• From the Multiplayer Main Menu go to Options > Game Options > and change "Enable Console" to "Yes".
  
  
• In-game (Main Menu or while in a server) bring up the Console using the ~ key ("Tilde").
  
  
• In the Console, type:
  /bind F1 "say GG"
  and hit [ENTER]. With "F1" being the key used and "GG" being the text you want to say.
  
  
• Take careful note of all spaces and characters used. Missing or adding even one will cause it not to work.

• If the key you're trying to bind is already used by the game in any way, this won't work. While the key map for any command in the game can be changed. Trying to bind to an already bound key won't give any kind or error or warning, it simply won't work.
  
  
• You can bind any key, including the F# keys and Number Pad.
  
  
• By using "say_team" instead of "say" Your message will appear only to your team.
  
  
• Using:
  /unbind insertkeyhere
  will unbind any given key, including game controls like W,A,S,D.
  
  
• To use NumPad keys, you will need to use these names:
  
  KP_HOME
  KP_UPARROW
  KP_PGUP
  KP_LEFTARROW
  KP_5
  KP_RIGHTARROW
  KP_END
  KP_DOWNARROW
  KP_PGDN
  KP_ENTER
  KP_INS
  KP_DEL
  KP_SLASH
  KP_MINUS
  KP_PLUS
  
  
• To use Mouse buttons, you will need to use these names:
  
  MOUSE1
  MOUSE2
  MOUSE3
  MOUSE4
  MWHEELDOWN
  MWHEELUP

You can change the color of any one letter, word or entire sentence by using a ^ ("Caret") followed by a number. If you want to use multiple colors, simply repeat the process however many times you like.

Example: ^1Good ^5Game

The "Caret" and number will disappear as soon as you type them, and everything typed after will be that color.


Color Codes:

^0 = Black
^1 = Red
^2 = Green
^3 = Yellow
^4 = Blue
^5 = Light Blue
^6 = Purple
^7 = White
^8 = Current Team's "Team Chat" Color
^9 = Grey

CoD4 has a Voice Command menu typically accessed through the U key, and subsequent menus. That can be very tedious, and therefore they seldom get used. However this system can also be accessed via simple binds.

Note: Everything past the last quotation mark on each line is an explanation. Don't try to put in your bind.


F1 being the key you want to bind.

You can also bind other things, such as commands (FPS, FoV, etc), toggle between settings or multiple things to a single key.

This will cycle your name through the list once each time the key is pressed.
Note: Spaces separate each name. If you want to have a name with spaces, you must put it in escaped quotations (a Back Slash before each quotation).

This will change your name to TheFrenchArmy, wait 1 second and quit the game.
Note: Each section of the bind is separated by a semi-colon. "quit" could also be replaced with "disconnect" to simply leave a server rather than quit the game entirely.

This sets your right mouse button to aim-down-sights of your weapon and also hold your breath on a sniper rifle with a single key press.

This toggles through the three best Max FPS settings (also known as the only ones you should use in any Quake based game).

This changes your FoV and FPS to specified settings.

This will connect you directly to any IP:Port combination you specify.

There is a easier, albeit far more complicated way to add and edit binds in bulk. This is done by editing your Config file. Before starting, be sure that Windows Explorer is set to show "Hidden Files and Folders", by going to:
Windows Explorer > Press the ALT key > Tools > Folder Options > View > Hidden Files and Folders > Make sure "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" is selected.

In CoD4 the Config file is stored in multiple places, depending on how you installed the game.

CD/ROM: C:\Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare\player\profiles\(accountname) config_mp.cfg

Steam: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\call of duty 4\players\profiles\(accountname) config_mp.cfg

Note that if your using a 64bit OS, you will need to look in C:\Program Files (x86)\


At this point I should note that you should ALWAYS backup your Config each and every time you modify it. Not just a temporary backup, but a permanent and persistent backup of not just your config_mp.cfg file but also your "mpdata" file found in the same folder. The Config file stores all of your settings and binds. The "mpdata" file stores all of your stats and Keycode for the life of the game. These files should be backed up every few months.

You will need to open the Config file using WordPad which is installed by default on all Windows computers. (Windows 7 should open .cfg files with WordPad by default) Do this by: Right clicking on the file > Select "Open With" > And WordPad should be on the recommended list.

Now you should see a huge list of one line commands. Only the top 15 or so concern us right now. These are the games binds, for basic controls and whatever binds you want. It's good practice to always put your binds at the very top, just under "unbindall" this will help keep things tidy. Now you can add or edit whatever binds you want. Just be sure to save before you exit.


If for some reason a bind isn't working ingame try these solutions.

• Make sure that you restart CoD4 before testing any changes.
  
  
• Check that your new line doesn’t look out of place with the others. This helps catch out any simple errors.
  
  
• If a bind still isn't working make sure you don't have a key double bound.

• Do not bind useless spam.
  
  
• Use binds rarely and try to keep them appropriately timed. Any bind seen to many times, too fast, or too many times overall becomes irritating.
  
  
• Using recruiting binds in anything but your own clan server will get you kicked or banned in most servers.
  
  
• If you are the sort of person who binds keys in places where they are constantly accidentally pressed then you shouldn't be using binds.
  
  
• If using multiple colors in your bind try not to make every single letter a different color. Not only is it difficult to read, but also very annoying.