Installing World of Warcraft on a new computer involves a straightforward process, primarily managed through the official game launcher.
How Do I Install WoW on a New Computer?
To install World of Warcraft on a new computer, you'll first need to download and install the Battle.net desktop application, which serves as the central hub for all Blizzard games, including WoW. Once the Battle.net app is installed, you can then proceed to download and install World of Warcraft directly through it.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Download the Battle.net Desktop Application
The first step is to obtain the official Battle.net installer for your operating system.
- Visit the Official Website: Navigate to the official Battle.net website. You'll typically find a section dedicated to downloading games or the Battle.net desktop app itself.
- Locate the Download Option: Look for a prominent "Download Games" or "Get Battle.net App" button.
- Select Your Platform: World of Warcraft supports both Windows and Mac operating systems. Ensure you select the correct platform download link for your computer.
- Initiate Download: Click on the designated download button to begin downloading the Battle.net installer file (e.g.,
Battle.net-Setup.exe
for Windows orBattle.net-Setup.zip
for Mac).
2. Install the Battle.net Application
Once the Battle.net installer file has finished downloading:
- Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded file (usually in your browser's default download folder) and double-click it to run the Battle.net setup wizard.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts: The installer will guide you through the process, prompting you to agree to terms, select an installation location, and initiate the installation. This process is generally quick.
3. Install World of Warcraft
With the Battle.net application successfully installed, you can now proceed to install World of Warcraft itself.
- Launch Battle.net: Open the Battle.net desktop application.
- Log In: If prompted, log in with your Battle.net account credentials. If you don't have one, you'll need to create a free account.
- Navigate to World of Warcraft: On the left-hand side of the Battle.net application, you will see a list of Blizzard games. Click on the World of Warcraft icon.
- Start Installation: On the World of Warcraft game page within the Battle.net app, you will find a large "Install" button. Click this button to begin the installation process.
- Choose Installation Location (Optional): You may be prompted to select a directory where you want to install the game. The default location is usually fine, but you can change it if you prefer.
- Monitor Download and Installation: The Battle.net application will now begin downloading the necessary game files and installing World of Warcraft. This can take some time depending on your internet connection speed and the size of the game files. You can monitor the progress directly within the app.
Pre-Installation Considerations
Before you begin the installation, it's wise to consider the following:
- System Requirements: Ensure your new computer meets the minimum system requirements for World of Warcraft. While the game is relatively well-optimized, having a capable machine ensures a smoother experience.
- Internet Connection: A stable and fast internet connection is crucial, as the game client is quite large (often over 100 GB).
- Disk Space: Make sure you have sufficient free disk space on your chosen drive for the game and future updates.
World of Warcraft System Requirements (General Guidelines)
Component | Minimum | Recommended |
---|---|---|
Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit or macOS 10.12 (Sierra) | Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.15 (Catalina) |
Processor | Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 3 | Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 |
Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
Graphics | DirectX 11 compatible GPU | DirectX 12 compatible GPU |
Storage | SSD with 128 GB available space | SSD with 256 GB available space |
Internet | Broadband Internet connection | Broadband Internet connection |
Note: These are general guidelines; always check the most current requirements on the official Battle.net website.
Post-Installation Steps
Once World of Warcraft is fully installed:
- Updates: The Battle.net app will automatically check for and download any necessary game updates or patches. Ensure the game is fully updated before launching to avoid issues.
- Launch and Play: Once the installation and any updates are complete, the "Install" button will change to a "Play" button. Click this to launch World of Warcraft and begin your adventure!