Q. What is WowMatrix?

A. WowMatrix helps you download, install and update from a selection of quality World of Warcraft AddOns created by your favorite AddOn authors from all over the world.

Q. Is WowMatrix safe to use?

A. Yes, absolutely. We are probably even more paranoid about security than you are. That's also one of the reasons we created our own software, so we can update our own World of Warcraft AddOns easily without worrying about spyware or keyloggers.

In fact, WowMatrix comes with a security feature built-in that prevents executable files from being extracted from AddOn downloads. This eliminates the possibility of installing AddOns containing harmful executable components.

For more details about how to keep your game account and other personal details secure, please visit our Safe Computing page.

Q. Is WowMatrix really free to use?

A. Yes, it is. At this time, there are no plans to charge any fees. We originally created this software for ourselves and felt we really had to share it with the world since it saves people so many hours of precious time.

We're constantly adding new features to WowMatrix based on suggestions from thousands of happy users worldwide. We do receive donations from time to time from kind souls, which helps keep the project alive.

Q. Does WowMatrix run on Windows Vista?

A. Yes, WowMatrix will automatically detect if you are running Windows Vista and configure itself to run correctly based on how your computer is set up.

Q. How do I install WowMatrix?

A. Simply download WowMatrix from our website, extract it from the zip file and place it anywhere you wish, such as your desktop for easy access.

Q. How do I un-install WowMatrix?

A. On Windows, drag WowMatrix to the Recycle Bin. On a Mac or Linux computer, drag WowMatrix to the Trash. If you also wish to un-install any in-game WoW AddOns, remember to use WowMatrix to do so before removing WowMatrix itself.

If you're on Windows Vista and are getting a "Destination Folder Access Denied" error message when trying to delete WowMatrix, please see this step-by-step solution.

Q. Does WowMatrix require me to download additional software such as Python, Java or the .NET framework?

A. Not at all. WowMatrix is a simple, lightweight application. It will automatically install any necessary components (such as curl.exe, see next question) and does not require you to install any additional items such as Python, Java or the .NET framework.

Q. What is curl.exe and why does WowMatrix try to run it?

A. WowMatrix uses the curl.exe software module (Curl) when performing certain operations, such as checking for the latest version of AddOns. It is safe to allow WowMatrix to automatically install and run curl.exe if prompted by your security software.

Curl is simply an open-source command line tool for transferring files over the Internet. You can read more about Curl here. If you run Mac OS X, Curl is already included by Apple, so WowMatrix automatically uses the built-in version.

Q. Why does WowMatrix run in administrative mode on my Vista computer?

A. WowMatrix does not normally need to run in administrative mode. It only does so if you are running Windows Vista and have World of Warcraft installed in the 'Program Files' folder. In that case, running in administrative mode allows WowMatrix to properly install WoW AddOns.

If you have installed World of Warcraft outside of the 'Program Files' folder, not only and/or are not running Windows Vista, then WowMatrix does not run in administrative mode.

As such, if you wish to avoid the annoying Vista prompts due to WowMatrix running in administrative mode, you may wish to permanently move the entire the 'World of Warcraft' folder out of the 'Program Files' folder. This will also resolve a number of Blizzard updater issues, if you've been experiencing those.

Q. I am getting sound issues with Ventrilo on Windows Vista if I launch the game using WowMatrix.

A. This issue appears to affect only some Vista users. Please see this step-by-step solution.

Q. Whenever I try to open WowMatrix, I get an error message stating that WowMatrix is unable to connect to the Internet.

A. Please see this step-by-step solution.

Q. Whenever I try to open WowMatrix on Windows Vista, I get an error message 'WowMatrix for Windows has stopped working'.

A. Please see this step-by-step solution.

Q. I have multiple copies of World of Warcraft on my computer. How do I run more than 1 copy of WowMatrix on the same computer?

A. You can find a step-by-step guide here.

Q. From what sources does WowMatrix download WoW AddOns?

A. WowMatrix checks for and downloads each WoW AddOn directly from that AddOn's official website, or from one of the major WoW AddOn websites if that AddOn doesn't have an official website.

This helps ensure that each AddOn is kept up-to-date, benefiting both users and AddOn authors, who receive fewer support requests from users who would otherwise be running outdated versions of their AddOns.

We also provide AddOn hosting on our servers, for AddOns as requested by their authors, as well as the ones that include free distribution rights (e.g. GPL, BSD, MIT, etc). We do not host unauthorized copyrighted material on our servers.

Please note that WowMatix does not currently download AddOns from Curse or WoWInterface. For more details, click here.

Q. Why do you display gold seller ads? I dislike gold sellers.

A. We do not display (and have never displayed) gold seller ads, nor do we recommend buying gold from gold sellers, as this violates Blizzard's terms and is generally frowned upon. The ads we display have nothing to do with gold sellers whatsoever.

Q. I use some WoW AddOns that are not part of the 1,500+ already listed in WowMatrix. How do I get them listed?

A. You may contact us at any time via the Feedback Form at our website. Please include the names of the AddOns and the webpage URLs from which you normally download the latest versions of the AddOns.

Q. How do I exclude an AddOn that I have installed, from the version update checks?

A. Simply select the AddOn you'd like to ignore, then check the 'Ignore' box to the left of the 'Uninstall' button.

Q. Does WowMatrix support the downloading of AddOns "with externals" and "without externals"?

A. This feature was previously supported, but is temporarily unavailable due to a bug with the current patch of World of Warcraft. It will be made available again in the future. If you have no idea what this feature means, don't worry about it.

Q. I am an AddOn author. How do I get my AddOn listed in WowMatrix?

A. Please visit our Addon Author information page for details.

Q. I love WowMatrix! Is there anything I can do to help support this project?

A. Just tell all of your friends and guildmates about WowMatrix! If you wish, you may make a donation to the project at any time.

On our website and in the WowMatrix application, we recommend carefully selected quality and 100% legal guides such as leveling guides and gold guides. By purchasing any of these guides, you will help support this project as well.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time via the Feedback Form at our website.