Accessing the public test realm Here is a full and complete step - by - step set of instructions for copying characters , downloading / installing the public test realm , running the PTR , patching and reinstalling the PTR , and getting on the public test realm and TTR . This guide is written for a beginner - level audience , but expects basic knowledge of using a web browser and getting around the filesystem . The most common errors posted on the PTR forum are caused by people not following the bolded instructions . Make sure to follow them ! Copying a character to the PTR is no longer a necessity to log into the PTR client , though it is recommended . Copying characters . In order to do useful testing on the Public Test Realm , QA has given us the ability to copy our own characters or to potentially use premade max - level and well - equipped characters to test on the PTR so we don ' t have to begin a level 1 character and level it instead of testing . To use premades , you must have updated your account to the latest version of the game at least 6 weeks before the PTR opened ! To actually copy a character , go to the character copy page and follow the instructions . Make sure you are not playing WoW when attempting to copy your character . Make sure you choose a realm that fits your play style , as there are both PvP and PvE test realms . Copying characters is a one - way operation : You will be copying your character from the real server you play on to the PTR , as it was when you last logged out . What you do on the PTR has no effect on your real character on the live realms . Your PTR character and all of its experience , items , and gold will not be getting transferred back to the live realms , either . " Premade " character copies may or may not be available , so take a quick look at the stickies on the Test Realm Forums . There tend to be issues with copying characters due to the immense demand that is placed on the servers handling the copies . If you are seeing errors , please cancel out and try again later . QA is usually aware of problems with the copy servers instantly , so please do not flood the forum with character - copy threads . That being said , the Estimated Queue Time is usually accurate , so simply be patient and wait until the character is copied . As long as the characters status is " " pending " " , the character will be copied . Downloading and installing the PTR . Now that your character is hopefully in the process of getting copied over to the test server that you selected , it ' s time to download the PTR . The download process has been updated now to use the Battle . net launcher as well . Updates will all be done automatically by the launcher , so you can always have the most up to date version of the PTR available after having installed it the first time via the " Install " button in the launcher . If you do not already have it , you can install the Battle . net launcher on the downloads page ( US , EU ; you will need to login ) and select " Windows " or " Mac " in order to download the client . Linux users should probably download the Windows version to run via Wine ( Please confirm this works ) . To locate the PTR install button , open the Battle . net launcher , click on the " World of Warcraft " tab . Then under the REGION / ACCOUNT header Change the game account to your " PTR : [ Current / next expansion ] " It should be the top one . After that , you simply wait for it to finish the download , and play from there just by swtiching which account you are using . Updating the PTR . Updating the PTR is now done automatically by the Battle . net launcher , you no longer even have to push a button , if you ' ve installed the PTR before all updates will download and install for you when they are released . Version Number . The public test realm uses a different version numbering system than Live . All PTR version numbers will begin with zero . This it to prevent the installer mistakenly installing the Data from the PTR over live . EG 0 . 2 = 3 . 2 PTR 0 . 3 . 0 = 3 . 3 PTR 0 . 3 . 3 = 3 . 3 . 3 PTR 0 . 3 . 5 = 3 . 3 . 5 PTR It will also have a build number as well at the end . EG 0 . 3 . 5 . 11993 is PTR 3 . 3 . 5 build 11993 . This can also assist you in understanding what each patch updater is going to do . EG WoW - 0 . 3 . 3 . 11685 - to - 0 . 3 . 5 . 11993 - enUS - ptr - patch . exe will update the 3 . 3 PTR to the 3 . 5 PTR Running the PTR . Running the PTR is now as simple as openinig the Battle . net launcher choosing the PTR : [ current / next expansion ] account under the REGION / ACCOUNT and clicking PLAY To get back to the PTR , there are a few options : Please note that you must use the password you had when the PTR activated . Your account as a whole must also have been active for at least seven weeks before the PTR was activated , if not since the date specified on the Character Copy page . If you would like to use the Launcher to access the PTR , but it doesn ' t show by default , click the " Show Launcher " checkbox in the lower - left corner of the login screen , log in and then exit out of WoW . The Launcher should then show . If you ' re getting stuck at " Connecting " or " Handshaking " while attempting to log in , follow the upcoming instructions , remembering to try to log in after completing each step : If you ' re frequently getting disconnected , follow the instructions at the following US Blizzard support articles : Why do I keep getting disconnected ? and Do NPCs and / or players show up as ' Unknown ? ' . That ' s it , good luck , and don ' t forget to report all of the bugs you find with the / bug tool in - game ! Reinstalling the PTR . Quick instructions for a clean reinstall : Uninstalling the PTR . If you no longer wish to take part in the Public Test realms you can uninstall the PTR if you wish . Unsupported platforms . For Linux , see Wine . There ' s also an AppDB entry for the 2 . 2 . 2 PTR . No doubt Cedega and Crossover Office have their own support channels . Blizz does not support WoW on any of these platforms - however they ' ve been known to be co - operative with those prepared to do the legwork to ascertain causes of bugs that are from upstream . Please , if you ' re going to use an unsupported platform to play WoW , caveat emptor and be prepared to do a lot of your own legwork if things don ' t go well . Just don ' t complain to Hortus in the Test Realm Forum , or to the Tech Support Forum , if / when things go wrong . Use your normal support channels for that . Installing UI modifications . Players can install UI mods for the PTR client much the same way that they would for the regular client , but with a few caveats : Courtesy of from : A simpler way to update character / server name in your WTF folder . Courtesy of Anúbereth from Earthen Ring EU : The above procedure described by Valyria can be accomplished more easily if you have a command line and perl . This is the case for OS X or Windows with cygwin or if you mount your Warcraft folder on a unix box . If you meet these requirements you can simply run the following two commands in your WTF folder to replace your character and server name in all files : Replace my character / server name with your name / server and you ' re done . Another way to update character / server name in your WTF folder . See Migrate WTF script for copying your WTF to the test realm installation . Common technical problems and fixes . Bluspacecow has quite a good thread with a lot of common technical problems and fixes for the PTR on wowinterface at : Public Test Realm install guide and common bugs & fixes