: “Beta Rights” Epic Loading Screen

• Level 30: “Beta Forged” ISO Nightshade Weapon Blueprint

Additional Rewards

There's even more to unlock throughout the Modern Warfare 4 Beta. Keep an eye out for additional cosmetic rewards earned through a variety of activities, including:

• Default Items (immediately available): 3 Emblems, 3 Calling Cards, 1 Spray, and 3 Loading Screens.

• \ Challenge Reward: \ Charm.

• Combat Record Rewards: \ Weapon Blueprint, Emblem, and Charm.

• \ Challenge Reward: .

Call of Duty: NEXT and Modern Warfare 4 Beta Twitch Drops

Tune in and earn rewards! Link your Activision account to your Twitch® account, then watch Call of Duty: NEXT* *and participating Modern Warfare 4 Beta streams to earn cosmetic content awarded in-game at the launch of Modern Warfare 4:

Call of Duty: NEXT Twitch Drops

• **“Gas Ready” Emblem **(for watching 15 minutes)

• **“Rapple Repel” Calling Card **(for watching 30 minutes)

• **“Ghost Helmet” Charm **(for watching 45 minutes)

Modern Warfare 4: Beta Twitch Drops (not shown)

• **“Get Tactical” Emblem **(for watching 15 minutes)

• **“Clearing House” Calling Card **(for watching 30 minutes)

• **“Action Ready” Charm **(for watching 45 minutes)

For further details on linking your Twitch account, click here.

Development Credits

*Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 *development is led by Infinity Ward and will be available globally on XBOX Series X|S, PlayStation 5® and PC via Steam on Friday, October 23, 2026.

*Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 *for the PC delivers a fully optimized experience, led by Infinity Ward in partnership with Beenox, for Steam.

Additional development in alphabetical order: Activision Central Design, Activision Central Technology, Activision QA, Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Demonware, High Moon Studios, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, and Treyarch.

** Actual launch date(s), times, and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See *www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Online multiplayer subscription may be required for MP Beta.

©/TM/® 2026 Activision Publishing, Inc.

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*For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com and *, and follow @Activision and @CallofDuty and @InfinityWard on X, Instagram, and Facebook. For Call of Duty Updates, follow @CODUpdates on X.

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