World of Warcraft: Forever runs through the same launcher as the rest of World of Warcraft, but it is a separate game version with its own folder, its own settings and its own addons. This guide walks you through download and access, shows which graphics cards Forever requires and explains the settings you make on the first start. If something goes wrong, the troubleshooting guide helps.
Access: subscription or Game Time
You don't need a separate product for Forever. Access is included with an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time. With your subscription you play not just the current expansion but Forever as well.
Only the new race costs extra: the Skyborne and their starting zone require the Skyborne Heroic Pack or a higher upgrade. The other upgrades add cosmetics and further benefits. Everything about the new race is in the Skyborne guide, and the race database compares all races.
Installing in the Battle.net app
Forever is available for Windows and macOS. Here is how to install it:
- Update your operating system and graphics drivers.
- Open the Battle.net app, sign in and let it update.
- Select World of Warcraft in the games list.
- In the Game Version dropdown above the Play button, choose WoW: Forever.
- If you have several WoW accounts, a second dropdown appears. Pick the account with active Game Time there.
- Click Install and wait for the progress bar to finish.
- Start the game with Play.
The cog next to "Play" later gives you "Show in Explorer" (Finder on a Mac) and "Scan and Repair" in case files get damaged.
System requirements and graphics card
Blizzard lists the full minimum requirements on the product page in the Battle.net Shop. The graphics card matters most, because Forever's updated visuals rely on a specific shader feature that only became common around 2012. Your GPU has to be based on one of these architectures or a newer one:
| Vendor | Minimum architecture | Supported (example) | No longer supported (example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMD | Graphics Core Next 1 (2012) | Radeon HD 7850 | Radeon HD 6950 |
| NVIDIA | Maxwell (2014) | GeForce GTX 750, 750 Ti, GTX 9xx | GeForce GTX 760, 770, 780, GTX 8xxM |
| Intel | Skylake (2015) | Intel HD Graphics 530 | Intel HD Graphics 6000 |
Important: the cards in the "Supported" column will start the game, but they are well below the actual minimum requirements. You won't get smooth gameplay with them.
To see which card your Windows PC has, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, or look under "Display adapters" in Device Manager.
First start: preset and models
On your first login, Forever asks for an Experience Preset. You can choose Classic or Enhanced. The choice is not final: switch at any time under Options > System > Preset. If you are unsure, try both during the first levels.
For each new character you also decide whether it uses HD or SD models. This only changes the look, not the stats. You can change it later in the options or at a barber.
After that you pick your region and ruleset. This choice matters for playing together: groups only exist within one ruleset, and on PvP you play just one faction. Agree on it beforehand; details are in the guide on playing with friends.
Names, language and interface
Every character gets a two-part name that has to be unique in your region. You can hide the second part above your character in the nameplate options; it stays visible in chat.
Under Options > System > Languages and Social you set your preferred online language. It applies to all characters on your account and can only be changed once every 24 hours.
If you prefer a controller, turn it on in the options under Gameplay > Gamepad. Support is still in beta: any XInput-compatible controller works, and the game shows Xbox and PlayStation button icons. You still need a keyboard to type in chat, though, and not every window has been adapted for controllers yet.
Addons: the _forever_ folder
Forever has its own addon folder: World of Warcraft\_forever_\Interface\AddOns. If Interface and AddOns don't exist yet, create both folders yourself. The quickest way to open the path is the cog next to "Play" and "Show in Explorer".
Addons from Classic or retail don't work automatically. Every addon needs an interface version in its TOC file that matches Forever. So only install addon versions that have explicitly been updated for Forever. If an addon causes errors, resetting your interface as described in the troubleshooting guide helps.
Ready to start
Once everything is installed, it is worth preparing a little: plan your talents in the talent calculator, compare the rulesets under rulesets and regions and read the launch checklist with everything that is new compared to Classic.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install WoW: Forever?
In the Battle.net app, select World of Warcraft, choose WoW: Forever in the Game Version dropdown above the Play button and click Install. Once the download is done, start the game with Play.
Does WoW: Forever cost extra?
No. Access is included with an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne race, however, requires at least the Skyborne Heroic Pack.
Does WoW: Forever run on a Mac?
Yes. The Battle.net app and the game are available for Windows and macOS.
Can I change the Experience Preset later?
Yes. You choose between Classic and Enhanced on your first login and can switch at any time under Options > System > Preset.