Downloading FFXI to a USB drive?

[Kutsurabi]

I tried downloading FFXI to a 16 GB USB drive but I didn't seem to do it correctly. On my computer(FFXI downloaded) PoL will open then shut down giving me an error and then when I connect it to my laptop I get the problem with the registry files not being there. Anyone mine giving me some help on this? Much thanks.

[xerodok]

Tell the installer to use a folder on the USB drive for the install path [USBDrive:\FFXI], and it'll work fine.

[Kutsurabi]

Well that's what I did, I installed it to the drive but it won't open.

[Dmitry]

I looked into this before. I believe you need to make changes to the registry to tell FFXI to look for the files on the USB drive, but it's been a while so I don't remember exactly what needs to be done.

[Rellikard]

Junction it. Install it normally on your hard drive.

Here's an example how you'll do it:

OS drive = C
Flash Drive = E

• Open CMD Promt as Admin
  
• Move the PlayOnline folder from C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline to the root of the E drive.
  
• In CMD promt, type mklink /j C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline E:\PlayOnline
  
• Should get "Junction created for C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline <==> E:\PlayOnline" (Note: You can call the folder on the flash drive whatever you want. Just make sure you list that folder name under the folder on the right during the junction.

The folder has a link on C to the folder on E and Windows thinks it's really on C. Essentially Junction = creating a super shortcut. I currently do this since I don't want FFXI on my 80GB SSD.

Pics:

Spoiler: show

[Kutsurabi]

Alright, trying it out now, but I don't think that will work if I take USB to other computers. Will it?

[Rellikard]

It will not because registry keys are on your computer. This is a one computer thing, not portable software.

[Snowknight26]

Just backup the registry keys the installer/FFXI makes and run the .reg file every time you switch computers.

[Kutsurabi]

Where can i find those .reg files and is there any special way I need to back them up? And by run I just need to open the file right? *does not understand computers*

[Caiyuo]

Have you considered trying something like VMware Thinapp? The only downside I can see here would be needing to repack for updates.