Only download from reputable community sources (like the AlterWare GitHub). Avoid "free download" sites that look like ads, as they often contain malware.
You need the base MW2 game folder (approx. 11GB–14GB).
Because the official site is down, players now use and launchers to keep the game running.
These are the primary successors. They provide launchers that automatically update your game files and connect you to active servers.
To download , you need to use community-maintained archives, as the original development team (XLabs) was issued a cease-and-desist order by Activision. 📥 How to Get IW4X