Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is almost here, and if you're planning to jump into the beta on PC, there's one setup step that catches a lot of players off guard: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. These two Windows security features are required to run the game's RICOCHET Anti-Cheat system, and if they aren't active on your machine, you won't be able to play online. Most modern PCs have them enabled by default, but if yours doesn't, a quick trip into your BIOS settings will sort it out.
What are TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module 2.0) and Secure Boot are Windows security features built into your PC's firmware. They work together to verify that your system hasn't been tampered with before the operating system loads. For MW4, they form the hardware-level foundation that RICOCHET Anti-Cheat relies on to detect and block cheating software.
Cheating has been a persistent problem in online shooters, and Activision's RICOCHET system tackles it at the system level rather than just monitoring in-game behavior. By requiring TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, RICOCHET can make it significantly harder for cheat developers to inject malicious software without detection. This is especially relevant for the beta period, where maintaining match integrity matters from day one.
How to check if TPM 2.0 is already enabled
Before touching your BIOS, check whether TPM 2.0 is already running. Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and hit Enter. If the TPM Management window opens and shows "TPM is ready to use" with a specification version of 2.0, you're already set. If it shows version 1.2 or says no TPM is found, you'll need to enable or upgrade it in your BIOS.
For Secure Boot, open System Information by searching for it in the Start menu. Look for the Secure Boot State line under System Summary. If it reads "On," you're good. If it reads "Off" or "Unsupported," keep reading.
How to enable TPM 2.0 in your BIOS
The exact steps vary slightly depending on your motherboard manufacturer, but the general process is the same across AMD and Intel systems.
- Restart your PC and press the BIOS key as it boots. Common keys are Delete, F2, F10, or F12 depending on your motherboard brand.
- Once inside the BIOS, navigate to the Security or Advanced tab.
- Look for an option labeled TPM, PTT (Intel Platform Trust Technology), or fTPM (AMD Firmware TPM).
- Set it to Enabled.
- Save your changes and exit. Your PC will restart.
How to enable Secure Boot in your BIOS
- Return to your BIOS using the same method as above.
- Navigate to the Boot tab or Security section.
- Find the Secure Boot option and set it to Enabled.
- If your system asks about CSM (Compatibility Support Module), make sure it is Disabled, since Secure Boot requires it to be off.
- Save and exit.
What if TPM 2.0 shows version 1.2 instead of 2.0?
Some older motherboards ship with TPM 1.2 enabled but support upgrading to 2.0 through a firmware or BIOS update. Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for the latest BIOS update, install it, then return to the BIOS and switch the TPM version to 2.0 if the option appears. If your hardware genuinely doesn't support TPM 2.0, the beta won't be accessible on that machine.
Why does Modern Warfare 4 require this for the beta?
Requiring these features during the beta specifically makes sense from Activision's perspective. Beta periods are when cheat developers tend to probe for vulnerabilities, since the anti-cheat system hasn't been battle-tested yet. By enforcing RICOCHET's hardware requirements from the first session, the beta data becomes more reliable and the player experience stays cleaner.
This also aligns with the broader direction of PC anti-cheat across the industry. Kernel-level solutions backed by hardware security features are now standard for competitive shooters, and MW4 is following that path from launch rather than retrofitting it later.
For everything else you need before launch, check out the full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 guides collection covering beta access, pre-order bonuses, and more. If you haven't secured your spot yet, the MW4 beta access and early entry guide breaks down exactly how to get in, and the Modern Warfare 4 beta code redemption guide walks you through claiming and activating your key on every platform.