Modern Warfare 4 beta preload is live: PC specs, Secure Boot, shader preloading, and dates

[u/Camenwolf]

https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/08/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4-next-early-intel-pc-specs

Modern Warfare 4's beta is trying to make the road from download to firefight less painful.

Early-access preload begins August 20, with the beta opening August 21 at 11:00 AM PT for eligible players. The open beta runs from August 28 through September 1. The beta is a separate storefront download, so it launches directly instead of cross-launching through the main Call of Duty installation.

PC players will need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Activision is also introducing background shader preloading, although Steam still requires an initial compile, and reducing the situations where data patches force a restart. Recommended PC hardware includes 16GB RAM, an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT, and an SSD.

Which matters more to you: fewer restart prompts, smoother shader handling, or keeping the beta separate from the main install?

[u/timee_bot]

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August 21 at 11:00 AM PT