Winbolic Guide - Symlinking for XP

[wougoose]

I recently cleaned up my multiple instances of WoW using a nice tool called Winbolic Link by PearlMagik. This tool aids in creating Junction Links within Windows XP, which act similar to Symlinks in Unix.

Why would you want to use this tool?
Want to conserve that precious disk space while keeping your configuration, key bindings, and macros separate? Want to have to only patch one instance of WoW? Want to only have to update and install addons in one directory?What do you need?
Windows XP (If you are running Vista, Chorizotarian created a nice script listed in this ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&postID=42681&highlight=powershell#post42681') thread. Winbolic Link ('http://www.pearlmagik.com/winbolic/') One copy of WoW installed somewhereSteps:
Install Winbolic Link Create a blank directory for the second copy of WoW (example: C:\Games\WoWB) In your original WoW installation (example: C:\Games\WoWA), copy all of the files and folders within it besides Data, Interface, and Patches Paste those files and folders in your new copy of WoW. Open up Winbolic Link On the left side, browse to your new copy of WoW (C:\Games\WoWB) and select that folder so that it states "Create the link in folder: C:\Games\WoWB\" in the top left On the right side, browse to your original copy of WoW (C:\Games\WoWA) and select the Data folder so that it states "The link points to: C:\Games\WoWA\Data" Name the link Data Click "Create NTFS Junction" and it will now create a link in C:\Games\WoWB\Data that points to C:\Games\WoWA\Data Repeat steps 6-9 for the Interface and Patches folders, naming them accordingly Repeat all steps for additional directories of WoW that you want pointed to the originalNow you should have an original WoW folder (~8 gigs) and additional WoW folders (~35 megs each) instead of a bunch of ~8 gig WoW folders. This saved me a LOT of space and my installation is much cleaner. My small 74 gig raptor couldn't be happier! Each copy has its own configuration and uses a common set of addons/data that is located in the original WoW directory.

[Khazrael]

Excellent write-up goose. I use a similar method (symbolic links for Vista) and I highly recommend it. Much lower maintenance, less space, no patch worries, the list goes on.

The thing I like most, is this allows quad core users such as myself to assign a different core affinity to each instance. Keyclone can do this, but only for an individual core (don't know about the other software options). With the config.wtf you can use the graph linked below to specify which core(s) you want it to spread across.

Core Graph: [Keyclone] Keyclone on 5-boxes : recommended CPU Affinity ? ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&postID=39414#post39414')
Official Blizzard post (theres some blue down lower): http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1778017311&sid=1

Also, I believe this post deserves a sticky. It's very well formed with a nice step by step layout that is easy for most people (I believe) to understand.

[roxide]

ok i can get this to work I keep getting

Failed to open archive interface.MPQ: The system cannot find the file specified

i have deleted Interface,data,patched in my second wow folder called WOWB and then i link with NTFS Junction to my WOWA (aka original) then i run wow.exe from wowb to load up but cant

http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1.ROX/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg

[Ughmahedhurtz]

This is basically just a shell for linkd.exe?

[RogueLover]

Sounds great, I think I'll give this a try! Thanks for the great guide!

Question: Can you also do a junction of the WTF/Account folder? I want to try to keep my addon data in sync, for things like my trinity templates, auctioneer data, etc... Or will that cause any bad repercussions?

[hotdogsrgross]

Like the gentleman above, I also got the ""Failed to open archive interface.MPQ:"

Steps I did.

I had 5 existing WoW folders. 1 in the default, and 4 on my C drive. When I deleted Data and Updates from the 4 folders on my C drive (it's not called Patch), I linked them just as the instructions said to do (to my default wow folder C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft).

When I did this, it deleted all the data in my default installation folder. I no longer had any files in C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Data or Updates. I could not replace it, since I deleted the Data and Updates folders from my other installations.

I am now reinstalling WoW....and will have to redo sooo many macros/addons etc.

I did not make a mistake. I did exactly as the instructions above say to do. I work in IT for a living, so it's not like I am a novice at this type of thing.

I will try it again once I have reinstalled/updated etc. I will post the results....and a fix to the above instructions incase someone else makes the mistake of doing this.

[hotdogsrgross]

After reinstalling and patching all night last night...I found out what caused this.

I am a bit humbled.....

Default install location (C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft) I will refer to as WoWA
Copied folder in custom location is WoWB

Once you create a link in WoWB to the Data/Updates folders in WoWA...

Anything you do to the link in WoWB will affect WoWA. XP does not recognize that the folder is actually empty and is pointing to a different location. It thinks that it is the actual folder. If you cut/paste WoWB to another location, it will cut/paste the Data or Updates folder in WoWA to where you put WoWB (but it doesn't actually move that data..it just deletes it). If you delete WoWB, it will delete the Data folder in WoWA.


So...moral of the story?

Make a freakin backup before you do this. Don't be stupid like me. I figured it was a simple operation, no need to backup 9gigs of data.

[gdzilla]

Well i'm also having the "Failed to open archive interface.MPQ" problem, when i try to launch wow from my WoWB folder.

When i launch it from the original folder it works like a charm...

Any ideas ?

[wougoose]

Well i'm also having the "Failed to open archive interface.MPQ" problem, when i try to launch wow from my WoWB folder.

When i launch it from the original folder it works like a charm...

Any ideas ?

You have an NTFS junction called "Data" in the WoWB folder that points to the original's "Data" folder?

I currently have the following linked since the 3.0.2 patch:

Data
Interface
Updates

[hotdogsrgross]

Just to add....

After working out the kinks, this did wonders for any lag I might have received. I lagged a bit when taking an FP into Shat...this made it completely disappear.

Thank you, OP!

[warcrazy]

thanks for the guide. i checked all the symlink/junction threads and this is the easiest to understand. i have 1 question though, how do you link updates. all my patches are not in the same folder.

[hotdogsrgross]

Sometimes, I have had to copy all files in my main folder (minus the Cache, Data, INterface, Logs, WTF and Updates folder) and paste them into my slaves folders. I do this when, after an update, it gives errors on my slaves in regards to file missing or corrupt. This is due to the fact that some updates modify the information in those particular files.

This resolves any updating issues, in my experience.