Getting Started

## Join Our Online Community!

### **Discord**

Here is the link to our exclusive Discord server. We rely heavily on communication through Discord, whether it is between players or news and announcements from the development team.

It is by no means mandatory that you join us on Discord, but we'd love for you to join our community!

## Vrtra/FFXI Installation & Setup

Already have FFXI installed? You can skip straight to setup for Windower or Ashita.

Otherwise, proceed with the steps below.

**Note: If you are beginning this installation from scratch, it could take up to a day - the file check for a fresh installation can be up to 8 hours long. Please plan accordingly!**

Note for Steam Users: Your file locations will be different, placed under the SteamApps folder. Please adjust accordingly.

## Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

Download vcredist\_x86.exe 2015 from the Microsoft website and run it.

* If your computer says you have a newer version and not to install this old one, go ahead and leave it.

## PlayOnline Viewer/FFXI Installation

* Start with the official installation guide. Follow the instructions located here: Installing POL & FFXI
* Download all 4 files to the same location. This may take several hours. You cannot run FFXISETUP.exe until ALL files have finished downloading, and are in the same folder.
* Install everything to the default location, when it asks, unless you know for sure that you normally install programs elsewhere.

* The shortcut to Final Fantasy XI is not needed. Uncheck the box when it asks.
* When complete, open PlayOnline.
* Click next to let it update, and it will restart itself when it's done.
* When it re-opens, click "For PlayOnline Members!".
* Type in any Member Name. **You will not use this information after this point. It's just to get going.**
* Use ABCD1234 for the PlayOnline ID. **Again, you won't need this again.**
* Skip the rest of the fields, and press "Register", then "Yes".
	+ There is no need to remember or write down any of the information you typed in. It will not be used after this point. It is only to get you into PlayOnline the first time.
* click "Check Files" on the left side of the window.
* On the next screen, use the drop down menu to select "Final Fantasy XI".
* Make sure you don't leave it on PlayOnline Viewer, as it will be there by default.
* Click Check Files.
* When it's done checking, it will say it found files to repair. Click the option to repair the files.
* Allow this process to complete before following the next step.

## Copying the "Data" Folder **(CRITICAL!)**

* Navigate to the PlayOnlineViewer folder where you installed the game, usually located at C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\PlayOnlineViewer.
* Copy the folder named "data".
* Paste it into your Final Fantasy XI folder where you installed the game, usually located at C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI.

## You're done with installation!

The next step is installing Windower or Ashita so you can get into the game. Windower and Ashita are used by many retail players as well as private server users, and they include extensive add-ons and plugins.

Windower Setup

* Preferred by more technical players, and has more advanced plugins. Can sometimes be difficult to set up, but some people have no problems. Our personal favorite!

Ashita Setup

* Still has good plugins, but much easier to set up.

Make sure you setup Renamer also, Check this page out for more info Renamer (if you downloaded our ashita its included already)

## Common Installation Problems

Please check out our Troubleshooting page for some solutions to common problems during installation.