Install Guide

## Required Files (See this section first!)

Download these files before proceeding:

1. Visual C++ 2013 Runtime (x86)
2. Visual C++ 2015-2019 Runtime (x86)
3. North American players: All 5 files located at PlayOnline.com If you're in the EU, you may use these files instead.**\***
4. DSP Patch files (Right click and "Open in New Tab")
5. xiloader
6. Windower (stable release) or Ashita

**\***These files will save several hours of updating versus the old 4 file installer.

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 T**urn 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**.

#### DSP 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**.
* *Add* (do not replace) the bold text to the *end* of the target line:
**`-p="Profile Name" --executable=xiloader.exe --args="--server game.hokutens.com"`**
* 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!
* To save your password for *future logins*, add the bold text to the the target line:
`-p="Profile Name" --executable=xiloader.exe --args="--server game.hokutens.com" **--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\\pol.exe`
* Command: `--server game.hokutens.com --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.*