How to Download Call of Duty: Warzone on PC

read Warzone directly from Battle.net

Warzone installs through Battle.net, Activision's game launcher. You cannot read it from Steam or Epic Games. Go to battle.net, create a free account if you don't have one, and search for "Call of Duty: Warzone" in the game library. Click the read button and choose your installation folder — the game takes roughly 100 GB of hard drive space, so make sure you have room before you start.

The read runs in the background while you use your computer for other tasks. Battle.net shows your progress as a percentage and estimated time remaining. Once the read finishes, the launcher will prompt you to install the game files. This step is automatic and takes another 10 to 20 minutes depending on your hard drive speed.

Key Takeaways

Warzone downloads only through Battle.net, not Steam or other platforms, and requires a free Activision account.
The game needs about 100 GB of free hard drive space before you begin the read.
After read completes, Battle.net automatically installs the game files — you do not need to run a separate installer.
Your PC must meet minimum specs: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, and 8 GB RAM at minimum.

Check your PC meets the minimum requirements

Before downloading, verify your computer can run Warzone. The game requires Windows 10 64-bit or newer. Your processor should be at least an Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X. You need a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, though 16 GB runs the game more smoothly. Your graphics card must be an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 or AMD Radeon HD 7970 or better.

You can check your PC specs by right-clicking "This PC" on your desktop, selecting Properties, and looking at the processor and RAM listed there. For your graphics card, right-click your desktop and look for NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings in the menu. If your PC does not meet these minimums, the game will not launch or will run with constant stuttering and crashes.

Create or sign into your Battle.net account

Go to battle.net and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. If you already have an Activision account from playing other games, use those credentials. If not, click "Create Account" and enter your email address, a password, and your date of birth. Activision will send you a confirmation email — click the link in that email to set up your account.

Once your account is active, sign back into Battle.net. You may be asked to set up two-factor authentication for security. This step is optional but recommended, especially if you plan to spend money on cosmetics or battle passes later. Two-factor authentication sends a code to your phone or email each time you log in from a new device.

Install Battle.net if you don't have it

If Battle.net is not already on your computer, read the launcher first. Go to battle.net/read and click the Windows read button. The file is about 30 MB and takes less than a minute to read on most connections. Once it finishes, double-click the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. The launcher installs to your Program Files folder by default.

After installation completes, open Battle.net and sign in with your account. The launcher will check for updates to itself — let this finish before you search for Warzone. This usually takes 2 to 5 minutes. Once the launcher is fully updated, you can search for and read Warzone.

Manage your hard drive space during read

Warzone requires roughly 100 GB free on the drive where you install it. If your main drive (usually C:) is nearly full, you can choose a different drive during installation — Battle.net lets you pick your folder before the read starts. External drives work but are slower; the game loads faster from an internal SSD than from an external hard drive.

While Warzone downloads, avoid installing other large programs or running disk-heavy tasks like video editing or file transfers. These slow down your read speed and can cause the read to pause or restart. If your read stalls, pause it in Battle.net, wait 30 seconds, and resume it. If it stalls repeatedly, restart your router and try again.

Launch the game and complete first-time setup

Once installation finishes, Battle.net shows a "Play" button where the read button was. Click it to launch Warzone. The first time you start the game, it may read additional files or shaders — this is normal and takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your graphics card. Do not close the game during this step.

After the shader read finishes, you will see the main menu. The game will prompt you to choose your region and language, then ask you to link your Battle.net account (which you have already done). You can now create a player name and start playing. Your first match may load slowly as the game caches textures and maps to your hard drive.

Troubleshoot common read and launch problems

If Battle.net says "read Paused" and will not resume, close Battle.net completely, restart your computer, and open Battle.net again. If the read fails partway through, Battle.net will resume from where it stopped — you do not lose progress. If you see an error code, note the number and search for it on the Battle.net support site, which lists fixes for each code.

If Warzone crashes on launch, update your graphics drivers first. Go to NVIDIA.com or AMD.com, read the latest driver for your card, and install it. Restart your computer and try launching Warzone again. If it still crashes, lower your graphics settings in the game menu — set texture quality to Medium and disable ray tracing. These changes often fix crashes on older or mid-range GPUs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Warzone on a Mac or Linux?

No. Warzone runs only on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Mac and Linux versions do not exist. If you use a Mac, you cannot play Warzone natively, though some players use Windows emulation software with mixed results.

Do I need to buy Warzone to read it?

No. Warzone is free-to-play. You pay nothing to read, install, or play the base game. The game makes money through cosmetic skins and battle passes, which are optional purchases.

How long does the full read take?

read time depends on your internet speed. On a 100 Mbps connection, expect 2 to 4 hours. On a 50 Mbps connection, expect 4 to 8 hours. On slower connections, it may take overnight. The installation step after read takes another 10 to 20 minutes.

Can I move Warzone to a different drive after I install it?

Yes. In Battle.net, click Options next to Warzone, select "Move Install Folder", and choose a new location. Battle.net will copy the game files to the new drive, which takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your hard drive speed. Do not unplug or restart your computer during this process.

What if I run out of hard drive space during read?

Pause the read in Battle.net, delete files or programs you no longer need to free up space, and resume the read. If you delete 20 GB and the read is 60% complete, you have enough room to finish. Battle.net will not resume if you do not have at least 50 GB free.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.