The Modern Warfare 4 beta opens August 21 for preorder holders, and the last thing you want is to hit play and get a security error because TPM 2.0 is disabled. Activision published the full PC spec list and platform requirements on August 19, 2026, so there's no excuse for being caught off guard. Here's everything you need to check before the beta goes live, from hardware specs to Twitch Drops cosmetics you can earn just by watching streams. Check out our Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta guide for the full early access breakdown.
What are the minimum PC specs for the MW4 beta?
Activision's minimum spec bar is lower than you might expect for a 2026 title. A Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel Core i5-8400 paired with a GTX 970 / 1060, RX 470, or Intel Arc A580 is enough to get in the door. You'll need at least 12 GB of RAM, 3 GB of video memory, and an SSD. A spinning hard drive will not work.
The recommended tier steps things up to a Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i7-8700, an RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc B580, 16 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of video memory. Windows 11 is listed as the recommended OS, though Windows 10 64-bit (fully updated) still qualifies at minimum.
Beta rewards need Activision login
What GPU drivers do you need for MW4?
Before you launch the beta, update to the recommended driver versions. Running outdated drivers is one of the most common reasons players hit performance issues on day one.
- NVIDIA: 610.47
- AMD: 26.7.1
- Intel: 32.0.101.8861
If you've been playing Black Ops 7 or Warzone recently, your drivers are probably close. Still worth double-checking the exact version numbers above.
Does MW4 require TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
Yes, and this is the part that will lock out the most players who skip the checklist. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are both mandatory to play the beta online. If either is disabled in your BIOS, you cannot connect. Activision ties these requirements to its Ricochet anti-cheat system, which uses them to verify that the game is launching from a secure environment.
If you've been playing Black Ops 7 on PC, these features are almost certainly already active. If you haven't, check your BIOS before August 21. Activision also recommends running the Call of Duty Secure Attestation Wizard ahead of the beta window opening.
Steam-specific requirement
Players on Steam have one extra step: your Steam account must have a mobile phone number linked before you can play. This is a Steam-side requirement, not an Activision one, so check your Steam account settings now if you plan to play through that platform.
How and when can you preload the MW4 beta?
Preload timing splits into two groups based on access type.
- Early access (preorder holders): Preload opens at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET on Thursday, August 20, on all platforms except Nintendo Switch 2.
- Open beta players: Preload opens at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET on Thursday, August 26.
To download, search "Modern Warfare 4 beta" directly in your platform's digital storefront. The beta client is a separate download from the full game. If you participate in both beta weekends, you only need to download it once since content and progression carry over.
What beta rewards can you earn?
Playing the beta earns you cosmetics that carry over to the full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 release. You must be signed into your Activision account for any rewards to register. Your account also lets you carry progression across platforms if you switch between PS5, Xbox, and PC during the beta period.
Twitch Drops: two separate reward tracks
Linking your Activision account to Twitch unlocks two separate cosmetic drop tracks. Watch Call of Duty: NEXT streams to earn:
- "Gas Ready" Emblem at 15 minutes watched
- "Rapple Repel" Calling Card at 30 minutes
- "Ghost Helmet" Charm at 45 minutes
Watch MW4 beta streams to earn a second set:
- "Get Tactical" Emblem at 15 minutes
- "Clearing House" Calling Card at 30 minutes
- "Action Ready" Charm at 45 minutes
That's six cosmetics total for 45 minutes of watching each stream category. The time investment is minimal compared to grinding them in-game.
What about shader preloading on PC?
Shader preloading is enabled by default for the MW4 beta on PC, and it's worth leaving on. It runs in the background after installation to cut down the compile time between launching the game and getting into your first match.
- Battle.net: Shader preloading starts automatically when you install the beta.
- Steam: A one-time shader compile still runs on first boot. Subsequent launches after updates use preloading instead.
Activision notes that shader preloading uses some system resources while active, but the impact is described as minimal. You can disable it in settings if you'd rather handle it manually.
Ready for launch?
The MW4 beta is a direct window into one of the biggest action games of 2026, and getting locked out over a BIOS setting or a missing driver update would be a frustrating way to miss it. Run through the checklist: verify your specs, update your GPU drivers to the versions listed above, confirm TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are active, link your Activision account, and preload as soon as the window opens on August 20.
For everything else surrounding the October 23 launch, the full MW4 guides collection covers editions, maps, modes, and more.