The short answer is – yes, absolutely! The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 open multiplayer beta is 100% free to download and play on PC, just like it is on PlayStation and Xbox.
As a PC gamer myself, I know how important it is that major titles like MW2 provide free beta access for testing, optimizing, and getting hands-on experience ahead of launch. Activision has thankfully opened up the MW2 beta for free public weekends, with no pre-order required.
In this in-depth guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know as a PC player about accessing the open beta, release timing, pre-loads, system requirements, performance, and more. Consider this your one-stop overview for maximizing the free MW2 beta on computer!
Early Access vs Open Beta
While the open beta weekends are free and open to all, there were some early access periods before each weekend for pre-order players. Here is a full timeline breakdown:
Early Access Weekend 1 (Sept 16-20) – Only accessible to pre-orders or beta codes. Gave first access before open beta.
Open Beta Weekend 1 (Sept 24-26) – Completely open/free beta for all PC/console players.
Early Access Weekend 2 (Sept 22-23) – Required pre-order.
Open Beta Weekend 2 (Sept 24-26) – Again free and open access for everyone.
So in summary, the early access periods required a pre-order purchase or beta code. But the actual open beta weekends themselves are 100% free – no strings attached!
If you‘re reading this guide, you likely just care about the free open beta weekends anyway. And I‘ve got great news, those are fully available for everyone to try out MW2 on PC starting September 24th!
How to Download on PC
Getting into the free MW2 open beta on your computer is fast and simple through Battle.net:
Step 1) Open up the Battle.net desktop app
Step 2) Search for "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Open Beta"
Step 3) Click install and let the beta download
Step 4) Once complete, click "Play" to launch the beta!
And that‘s it! Within Battle.net you can install, preload, and boot up the beta with literally one click. No pre-order required at all for open weekends. Just download and enjoy MW2!
You can also find the open beta on the Steam store and download it there. Though Battle.net tends to be faster for accessing new Call of Duty content.
Pre-Load Start Times
To save you time on beta launch day, Activision will enable beta pre-loads in advance:
PS5 / PS4: Tuesday, September 13 @ 10 a.m. PT
Xbox: Tuesday, September 13 @ 10 a.m. PT
PC: Wednesday, September 14 @ 10 a.m. PT
So I‘d recommend marking your calendar and downloading the beta 1-2 days early on your platform. At around 30-50GB, it can take a while to fully install depending on your internet speeds.
Pre-loading ensures you can jump in immediately at launch, rather than be stuck downloading when your friends are already playing!
Open Beta Release Times
Okay, let‘s summarize when exactly the free, open beta goes live on all platforms:
Open Beta Weekend 1 – Saturday, September 24 @ 10 a.m. PT
Open Beta Weekend 2 – Saturday, September 24 @ 10 a.m. PT
I want to reiterate the open beta goes live at the same time on PC as consoles. There is no delay!
At 10am PT / 1pm ET on both Saturdays, PC players can access the free and open MW2 beta. Set a reminder on your calendar and be ready to play! No preorder needed.
Early Access Reward
While early access requires a pre-order, participating will earn you an exclusive beta operator skin usable in the full game!
This operator skin is called Death Knell and gives you a grim reaper-style all black outfit to strike fear in your enemies.
So if you‘re eager to get the earliest possible hands-on time with MW2, pre-ordering grants you not only early beta access but also this cool bonus skin.
PC System Requirements
To play the MW2 beta on PC, you‘ll need a system meeting at least these minimum specs:
Minimum (60 FPS @ 1080p)
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon RX 470
- Storage: 25GB
Recommended (60+ FPS @ 1080p)
- OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
- Storage: 25GB
The official requirements list a GTX 960 or RX 470 minimum. But based on early testing, I‘d recommend at least a GTX 1060 or RX 580 if you want smoother 60 FPS gameplay.
These specs should deliver solid 1080p performance on medium settings during the beta. Of course, the higher end your components, the better it‘ll run!
