Installation

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==Downloads==
Download these files before proceeding:
#Visual C++ 2013 Runtime (x86)
#Visual C++ 2015-2019 Runtime (x86)
#All 5 Final Fantasy files located at PlayOnline.com
#FFXI Private Server Patch files (Right click and "Open in New Tab")
#FFXI Xiloader
#Windower or Ashita
Note: This guide assumes installation of Final Fantasy XI to C:\Program Files (x86).
If you choose to install to a different directory, replace C:\Program Files (x86) with the location where you installed FFXI.
==Install Visual C++ Runtime Files==
Install Visual C++ 2015 Runtime -and- (x86) Visual C++ 2013 Runtime (x86).
==Verify DirectPlay setting==
The Final Fantasy XI installer should take care of this setting, but to ensure there are no issues as a result of this setting, perform the following:
*Click the Windows Start Menu at the bottom left.
*Type Turn Windows Features on or off and press the Enter Key on your keyboard.
* Fill the check boxes under Legacy Components and Direct Play.
*Click OK.
==Installing and updating FFXI==
Double click "FFXIFullSetup_US.part1.exe" to extract the installation files.
Inside the extracted location, double click FFXISetup.exe to begin installation.
Once the Install is finished, ppen PlayOnline and let it update.
*PlayOnline will relaunch after the update with the choice "Start PlayOnline Registration" or "For PlayOnline Members".
*Click "For PlayOnline Members".
*Fill in the settings so they match the following (PlayOnline Password is also 1234567):
*Click OK.
*Exit PlayOnline by clicking Exit, then Yes.
====FFXI Private Server Patch files====
Right Click the "FFXI-UpdatePatch.zip" and select Extract All... then click the Extract button.
*The folder will open. Click Select All on the top right.
*Click Copy on the left.
*Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\
*Right Click on an empty space and select Paste. Choose to Replace the files in the destination when prompted.
====Repair FFXI Files====
*Open PlayOnline.
*Click Check Files as shown below. 
*Important: Select FINAL FANTASY XI in the drop down menu. Click Check Files. Typically takes 15-20 minutes or less, depending on your internet connection. (Your version may be different than shown below)
*When the file check is complete, click the File Repair button. 
*PlayOnline will then check and repair the files. This takes less than 30-60 minutes, depending on connection speed.
====After File Check and Repair====
*After the file check is complete, navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\PlayOnlineViewer.
*Right-click the "data" folder and select Copy.
*Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI
*Right Click an empty space in the folder and click Paste. Choose to Replace the files in the destination when prompted.
*You should now have the "data" folder inside your /FINAL FANTASY XI/ folder.
==Xiloader==
Copy and Paste the xiloader.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\PlayOnlineViewer
==Connecting with Windower==
[Important for Windows 7 users: Update to Service Pack 1 and install .NET 4.5.x before proceeding]
Download and extract Windower (stable release) to the folder of your choice. (example: Desktop\Windower4) If you download/extract to where you installed Final Fantasy, you'll have issues editing configuration files in the future.
Double clicking the Windower.exe file will extract numerous folders and update itself.
*Create and name a profile once Windower opens. You'll need this Profile Name later on in these instructions.
*Highlight the new profile, and click on the pencil icon to adjust your desired settings.
*Click the pin icon ("Pin to Desktop") to create a desktop shortcut.
*Exit Windower.
*Navigate to the new pinned icon, Right Click and select Properties. 
*For Level Down 99 server
*Add (do not replace) the bold text to the end of the target line: -p="Profile Name" --executable=xiloader.exe --args="--server ffxileveldown.ddns.net"
*For Level Down 75 server
*Add (do not replace) the bold text to the end of the target line: -p="Profile Name" --executable=xiloader.exe --args="-—server ffxileveldown75.ddns.net "
*Click OK. Profile Name is whatever you named your profile (do not use "1080", substitute your specific Profile Name).
*The xiloader window will open, where you can log in and register a new account. To create a new account, enter 2 and hit the Enter Key, then type your username and password. Confirm your password when prompted.
*To log in, type 1 and then type the username and password of your choice.
*Once you log in, Final Fantasy will start and you can create your character, choose your starting town, and get playing!
*For Level Down 99 server
*To save your password for future logins, add the bold text to the the target line: -p="Profile Name" --executable=xiloader.exe --args="--server ffxileveldown.ddns.net" --username YOURUSERNAME --pass YOURPASSWORD
*For Level Down 75 server 
*To save your password for future logins, add the bold text to the the target line: -p="Profile Name" --executable=xiloader.exe --args="-—server ffxileveldown75.ddns.net " --username YOURUSERNAME --pass YOURPASSWORD
If you have issues: Set Pol.exe and xiloader.exe to run as administrator by right-clicking on them and going Properties, opening the Compatibility tab and clicking the Run as Administrator checkbox at the bottom of the window.
==Connecting with Ashita==
Ashita can be setup very easily with minimal steps and some players find it easier to connect with than Windower.
Ashita Download: https://www.ashitaxi.com/. Place into the folder of your choice (example: Desktop\Ashita).
When you double click Ashita.exe, it will extract folders and update itself.
Boot Configuration Info:
*File: .\\ffxi-bootmod\\xiloader.exe (when adding xiloader to the "File:" line. Make sure to change the bottom right hand corner from "Playonline executable (POL.exe)" to "Executable files (*.exe) ")
*For Level Down 99 server
*Command: --server ffxileveldown.ddns.net --user YOURUSERNAME --pass YOURPASSWORD
*For Level Down 75 server 
*Command: --server ffxileveldown75.ddns.net --user YOURUSERNAME --pass YOURPASSWORD
====Ability to Switch to other Programs while playing====
If you would like to be able to ALT-TAB out to other programs or play a second instance of Ashita for a second (alt) character (without crashing!), fill the checkbox in the following setting under "Window":
*Windowed Mode
Also be sure that the "Final Fantasy XI Config" tool is set to:
*Borderless Window
Lastly, be sure UAC is not set to prompt upon launch, or it will crash.