MW2 and MW3 Break Free: Now Available as Standalone Downloads
Activision just dropped some major news that's going to change how you access Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3. As of July 29th, 2025, both games are now available as completely separate downloads across all platforms. This means you can finally launch MW2 and MW3 directly from your console or PC's game library without having to go through the main Call of Duty HQ first.
What's Actually Changing
Here's the deal: both Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 can now be downloaded and launched as individual games, completely separate from the main Call of Duty experience. If you already own these titles, you can grab them from your platform's game library and play them without needing the massive COD HQ installation.
The big date to remember is August 7th, 2025 - that's when the old MW2 and MW3 files currently sitting in your main Call of Duty installation will be automatically removed to free up storage space. Don't worry though, you won't lose any progress or unlocks.
Your Progress Stays Safe
The most important thing to know is that everything you've unlocked stays with you completely. Your weapon levels, camos, calling cards, operator skins - all of it transfers seamlessly to the standalone versions. Achievements and trophies sync both ways too, so if you earn something in the standalone version, it'll show up in your main Call of Duty profile.
PlayStation players get a nice bonus here - you can now earn individual Platinum trophies for each game, which is great for trophy hunters. Plus, as an added benefit, you can now choose exactly which Call of Duty games you want installed, potentially freeing up significant storage space if you only play certain titles.
What You Need to Do Before August 7th
You've got two options to avoid any potential data duplication issues. First, you can manually remove the legacy MW2 and MW3 content from your main Call of Duty installation right now if you want immediate control over the process. Alternatively, you can just wait until August 7th and let the system handle everything automatically - it's designed to be seamless.
If you want to keep playing these games, make sure to download the standalone versions before or after the automatic cleanup happens. If you redownload MW2 or MW3 after August 7th, you can manually remove any leftover legacy content to avoid having duplicate files.
Warzone and DMZ Remain Unchanged
All your MW2 and MW3 operators, weapons, and cosmetics will continue to work perfectly in Warzone, regardless of whether you have the standalone versions installed or not. The main Call of Duty installation continues to serve as your central hub for Warzone and the latest premium titles like Black Ops 6, keeping all your friends, parties, and cross-title features in one place.
The DMZ Beta gets an interesting treatment - it remains free-to-play and is now hosted within the MW2 install. Players can download a "free" version of MW2 to access DMZ Beta, while Campaign, Multiplayer, and other premium modes stay locked behind ownership of the full game. This gives new players a chance to try DMZ without buying the full MW2 experience.
What This Means for Players
This change addresses several long-standing player complaints in one move. No more forced updates for games you don't play, better control over your game library, and the flexibility to install only what you actually want to play. From a technical standpoint, it should also lead to better performance and fewer update-related issues since each game can be optimized for its specific needs.
For competitive players and content creators who need access to multiple titles, the ability to quickly install and uninstall games as needed is invaluable. No more planning your storage around upcoming tournaments or content schedules - just download what you need when you need it.
Why This Change Makes Perfect Sense
When you step back and look at the bigger picture, this move addresses so many long-standing player complaints that it's surprising it took this long to implement. The massive file sizes, the forced updates for games you don't play, the storage management headaches - all of these issues are now largely solved.
From a technical standpoint, it also makes the overall Call of Duty ecosystem more stable and efficient. Instead of having one massive installation trying to handle five different games' worth of content, each game can be optimized for its specific needs. This should lead to better performance, fewer update-related issues, and more reliable online connectivity.
Looking Forward
This change also sets up the franchise for a much more sustainable future. As new Call of Duty titles release, players won't be forced to carry forward the storage burden of every previous game. You can keep what you love and make room for new experiences without the constant storage juggling act.
For competitive players and content creators who need access to multiple titles, the flexibility to quickly install and uninstall games as needed is invaluable. No more planning your storage around upcoming tournaments or content creation schedules.
The Bottom Line
This separation of MW2 and MW3 from the main Call of Duty experience is exactly the kind of player-friendly change that the community has been asking for. It respects your storage space, gives you more control over your gaming library, and maintains all the features and progress you care about.
Whether you're a casual player who just wants to free up some storage space or a hardcore fan who likes having access to the entire franchise, this update makes your life easier. The transition is happening automatically, your progress is protected, and you'll have more flexibility than ever in how you experience Call of Duty.
Make sure to check out our other articles covering all the latest Black Ops 6 Season 5 content, including new maps, weapons, and game modes. We've got comprehensive guides covering everything you need to know about the current Call of Duty landscape, and with these storage improvements, you'll have more room than ever to experience it all.