How to Change the Installation Location of World of Warcraft
To change where World of Warcraft (WoW) is installed, you can use the Battle.net launcher by selecting the game, clicking on the cogwheel next to the Play button, and then selecting Game Settings, where you can choose to use a different folder for the game’s installation. This process allows you to move your WoW installation to a different drive, such as an SSD, which can significantly improve the game’s loading times and overall performance by utilizing the faster read and write speeds of the solid-state drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Install WoW on an External Hard Drive?
Yes, you can install World of Warcraft on an external hard drive. The process involves changing the install location in the Battle.net launcher settings to the desired folder on the external drive. However, the performance may vary depending on the connection speed and the speed of the external hard drive.
How Do I Put WoW on My SSD?
To move WoW to an SSD, you need to open the Battle.net launcher, click on the cogwheel next to Play, select Game Settings, and then choose to use a different folder. You must ensure you are completely out of the game for this option not to be greyed out.
How Do I Move WoW Files?
You can relocate the WoW game folder by copying the World of Warcraft folder from the Program Files (x86) directory and pasting it to your SSD. This method requires you to switch off any running WoW processes to avoid file conflicts during the transfer.
Where is the Default WoW Installation Folder?
The default location for World of Warcraft installation is “C:Program FilesWorld of Warcraft”. This is where the game is installed if you don’t specify a different location during the installation process.
Should I Put WoW on SSD?
Yes, it is highly recommended to install WoW on an SSD. SSDs offer faster loading times, improved performance, and a better overall gaming experience compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs).
Can I Run WoW on an External SSD?
Running WoW from an external SSD is possible and can offer similar performance benefits to running it from an internal SSD, provided the connection (such as USB 3.0 or USB-C) is fast enough.
Can I Install WoW on an SD Card?
While it’s technically possible to install WoW on an SD card, it’s not recommended due to the typically slower speeds of SD cards compared to SSDs or even HDDs. However, if you have a very fast SD card, it might be feasible.
Can You Run WoW from a USB Drive?
Yes, you can run WoW from a USB drive, but the drive needs to have enough capacity (at least 70 GB for a full installation) and a fast connection to your computer to ensure decent performance.
How Do I Change Where a Game is Installed on Steam?
On Steam, you can change the installation location of a game by going to the Settings menu, selecting the Storage tab, and then choosing a different location for your game installations.
How Do I Play WoW in a Different Region?
To play WoW in a different region, you will need to purchase a new World of Warcraft license in that region, as WoW accounts and game progress are region-locked and cannot be transferred.
How Do I Change Where Origin Installs Games?
In Origin, you can move a game to a different installation path by right-clicking on the game in your library, selecting Move Game, and then choosing a new folder.
Does WoW Use CPU or GPU More?
World of Warcraft utilizes both the CPU and GPU, but the GPU plays a more significant role in determining the game’s performance, especially with graphics-intensive settings.
Does WoW Load Faster on an SSD?
Yes, WoW loads significantly faster on an SSD compared to a traditional HDD, thanks to the faster read speeds of SSDs.
What Should I Not Do to My SSD?
You should not defragment your SSD, as this can reduce its lifespan. Also, ensure that Auto-Defrag is disabled for your SSD in your operating system settings.
How Do I Save My Game Location?
Game saves for WoW are typically stored on your computer and can be backed up manually or through cloud services if available.
Why Does Battle.net Download Slow?
Slow download speeds on Battle.net can be due to a weak internet connection, outdated network drivers, or the app not utilizing the full available bandwidth.
How Do I Move Games to Another Drive in Windows 11?
In Windows 11, you can move installed programs, including games, to another drive by going to the Apps & Features settings, selecting the app, and choosing the Move option to relocate it to an external drive.
What Does WoW WTF Folder Mean?
The WTF folder in WoW stands for Warcraft Text File and contains configuration files and other game settings.
How Do I Reset the WoW Interface Folder?
To reset the WoW interface, you can rename the Interface and WTF folders to InterfaceOld and WTFOld, respectively, and then relaunch the game to generate new folders with default settings.
How to Reset WoW to Default Settings?
You can reset WoW to its default settings by clicking the cogwheel next to the Play button in the Battle.net launcher, selecting Game Settings, finding World of Warcraft, and clicking Reset In-Game Options.