Install & First Launch
Get from zero to a launched account in a couple of minutes.
1. Download
Grab the latest GW_Launcher.exe from the
releases page. Two builds are published:
| Build | When to use it |
|---|---|
Self-contained (GW_Launcher.exe) |
The default. Runs on any Windows machine — no extra installs. |
| Framework-dependent | Smaller, but needs the .NET 10 Desktop Runtime installed. |
When in doubt, take the self-contained build.
2. Put it in its own folder
GW Launcher writes files next to itself — Settings.json, Accounts.json, and a d3d9.dll
shim. Always place the .exe in a dedicated empty folder (e.g. C:\GW Launcher\) before running
it, never loose in Downloads or on the Desktop.
3. Run it
Double-click the executable. On first run it asks whether to encrypt your account info — choose Yes to protect saved logins behind a master password, or No to store them as plain JSON. You can change this later. See Encryption & Passwords.
An expected antivirus warning may appear on first launch — GW Launcher injects mods into the game (just like GWToolbox), which some scanners flag. It’s a false positive; see Troubleshooting.
4. Add your first account
Right-click the empty account list and pick Add New:
Right-click the listAdd NewFill in the account window, then Save:
- Email / Pass — your Guild Wars login (or tick Steam Account for a Steam copy — see Steam Accounts).
- Char — the character to display in the list.
- Path — click
...and point it at yourGw.exe. The launcher can later update it to the latest build for you. - Title — optional custom label shown in the list and window title.
Full details on every field are in Managing Accounts.
5. Launch
Double-click the account in the list. The launcher logs you in, renames the game window to the character/title, and the Status column flips to Active.
Want to run several accounts at once? See Run Multiple Accounts.