277 lines
12 KiB
Markdown
277 lines
12 KiB
Markdown
# 🛠️ WoW Modernization Tool
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[](https://github.com/Dusk-92/Modernization-Tool/actions/workflows/build.yml)
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[](https://github.com/Dusk-92/Modernization-Tool/releases/latest)
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A simple all-in-one setup tool for **Vanilla WoW 1.12 compatible clients**.
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Modernization Tool installs and configures client fixes, performance plugins, Vanilla Tweaks, DXVK and optional visual/audio improvements without requiring users to manually manage DLLs or configuration files.
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> 💡 Hover over any setting inside the tool to see an explanation of what it does.
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---
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## ⬇️ Download
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Download the latest version from:
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**[GitHub Releases](https://github.com/Dusk-92/Modernization-Tool/releases/latest)**
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No installation is required. Download and run:
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`WoW_Modernization_Tool.exe`
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---
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## 🚀 Quick Start
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1. Launch **WoW_Modernization_Tool.exe**
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2. Select your Vanilla WoW game folder.
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3. Choose your renderer, plugins and optional tweaks.
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4. Click **Apply Setup & Tweaks**.
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5. Launch the game using **Play Modernized WoW**.
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The launcher shortcut is automatically created:
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- 📁 inside your WoW folder
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- 🖥️ on your Windows Desktop
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> ⚠️ Use **Play Modernized WoW** to launch the modernized client.
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---
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# 🎮 Rendering
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Two rendering modes are available:
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### [VanillaFixes](https://github.com/hannesmann/vanillafixes) — DirectX 9
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The default option.
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Uses WoW's native DirectX 9 renderer together with VanillaFixes.
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### VanillaFixes + [DXVK](https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk) — Vulkan
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Uses DXVK to translate DirectX 9 to Vulkan.
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DXVK is bundled with the tool and can be selected directly from the renderer options.
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Existing custom DirectX wrapper files are backed up rather than blindly deleted when switching renderers.
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---
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# 🧩 Client Plugins & Sources
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## Recommended Core
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The tool can install and configure several recommended client extensions:
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- **[Nampower](https://github.com/brues-code/nampower)** — improves spell responsiveness and latency handling. Settings addon: [NampowerSettings](https://github.com/brues-code/NampowerSettings).
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- **[UnitXP_SP3](https://github.com/brues-code/UnitXP_SP3)** — adds networking, targeting, Lua and client improvements.
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- **[SuperWoW](https://github.com/balakethelock/SuperWoW)** — expands the Vanilla Lua API and improves addon compatibility. Its companion API addon is [SuperAPI](https://github.com/balakethelock/SuperAPI).
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- **[TransmogFix](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — prevents performance drops caused by rapid appearance updates.
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- **[PerfBoost](https://github.com/RetroCro/TurtleWoW-Mods)** — provides additional unit rendering/performance controls. Configuration addon: [PerfBoost Settings](https://gitea.com/avitasia/PerfBoostSettings).
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- **[WeirdPerformance](https://codeberg.org/Dusk92/WeirdUtils)** — lightweight client optimizations aimed at improving FPS and reducing UI memory leaks for smoother gameplay.
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- **[VanillaHelpers](https://github.com/isfir/VanillaHelpers)** — extends several Vanilla client limits.
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- **[ClassicAPI](https://github.com/brues-code/ClassicAPI)** — adds newer WoW API functions for compatible addons.
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- **[AuctionQueryThrottle](https://github.com/brues-code/AuctionQueryThrottle)** — removes the fixed delay between Auction House queries.
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## Optional Plugins
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Optional client-side improvements include:
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- **[VanillaMultiMonitorFix](https://github.com/Mates1500/VanillaMultiMonitorFix)** — improved resolution, refresh-rate and monitor detection.
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- **[Interact](https://github.com/lookino/Interact)** — adds a modern Interact key for NPCs, objects, gathering nodes and loot.
