Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 is a must if you’re looking to play Black Ops 7 on PC. Most new computers ship with both options ticked on, but if they’re off, you’ll receive an error while attempting to launch the game. This is because Call of Duty’s kernel-level RICOCHET Anti-Cheat works alongside Secure Boot to detect any hidden programs that are being used for cheating in Multiplayer. With this in mind, here’s how to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to prepare for Black Ops 7.
What is Secure Boot and TPM 2.0?
Secure Boot is a system-level feature that helps safeguard against cheating programs by only allowing trusted software to load during startup. When combined with Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0), which provides hardware-based security features on Windows PCs, you’ll get an added layer of protection.
Both security features were made mandatory in Call of Duty following the arrival of Season 5, and you’ll also need them to play the Black Ops 7 Beta and eventually, the full game. The features should already be enabled in most Windows 11 PCs, while Windows 10 computers could require an update.
How to Enable Secure Boot to Play Black Ops 7
Before we get into the steps to enable Secure Boot, it’s worth checking if you’ve already got the feature turned on. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows Button + R Key to open the Run command.
- Now, type ‘msinfo32‘ in the search bar and hit enter.
- In the following menu, look for the ‘Secure Boot State‘ item under ‘System Summary.’
- If it states ‘On,’ you’re good to go.
In case the state displays ‘Off,’ your system won’t be able to play Black Ops 7. To fix this issue, you’ll have to do some tinkering in the BIOS settings, which can even include changing the BIOS Mode. This can be pretty tricky, but we’ve got you covered with a dedicated guide on how to enable Secure Boot.
How to Enable TPM 2.0 to Play Black Ops 7
TPM 2.0 is a baseline requirement for installing Windows 11, meaning its absence is, in most cases, a Windows 10 problem. You’ll need to enable the feature to change your BIOS Mode to UEFI, so it’s directly tied to the steps mentioned above. Start by checking if TPM 2.0 is enabled using these steps:
- Press the Windows Button + R Key for the Run command.
- Type ‘tpm.msc‘ and hit Enter. Doing so will open the TPM Management menu.
- Check under the ‘Status’ section of the menu. If it reads, ‘The TPM is ready to use,’ you’re good to go.
In case you see the dreaded ‘not ready for use’ message, you’re in for some exhaustive tinkering. It all starts with checking the Partition Style of your Windows Boot Drive. Follow these steps to do so:
- Right-click the Start button and click Disk Management.
- Right-click the (C:) Drive partition and select Properties.
- In the following menu, navigate to the ‘Hardware‘ tab and click on Properties once again.
- Now, select the Volumes tab.
- Check if the Partition Style is MBR or GPT.
The style you’re looking for is GPT, and in that case, you can follow the steps listed in our dedicated guide to enable Secure Boot. If not, you’ll need to manually convert your Partition Style. This is, again, a tricky process, so I highly recommend following this official guide from Microsoft and backing up your data beforehand.
As for enabling TPM 2.0, the exact steps are different depending on your motherboard’s manufacturer. You’ll need to look for the instructions on their website since the feature can only be turned on in the BIOS. After this is done, you can move on to enabling Secure Boot in the BIOS using the same steps as mentioned earlier.
Can I Play Black Ops 7 Without Secure Boot?
No, you will not be able to play Black Ops 7 without enabling Secure Boot. The feature is tied to the game’s anti-cheat, making it an absolute necessity. Naturally, this applies to both the BO7 Beta as well as the full release version. In fact, you’ll need the feature to play a host of other competitive online shooters such as Battlefield 6 and Valorant.
And that wraps up our guide on how to enable Secure Boot to play Black Ops 7. If you’re running into any issues, be sure to let us know in the comments.
