Description[]
This article is to try and help people find their World of Warcraft folder on MS Windows as the standard installation folder will vary depending on the version of MS Windows installed.
Possible Uses[]
It is needed as there are occasions where a user may be required to find it to:
- Delete/rename your "Interface" and "WTF" folders to resolve AddOn issues (often the first thing a GM will ask you to do if you are having in game issues).
- Manually copy/install AddOns without the use of an Automatic AddOn Updater.
- Find lua files from within the WTF folder to send data to AddOn authors so they can improve there AddOns or find fix bugs.
- Backup config files (normally stored in your WTF folder with the extension ".lua") or move/copy config files from PC to another.
- Find and view screenshots you have taken in game using the "Print Screen" button.
World of Warcraft Installation Locations[]
MS Windows XP and earlier[]
All versions of MS Windows up to and including XP installed by default in a subfolder (called "World of Warcraft") of the "Program Files" folder. For 32bit versions of MS Windows this can be found by going to Start - Run and typing "%ProgramFiles%" (this is an Environment variable). For 64bit versions of MS Windows this can be found by going to Start - Run and typing "%ProgramFiles(x86)%". If you are unsure if you have a 64bit or 32bit version of windows try the "%ProgramFiles(x86)%" folder and if it errors you must have a 32bit version of windows.
MS Window Vista and later[]
The location of World of Warcraft's installation folder after MS Windows Vista and later (including Windows 7) can vary. You can check check the same locations for Windows XP (mentioned above) but it should be location in the folder "Public" (use the Environment variable "%PUBLIC%" to find this) then the subfolder "Games" then again the subfolder "World of Warcraft"
Alternative Methods[]
Another way to locate your World of Warcraft installation folder is to right click on the World of Warcraft icon you use to start World of Warcraft and goto "Properties" then in the new window that opens click "Open File Location" or "Find Target..". This will open an new Explorer window with the World of Warcraft installation folder open.
Important Folders[]
Inside the World of Warcraft installation folder are several Important Folders. These are listed below:
Interface[]
The "Interface" folder contains another folder called "Addons" and this in turn contains all of your AddOns currently installed for this installation of WoW. If you delete or rename this folder and start WoW you will have no AddOns installed.
WTF[]
The "WTF" folder contains ALL the config files for this installation of World of Warcraft including all AddOn config files for all Characters played on this installation of World of Warcraft.
Cache[]
World of Warcraft uses this folder to store temporary data it downloads or generates during normal game play. It is safe to completely delete this folder as it will be recreated the next time the game is started.
Fixing Game Issues[]
If you are having issues with World of Warcraft that you suspect is caused by an AddOn and disabling all Addons didn't solve it then rename both the "WTF" and "Interface" folders to something like "WTF_Backup" and "Interface_Backup" respectfully and delete the "Cache" folder completely then reload WoW. If the problem goes away it was caused by an AddOn or config. You can then Rename the "Interface_Backup" folder back to "Interface" (you may need to delete the one WoW creates) and try again. If your problem doesn't come back it was likely a config issue and you can try re-setting up all of your AddOns again from scratch.