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- **[No1600x1200](https://github.com/RetroCro/TurtleWoW-Mods#no1600x1200)** — fixes the old Vanilla resolution limitation on some systems.
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- **[BigCursor](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — upscales the hardware cursor for better visibility on modern high-resolution displays without sacrificing sharpness.
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- **[CustomAssets](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — allows loose game files to be loaded directly from the `Data/` folder and supports custom multi-character patch names without repacking MPQ archives.
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- **[LogSessions](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — automatically organizes combat and chat logs into clean per-character, per-day files when you log in.
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- **[MinimapIcons](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — adds TBC/WotLK-style minimap tracking icons for NPCs and game objects, with a combined tracking menu and saved preferences.
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- **[PNG Screenshots](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — saves screenshots as compressed PNG files instead of the default uncompressed TGA format, using background processing to minimize frame-time impact.
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- **[WorldMarkers](https://codeberg.org/MarcelineVQ/WeirdUtils)** — lets party or raid leaders place up to five animated, Cataclysm-style colored world markers for positioning and tactical planning.
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- **[Discord Rich Presence](https://github.com/Dusk-92/WowPresence)** — installs and keeps **WowPresence** up to date. The Tool preconfigures the OctoWoW Discord Application ID and lets you choose which character details are shown on Discord, including **Name, Guild, Race, Faction, Class, Level and Zone**. Custom Discord Application IDs are preserved across updates.
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---
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# ⚙️ Vanilla Tweaks
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Modernization Tool integrates the modern **[tubtubs/vanilla-tweaks](https://github.com/tubtubs/vanilla-tweaks)** patcher.
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Available settings include:
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- Field of View
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- Render Distance
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- Ground Clutter Distance
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- Nameplate Distance
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- Camera Distance
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- Sound Channels
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- Always Auto-Loot
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- Background Sounds
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- Large Address Aware
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- Camera Skip Fix
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- DEP compatibility
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- Unlimited AddOn Script Memory
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- Cross-Faction Resurrection Fix
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- Custom Glues Patch
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- [Automatic WDB management](https://github.com/RetroCro/TurtleWoW-Mods#automatically-clear-wdb-folder-every-time-you-launch-turtle-wow)
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When **SuperWoW** already provides a feature, the equivalent vanilla-tweaks patch is automatically skipped to avoid duplicate modifications.
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---
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# 🌙 Visual Mods
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Optional visual modifications are available directly from the tool:
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- **[Bluemoon Patch](https://github.com/tubtubs/vanilla-tweaks)** — restores the rare blue moon effect.
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- **[Darker Nights](https://projectreforged.github.io/vanilla/downloads/turtle/)** — darker and more atmospheric nights.
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- **[Pretty Night Sky](https://github.com/RetroCro/TurtleWoW-Mods)** — improved starry night sky.
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- **[Epoch Water](https://github.com/RetroCro/TurtleWoW-Mods)** — alternative water textures.
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- **[Fog Pushback](https://github.com/RetroCro/TurtleWoW-Mods)** — moves environmental fog farther away.
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- **[Pink Herbs](https://github.com/seacrabsam/patch-herb)** — makes herb nodes much easier to spot.
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All visual mods are **disabled by default**.
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---
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# 🔊 Audio Mods
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Optional sound replacements include:
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- **[NoErrorSounds](https://github.com/Macumbafeh/NoErrorSounds)** — removes repetitive error/fizzle and interface sounds.
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- **[FishPing](https://github.com/notsureawake/FishPing)** — replaces the fishing bite sound with a clearer ping.
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- **[Warlock Muted Demons](https://github.com/spzilyk/Warlock-Muted-Demons)** — mutes repetitive Warlock demon voice lines.
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All audio mods are **disabled by default**.
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---
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# 🔄 Automatic Updates & Offline Fallbacks
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Supported components are downloaded directly from their upstream projects when possible.
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Modernization Tool is designed to avoid breaking an existing installation if an online source becomes unavailable.
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Depending on the component, the tool can:
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- keep an already installed valid version;
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- use a bundled known-good fallback where redistribution terms allow it;
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- avoid re-downloading files that are already current.
