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Call of Duty: WWII’s Windows PC Microsoft Store build was temporarily removed from sale and PC Game Pass in July 2025, just days after the game joined Game Pass. Activision’s public post said only that it was investigating “reports of an issue.” A later TechCrunch report, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the situation, attributed the takedown to hackers exploiting a remote-code-execution flaw in that build. The Xbox console edition was not identified as affected, and the PC version returned on August 27, 2025.
What happened?
Call of Duty: WWII joined Xbox and PC Game Pass in late June 2025. On July 5, the Call of Duty Updates account said the Windows PC Microsoft Store version had been taken offline while the team investigated an issue. Windows Central reproduced the statement: “Call of Duty: WWII on PC Microsoft Store was brought offline while we investigate reports of an issue.” Windows Central’s July 5 report did not identify a cause in the official wording.
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TechCrunch reported on July 8 that the removal followed hackers exploiting an old flaw in the Microsoft Store/Game Pass build. That account relied on two unnamed sources familiar with the situation; it was not an explicit public explanation from Activision. TechCrunch’s report said Activision did not respond to its requests for comment.
What was the reported “issue”?
The later reporting described a remote-code-execution (RCE) flaw. In general, an RCE vulnerability can allow an attacker to run code on another computer over a network. In this case, TechCrunch’s sources tied the risk to the affected Windows build during online multiplayer. The official July 5 post itself said only that the team was investigating reports of an issue; it did not publicly confirm the exploit or explain how it worked.
#1 Best Overall
- The Best Shooter Experience on Console in 2017 - Daily Star
- An Explosive Return to its Roots - The Telegraph
- Call of Duty returns to its roots with Call of Duty: WWII a breath-taking experience that redefines World War II for a gaming generation
- Experience three different game modes: Campaign, multiplayer and co-operative
- Experience Call of Duty combat, the bonds of camaraderie and the unforgiving nature of war against a global power throwing the world into tyranny
Players had reported disruptive incidents involving remote access while playing online around July 2–3. Those were player reports, not independently confirmed forensic findings in the cited coverage. They help explain the concern, but should not be treated as proof that every player or every edition was compromised.
Which editions were affected?
The distinction is between the Windows PC Microsoft Store/Game Pass build and other editions—not simply between people who owned the game and people who accessed it through Game Pass. The reporting described the Microsoft Store/Game Pass build as different from Steam and said other versions had the old flaw patched. Windows Central reported that the Xbox console edition was not affected.
Rank #2
- Call of Duty returns to its roots with Call of Duty: WWII—a breathtaking experience that redefines World War II for a new gaming generation
- Land in Normandy on D-Day and battle across Europe through iconic locations in history’s most monumental war
- Experience classic Call of Duty combat, the bonds of camaraderie, and the unforgiving nature of war against a global power throwing the world into tyranny
| Edition or build | What the reporting established about the July 2025 incident |
|---|---|
| Windows PC Microsoft Store / PC Game Pass | Taken offline on July 5 while the team investigated reports of an issue; later reporting attributed the removal to an exploited RCE flaw. Returned on August 27, 2025. |
| Xbox console edition | Windows Central reported that it was not affected by this incident. |
| Steam and other versions | TechCrunch’s unnamed sources described the Microsoft Store/Game Pass build as distinct and said other versions had the old flaw patched. The reporting does not establish the present-day security status of every edition. |
When did the PC version return?
Call of Duty Updates announced on August 27, 2025: “Call of Duty: WWII is now available via the MS Store.” Windows Central reported that the game was back on the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass after a 41-day removal. The report establishes the return date, but does not detail a technical patch or prove that every related security issue was resolved. Windows Central’s September 2 report covers the restoration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can players conclude now?
This was a temporary removal of a particular Windows PC storefront build, not a continuing outage of Call of Duty: WWII and not a reported takedown of the Xbox console edition. The available reporting explains why the PC build was reportedly pulled, but it does not provide a detailed remediation account or a current security audit. Activision’s Call of Duty: WWII Known Issues page lists tracked support issues, but does not clearly document this 2025 RCE incident or its remediation.
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Rank #4
Rank #3
- The best shooter experience on console in 2017 - Daily Star
- an explosive return to its roots - The Telegraph
- experience three different game modes: Campaign, Multiplayer and co-operative
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
