Multiple instances without tons of wasted harddrive space.
Ok, now you've got multiple copies of WoW on your harddrive, and each one takes up 7 or so gigs. also, updating the addons for that many copies is a pain!
So how do you fix that problem while maintaining seperate keybinds/macros/resolutions/graphics settings per install? Not to mention file conflict issues. Well, there is an easy way. First, you'll need a program you may not have. it's called "linkd" (it's microsoft). You should be able to get it off microsoft's site.
Then, go into one of your wow directories and delete all the files in the dir and the following folders: "Data" and "Interface". Leave everything in the other folders.
Then, you'll need to set up two batch files:
CreateInstanceLinks.bat
Code:
fsutil hardlink create "WoW.exe" "[main wow dir]\WoW.exe"
...[same for all other exe, wtf, and dll file]...
linkd "Data" "[main wow dir]\Data"
linkd "Interface" "[main wow dir]\Data"
DeleteInstanceLinks.bat
Code:
del WoW.exe
...[same for all other exe, wtf, and dll file]...
linkd /D Data
linkd /D Interface
place those in the directory and run the Create one. You now have a working copy of wow that takes up SIGNIFICANTLY less space.
PROS:
1. a ton less space wasted.
2. addons only need to be updated in one folder to update all folders.
CONS:
1. complex to set up.
2. cannot maintain different addons in different copies.
3. slightly slower load times with > 3 or so instances running.
NOTES:
DO NOT DELETE THE COPY DIR BEFORE RUNNING DeleteInstanceLinks.bat! If you do, the Data and Interface folders in ALL linked copies will be emptied.
Make sure to back everything up BEFORE you try this. I'm not the best at writing guides, and if you get confused, you could screw up your install.
