PC Gaming’s New Mandate: Secure Boot Becomes Essential for AAA Titles
In a coordinated anti-cheat crackdown, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Battlefield 6 will require Windows Secure Boot to run. Following Battlefield’s earlier announcement, Activision confirmed Black Ops 6/Warzone will enforce this starting Season 5 – making these the first major franchises to gate access behind this security feature.
Why Secure Boot? The Anti-Cheat Arms Race
- Blocks Kernel-Level Cheats: Secure Boot prevents unsigned/low-level malware from loading during startup – a common cheat vector
- Hardware-Level Security: Ensures only trusted software runs before Windows launches
- Battlefield 6: Requires Secure Boot (no TPM) for its August 9 open beta
- Black Ops 6: Mandates both Secure Boot AND TPM 2.0 for Season 5+
What Gamers Need to Do
- Check Compatibility:
- Most modern PCs (2018+) support Secure Boot
- TPM 2.0 required for COD (standard on Win11-ready hardware)
- Enable in BIOS/UEFI:
- Restart PC > Enter BIOS (Del/F2/F10)
- Find “Secure Boot” option (usually under Security/Boot tabs)
- Set to “Enabled”
- Verify in Windows:
- Press
Win+R> typemsinfo32 - Check “Secure Boot State” says On
- Press
Security Features Explained
| Technology | Function | Impact on Cheaters |
|---|---|---|
| Secure Boot | Verifies boot software signatures | Blocks bootkit cheats & modified drivers |
| TPM 2.0 | Encrypts keys & verifies system integrity | Prevents hardware spoofing & OS tampering |
| Platform Config Registers (PCRs) | Logs system startup state | Flags altered security settings |
The Fine Print
- Windows 10/11: Both supported (despite TPM’s Win11 association)
- Older PCs: Systems without Secure Boot capability cannot play
- Effectiveness: Won’t eliminate cheating but raises barrier significantly
- Industry Trend: Expect more AAA titles to follow (Activision rolling out system notifications)
Why This Matters Now
“Cheating has evolved beyond software – we’re fighting firmware-level attacks,” explains Activision’s RICOCHET team. As Battlefield 6’s beta launches this week, early adopters must enable Secure Boot to play – making this the new normal for competitive shooters.
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- GTA 6 Meets Call of Duty in Free Steam Download: Try ‘Outlawed’ Now!
- Call of Duty Zombies Fan Recreates Liberty Falls Poster in Real Life
The Bottom Line
Your gaming rig now needs enterprise-grade security. While inconvenient for some, this move could finally curb the cheat epidemic plaguing online shooters. Check your BIOS today – or risk being locked out of this fall’s biggest releases.
Source: callofduty