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**SuperWoW and SuperAPI prefer their upstream sources:** SuperWoW is downloaded
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from its official stable release and SuperAPI follows the current upstream
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`master` revision. If either online source is unavailable, the tool can install
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the bundled known-good SuperWoW + SuperAPI fallback instead.
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**WowPresence uses layered fallbacks.** A successful download refreshes a
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validated local cache, while an already valid installed copy can seed that cache
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when possible. Cache write failures never block a successful normal install.
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Release builds also include a verified known-good WowPresence fallback for
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first-time offline installation.
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**Visual MPQ mods do not use offline fallbacks.** If their source is unavailable,
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the Tool keeps an already valid installed copy unchanged; a first-time install
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still requires access to the original source.
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**No1600x1200 uses the bundled known-good copy** instead of following the
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RetroCro archive repository automatically.
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Downloaded, cached and bundled DLLs are validated before installation.
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---
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# 💾 Safe Configuration Management
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Modernization Tool remembers settings separately for each WoW installation.
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It also:
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- preserves manually added `dlls.txt` entries;
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- preserves comments and unknown DLL entries;
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- detects incompatible plugin combinations;
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- validates the selected Vanilla client before modifying it;
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- performs important file replacements transactionally;
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- protects unknown/custom renderer files;
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- safely manages WDB ownership.
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---
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# 🔐 AutoLogin
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[Vanilla AutoLogin](https://github.com/MarcelineVQ/turtle-autologin) can optionally save account and character shortcuts on the login screen.
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When **AutoLogin + Nampower** are enabled together, Modernization Tool automatically creates or reuses the Windows user encryption key required by Nampower.
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Password encryption is enabled by default when available.
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Existing encryption keys are never replaced.
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> 🔒 Your encryption key is stored in the Windows user environment and is not written to the WoW folder.
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---
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# 📝 Updating Modernization Tool
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Updating from an older version does **not** require reinstalling WoW.
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Simply:
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1. Download the latest Modernization Tool release.
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2. Select your existing WoW folder.
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3. Review your settings.
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4. Click **Apply Setup & Tweaks** again.
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Your per-installation settings will be restored automatically.
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---
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# 🛡️ Antivirus Notice
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Because Modernization Tool creates a patched `WoW_Modernized.exe` and installs client-side DLL plugins, some antivirus products may flag the executable or some included components.
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The original `WoW.exe` is not modified in place.
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Always download Modernization Tool from the official GitHub Releases page.
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---
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# 🔗 Useful Links
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- **[Latest Release](https://github.com/Dusk-92/Modernization-Tool/releases/latest)**
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- **[OctoWoW Installation & Modernization Guide](https://octowow.st/forum/viewtopic.php?t=831)**
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---
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# ❤️ Credits
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Modernization Tool builds on the work of the community projects and developers linked throughout this README.
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Thank you to all upstream authors and contributors whose work makes this project possible. Additional attribution is available directly in the **Credits** tab of Modernization Tool.
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---
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## 🧾 Licensing & Provenance
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Modernization Tool is an independent community project. Third-party components
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retain their own licenses, permissions, and trademarks.
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For detailed redistribution and provenance information, see:
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- [THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md](THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md)
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- [PROJECT_IDENTITY.md](PROJECT_IDENTITY.md)
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- [Docs/BINARY_PROVENANCE.md](Docs/BINARY_PROVENANCE.md)
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- [Docs/ASSET_PROVENANCE.md](Docs/ASSET_PROVENANCE.md)
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- [LICENSES/](LICENSES/)
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SuperWoW and SuperAPI prefer their upstream projects, with a bundled known-good
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pair available as an offline fallback. Other remote components use the fallback
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behavior described in **Automatic Updates & Offline Fallbacks** above.
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---
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## Disclaimer
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Modernization Tool is a community project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Blizzard Entertainment.
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World of Warcraft and Warcraft are trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment.
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