Symlinked Multiple WOW folders

[Nighthawk38]

Hello everyone,

How do I set up multiple WoW folders and symlink them ? Drommon mentioned this as a way to improve performance, but I have no idea how to do it.

Thanks in advance from the technically challenged.

[Ualaa]

You want to make a copy of your wow folder.
Specifically, you do not want to include your Cache or Data folders.
Some people exclude their Interface folder as well, but if you'd like each folder to have different options then you'll not want to do this.

Then we create a symbolic link from the main/original wow folder to each of the copies.
Specifically a symbolic link from the folders which we did not copy.
So that the new folders will have identical folders to the original.

There is a command line thing to create symbolic links, but I think this program is easier.
It requires you to download files from microsoft's site in addition to the version of the program for your operating system.
The program is here: http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/hardlinkshellext.html

On patch day, you'll want to break the symbolic links.
Patch the parent/original wow folder.
Then remake the symbolic links.
Then copy the wow.exe file from the patched folder and paste into each of the copies.

[Nighthawk38]

Thanks Ualaa,

So to make sure I understand this. I make 4 copies of the WoW folder (so i'll have 5 total), do I rename them ? Like wow2, wow3, etc etc ? Make sure to NOT copy the Cache or Data sub-folders, then use the program you mentioned to link the original to each of the copies.

[Ualaa]

I had the original wow folder.

Then decided to make six copies. (I named them wow1, wow2, wow3, wow4, wow5 and wow6)
One copy would be my one-box raid folder, with every option cranked to the max.
And five copies would be my five-boxing folders, with most options all the way down.
One of these five had maximum view distance, and that was my boxing leader toon.

A symbolic link is essentially pointing to another folder and saying use the information found here.
So you can have several wow folders, which are only 10-15mb in size, and only one original folder which is 10-15gb in size.
As far as speed goes, running from one folder or symbolically linked to one folder is the same speed.

I've personally moved away from multiple folders.
But if you're not using virtual config files, multiple folders is a good way to maintain different options for each account.
And it will remember which account was last logged in, for your B.Net if you have several accounts on one B.Net email.

As long as you break the links before a patch you're fine.

[Seldum]

Using ISboxer and innerspace, would you be able to see any performance increase by symlinking folders?

As far as my limited knowledge around IS tells me, it woulden't do anything for me since I only use one folder in Innterspace/ISboxer.

[Drommon]

Using ISboxer and innerspace, would you be able to see any performance increase by symlinking folders?

As far as my limited knowledge around IS tells me, it woulden't do anything for me since I only use one folder in Innterspace/ISboxer.


If you are using keyclone then symlinking helps with performance. InnerSpace uses virtual files and doesn't require symlinking. However I have tried both methods (virtual and symlinking) and there is a tiny boost using symlinking with InnerSpace. It is noticeable. Keep in mind though that I am symlinking on an SSD not a plate drive.

Drommon

[Ualaa]

Personally, I quit using Symbolic Links prior to picking up IS.
With IS, I wouldn't even consider it, the largest gain is different interface/video options.
And virtual config files get you that with a single folder.