Modern Warfare 4 Beta Starts Friday — Here’s What You Need to Check

Battle.net enables Shader Preloading from the first installation. Steam also supports it, but the first boot still performs a one-time shader compile; later updates receive the full benefit. Steam players who play Weekend One can use the preloading process for the Weekend Two update, while the complete behavior arrives with the finished game.

The process runs before launch or in the background and can use some system resources. Let the launcher finish its preparation before starting a match, and avoid interrupting it unless you need to free up your PC.

The restart message should appear less often

Activision is also reducing how often players see the familiar “Update Requires Restart” prompt. The change is aimed at data patches, but it does not remove every restart and the result depends on the platform.

• PC versions, including Xbox on PC, Battle.net, and Steam, usually apply data patches without a restart unless the patch arrives while the game is running.
• Xbox Series X|S still requires restarts for data patches during the Beta, with more reductions planned for launch.
• On PS5, most data patches should not require a restart unless the patch arrives while the game is running or suspended.
• Nintendo Switch 2 continues to use restarts during the Beta and at launch.

The target is fewer interruptions, not a promise that the screen will never return. Close the game when a platform needs to apply a larger client update, then check for the next download before troubleshooting your connection.

Early Access starts Friday; the Open Beta starts next week

Early Access runs from 11:00 a.m. PT on Friday, August 21, through 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, August 25. It is available to players who pre-ordered or pre-purchased Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Steam, or Battle.net, plus players who redeem a Beta Code. Nintendo Switch 2 is not included in Weekend One.

A Beta Code is useful only for Early Access. Physical and participating retailer preorders use the code-redemption process, while digital purchases through a platform store register Early Access automatically. Our guides explain how to get into the Beta early and where to redeem a code.

The Open Beta begins at 10:00 a.m. PT on Friday, August 28, and ends at 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, September 1. Everyone can join that weekend without a preorder or code, including Nintendo Switch 2 players. The exact weekend split is also listed in our Early Access versus Open Beta guide.

The Beta rewards disappear when the test ends

Activision has tied eight limited-time rewards to Beta progression. Reaching Level 20 during Weekend One unlocks the Dread Tiger Operator Skin for Reece. Reaching Level 30 during Weekend Two unlocks the Beta Forged ISO Nightshade Weapon Blueprint and completes the full reward track.

Rewards earned before the Beta closes stay attached to the same Activision account and become available when Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23. Your Beta rank, weapon unlocks, and other test progression do not carry over.

Install the separate client Thursday, check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot if you play on PC, and leave Shader Preloading time to finish before Friday’s first match. That small checklist covers the parts of the Beta setup that can still stop you at the last minute.