Upgrading TRIAL to FULL GAME (possible issue w/ solution)

[Beardcore]

I had this problem for a long time and had it finally figured out. So I decided to share the information in case someone have the same issue.

SITUATION

I've downloaded the TRIAL VERSION and started playing the game until I decided to buy the FULL VERSION. After doing that, Steam automatically got rid of the "Final Fantasy XIV Online Free Trial" from my library, instead putting "Final Fantasy XIV Online" in the place and a INSTALL button. But wait... I have the full game already installed, but that's ok, go on...

PROBLEM

Steam refuses to install the game (that's already installed by the way), with a message "preparing files to install..." that never progress. After a couple hours beating my head against the wall, I did found out I could start the game directly from the SE Launcher without any problem. And you can play the game just fine as long as you have registered your serial keys in the official Mogstation.

The only thing is that Steam will be tracking it as "Trial" (you can see in my profile the huge amount of hours registered in the trial - which I was already playing the full game). In the same way, FFXIV will be listed as "not installed" in your library.

SOLUTION

Only today I decided to look for another way out and here's what I found:

If you open your Steam library folder (ie: Program Files(x86)\Steam\steamapps) you will notice some "appmanifest" files for every game you have installed. In case of "FFXIV Full Version" the gameid is 39210 so the file you need to edit is appmanifest_39210.acf.

In case this file doesn't exist, you can create one or make a copy from the trial version (gameid 312060). This is how my appmanifest looked like before editing:

	"appid"		"39210"
	"Universe"		"1"
	"name"		"FINAL FANTASY XIV Online"
	"StateFlags"		"66"
	"installdir"		"FINAL FANTASY XIV Online"
	"LastUpdated"		"1556509918"
	"UpdateResult"		"0"
	"SizeOnDisk"		"10468096796"
	"buildid"		"384397"
	"LastOwner"		"0"
	"BytesToDownload"		"0"
	"BytesDownloaded"		"0"
	"AutoUpdateBehavior"		"0"
	"AllowOtherDownloadsWhileRunning"		"0"
	"ScheduledAutoUpdate"		"0"

I've change only two parameters: "LastOwner" (which you can copy from any other game installed and I believe is unique to your account) and the most important, "StateFlags" from "66" to "4". Then restart Steam client.

This parameter (StateFlags) indicates to Steam the game is installed, and since the game files from TRIAL and FULL are exactly the same, you can now run the game normally from your library and keep the play time record right. That's it!

Final note: If you want to keep starting the game from the SE Launcher shortcut, make sure to edit it's URL (right-click -> properties) from steam://rungameid/312060 to steam://rungameid/39210, click apply and you're ready to go.

* English is not my native language, so I hope I made myself understandable. ;)

[Mister_Mulz]

Dude, I fking love you! Thanks a lot!

[Beardcore]

Originally posted by Mister_Mulz:

Dude, I fking love you! Thanks a lot!

You're welcome! I'm glad to know I could help someone else!

[GTK/HLK]

is there other ways to go about this.., as in deleting said trial.., or no official response i assume..,?

[Beardcore]

Originally posted by GTK/HLK:

is there other ways to go about this.., as in deleting said trial.., or no official response i assume..,?

No official response. Yes, I guess you can delete the game from your computer and install it from scratch.

This solution is for those who don't want to download all over again.

[vinnygunnz]

This 100% worked. Thank you thank you thank you :)

[Reborns]

thank you you´re my hero

[[DaBr] Urameshi]

For me I simply turned off steam, moved the "39210" file to my desktop in a trash folder and let steam recreate the folder upon restarting, the game launched right up. Hope this helps as well.

[Digão]

Thanks for sharing the solution rgringo. Cheers!

[Adellion]

I did everything right.... it worked but why is it redownloading ugh...
Thanks anyway

[Bun]

Fckn genouis. Still the solution of the problem. < 3

[Just Bohr]

100% worked for me!

[Gaius Van Baelsar]

OMG u are a lifesaver

[Jughead Hellcaster]

It's very helpfull. thanks!

[Cutlass Jack]

This proved super helpful when I was upgrading my wife's account to the full version. Thanks!

[Katzegrin]

Thank you for posting this information. When I upgraded from trial to full the .acf file wasn't created for me either, and with steam login being enforced at the end of this month I'm glad I found your solution.