PC Graphics Settings
The beta currently offers a basic graphics menu with limited options:
- Display Mode: Fullscreen/Windowed/Borderless
- Resolution
- V-Sync: On/Off
- Framerate Limit: 60/Unlimited
- Brightness
- Quality Presets: Low to Ultra
Sadly FOV and advanced options are not adjustable in the beta. But this still provides the key settings to tweak for your system and monitor.
I‘d recommend starting at Medium or High quality if your GPU can handle it. This delivers a good balance of visuals and frames before turning options up.
How Does MW2 Run on PC?
Based on initial technical analysis and hands-on gameplay, Modern Warfare 2 is very well optimized on PC so far!
Popular Call of Duty streamer Nick ‘NICKMERCS‘ Kolcheff reported getting 180-220 FPS at 1440p max settings on an RTX 3090 during his beta streams:
| NICKMERCS MW2 PC | RTX 3090 GPU | 1440p Resolution | 180-220 FPS |
Even mid-range cards like the RTX 2060 or RX 5700 XT seem capable of 100+ FPS on high settings at 1080p based on early performance data.
Multiple benchmarks also reveal very smooth frame pacing, indicating an optimized PC port. MW2 appears to avoid unwelcome issues like significant stuttering during action.
In my experience so far, Infinity Ward has delivered an excellent PC version with MW2 that runs fast and smooth. The beta‘s quick matching and netcode also feel highly responsive, especially at higher frame rates.
For a later section in development, the beta‘s outstanding performance bodes very well for launch!
Ultrawide Resolution Support
For PC players sporting 21:9 ultrawide monitors, I have great news – MW2 fully supports ultrawide resolutions!
The beta offers native resolution options all the way up to 3440×1440. And cinematics, menus, and gameplay display correctly without any funky stretching or cropping.
Ultrawide monitor owners can enjoy the proper immersive experience at launch. So fear not, MW2 plays very nicely with your fancy high-res displays!
Free Content with MW1 Access
If you own Modern Warfare (2019), its free-to-play Warzone mode, or purchased select editions – you‘ll gain special bonus content in MW2 including:
Ghost Legacy Pack – Legendary Ghost operator skin and blueprints
10 Battle Pass Tier Skips – Instantly gain more BP progress
So make sure to play or download the free content from MW1 to redeem this sweet complementary MW2 stuff!
Even without pre-ordering, you can score free operator skins, blueprints, XP boosts and more just by playing or installing the previous Modern Warfare games on your PC.
Is MW2 Worth Buying on PC?
Based on my extensive hands-on time with the MW2 beta so far, I believe Modern Warfare 2 is absolutely worth buying for PC players.
It delivers an incredibly fun, smooth, and addictive multiplayer experience that improves upon 2019‘s MW in almost every way. The maps, modes, customization, animations, details, and combat flow are all stellar.
As a long-time Call of Duty fan, MW2 just hits differently. The tactical gunplay, satisfying weapon handling, great pacing, and constant unlocks make each match exciting and rewarding.
The beta showcases an incredible amount of polish and quality for a pre-release test build. If that level of detail carries over to the full launch, MW2 should stand tall among the best Call of Duty titles to date.
Unless something goes very wrong in the remainder of development, MW2 is a must-buy PC title in my book for any fan of fast-paced, thrilling FPS action.
Closing Recommendations
The free Modern Warfare 2 open beta weekends for multiplayer provide an awesome chance to experience this stellar game ahead of launch. I highly recommend all PC players check it out!
Downloading and participating is the perfect way to decide if MW2‘s particular flavor of adrenaline-fueled combat is right for you.
Plus you can get hands-on with the engine, animations, modes, maps and more to see the cutting-edge detail and quality Infinity Ward is aiming for with this sequel.
So be sure to mark your calendar for the open beta dates. Pre-load early so you can dive in right at release!
See you online for some exciting MW2 multiplayer battles soon my friend! This is an installment that I firmly believe no PC gamer or Call of Duty fan should miss out on.
Let me know your thoughts once you get hands-on with the beta yourself! I‘m confident you‘ll have a blast and be counting down the days until launch after.
