question on how to use more than one wow folder

[TheGreek]

All,

I have been going at this wrong for a while now, and am tired of having to recopy my wow directory after each patch several times. Basically, I launch from all of my directories using the launcher (No maximizer or any of that) and the first one (the one that I actually installed) works fine, but the others throw up an error saying that the patch isn't required. How do I avoid getting this error? Do I actually need to run the installer from the disks for each additional directory that I want to have?

[Dzonatan]

are you trying to patch 5 WoWs at the time? Wouldnt it be better to just patch the one at then copy it?

[mikekim]

instead of using a seperate folder for each instance of wow so a search on the site for symbolic linking (or junction linking for XP). once you have that setup you only need to update the main folder :thumbsup:

[Smoooth]

After each patch day just update using the launcher.exe in each folder and it will update just fine and only require the patch to be downloaded once. It will be saved in a common folder and be used to update each folder of wow. Just open the launchers one at a time.

[TheGreek]

instead of using a seperate folder for each instance of wow so a search on the site for symbolic linking (or junction linking for XP). once you have that setup you only need to update the main folder :thumbsup:I thought about this, but I use diffeent sets of addons for different toons, so it doesn't seem like it would actually work.

[TheGreek]

After each patch day just update using the launcher.exe in each folder and it will update just fine and only require the patch to be downloaded once. It will be saved in a common folder and be used to update each folder of wow. Just open the launchers one at a time.I don't understand what is being said here about the common folder and only downloaded once. Can anyone clarify this?

[Smoooth]

After each patch day just update using the launcher.exe in each folder and it will update just fine and only require the patch to be downloaded once. It will be saved in a common folder and be used to update each folder of wow. Just open the launchers one at a time.I don't understand what is being said here about the common folder and only downloaded once. Can anyone clarify this?
When I use the launcher to download\apply the patch it gets saved to this folder C:\Users\Public\Documents\Blizzard Entertainment\World of Warcraft. So when I open up the launcher.exe in the other WoW folder it goes to download the patch to the same folder and sees its already there, takes a few seconds checking it, then applies it.

[Ualaa]

If you're using Symbolic Links, the only safe route I've found is:

a) Structure it so you have:

Parent WoW (Patch this)
-- Symlink 1, run WoW here.
-- Symlink 2, run wow here.
-- etc.

b) Break the symbolic links.

c) Patch Parent WoW.

d) Re-Symbolic Link from the now patched parent wow, to each copy.

e) Copy the wow.exe and launcher.exe from the patched directory to each of the symbolic link folders.

Personally I noticed a very slight performance improvement with the symbolic links, namely the loading times overall.

However, for me the only big advantage is having different graphic settings for each of the wow copies. I had the ability for 5 copies of wow, with boxing, each at very low settings. And then a sixth wow, from another symbolic link folder with all of the eye candy on, for solo pvp/raids which do not challenge my system.

I've gone back to a single wow folder, running everything on minimal settings; twice with Symbolic Links I've had errors which the GM in the tech forum basically said, reinstall the game is the only option. It's certainly easier to run just one installation of warcraft, but that's your choice.

Currently wow is kind of bleh; basically just playing the auction house game at the moment, and chatting with friends here and there.

[falsfire3401]

If you want to use symbolic links it's actually quite easy. Have two separate WOW installs, then in your 2nd install delete the DATA folder. Now create a symbolic link to the original WOW's DATA folder and you're good to go. Then you only have to patch your main wow and the other one should be already up to date when you launch it.

JUST MAKE SURE you never delete the DATA folder in the 2nd wow thinking you're just going to delete the link, that will actually delete the real DATA folder as well...if you want/need to break the link you have to use your software tool to break the link first, after which you'll be left with an empty DATA folder in the 2nd WOW which you can safely delete.