How to Change back to Main Branch after running APEX Sneak Preview Build

Ok so Apex Expansion is released and you want to put everything back the way it was three weeks ago. Jump to The LAST Section and follow the instructions to do that.

NOTE: Will change this guide on July 11th when Apex Expansion is released, to show you how to change back to the current release and if you want the DEV and also any new RC.

This is a quick guide on how to run the three versions of Arma3 on your pc.
Main Build 1.62.137.494
RC Build 1.62 (REMOVED)
Development Build 1.63.137431 (or higher)

If you don't feel comfortable doing this, then PLEASE DON'T. I have no problem doing this as it's how I've run the different version (using Arma3 Tools) until Steam caused the issue with Apex not being recognize if you had the Development build. So the only way around this was the Apex Sneak Preview, which allow people to use Apex with the DEV 1.63 (again if you opt into the preview. Which means good-bye to playing regular Arma3 unless you download up to 15 gig again ( if required).
NOTE: bis_iceman posted
"RC testing for update 1.62 (Apex) has started.
Steam branch access code: Arma3Update162RC
Arma 3: ~7.9 GB / Arma 3 Server: ~1.2 GB (depends on Apex ownership)
Note: The "Release Candidate" and the "Apex Sneak Preview" builds are identical!".
https://forums.bistudio.com/topic/183855-release-candidate-branch-announcements/?p=3043571
So the Apex Sneak Preview and the RC 1.62 are the same so no need to download it right now if you own Apex Expansion.
I will also changed the guide to refect the builds that will be availible after Apex Expansion is released.

I also know you can cut and paste arma3 and make new folder and copy. I don't mine making a new folder and downloading everything fresh. Like I said this isn't something anyone has to do, and you may do it different, or better, or think this is a waste of time. Thats ok, it just for people who want to use it, if they want to. I will go back to using the Arma3 Tools, until the next time something happens like this (Apex Sneak Preview) at the same time as three other builds. Thanks for taking the time to check it out.
Please rate it up, so ppl with see and be able to use it without having to post this every couple of days.

Installing Arma3 Tools

1. Install the Arma3 tools through Steam - Library - Tools - Arma3 Tools
2. Create a desktop shortcut for Arma3 Tools by going here C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Arma 3 Tools. Look for arma3tools.exe and right click on it, and make a desktop shortcut.
3.Open Arma3 tools and run the "Game Updater" to install the development version of Arma3.

Renaming Arma Folders

1.Open windows explorer and go to your location where you have Steam-Arma3 installed
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common
You will see both Arma3 folder and one named arma3 [development]. You are going to rename the folders
2. Rename Arma 3 to Arma 3 Main
3. Rename Arma 3 [development] to Arma 3 (with capital "A" and space between "a" and "3”)

Op into the Apex Sneak Preview Build

1. Open Steam and right click on Arma3 - Properties - Betas - Pick Apex Sneak Preview build. Steam will now DL the Apex Sneak Preview Build. This will active the Apex DLC which is showed as not installed before oping into Apex Sneak Preview. It will take some time depending on the size of the Apex Sneak Preview

Running the Apex Sneak Preview Build

After it's done downloading. Start Arma3 blue DEV will be in upper left corner. Click play after game starts you start 3d editor you can pick a map and continue.

Or check out what servers are running the Apex Sneak preview build and join a multiplayer game.

Making a shortcut for your main version

1. Go to the folder you renamed Arma3 Main and look for the arma3launcher.exe make a desktop shortcut and rename it Arma3 Main.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Arma 3 Main\arma3launcher.exe
2. Click on it and run the main version of Arma3 this way to play online, edit, or single player.
I'm trying it right now and it works dev through steam and main through desktop shortcut.
Seems to work now with the DEV in the upper left corner gone.

Keeping everything up to date

To keep your "Main version up to date. Just run the Arma3 Tools - Game Updater - Options and pick Main Branch.
Change the path for the directory to the one named Arma3 Main before you update.
Then click on update. You will only need to do this when a "Main Branch" game update is available. The Apex Preview version will update itself through steam every time it needs to.

Please rate up this guide so we can make sure all the Arma3 community can also do this. It makes no sence screwing up your Arma3 just to check out a preview. Only to have to DL 14 gigs when you change back. It's the easiest way to keep both builds without the hassle of consently updating your DEV everyday.

Running All Three Builds Together

So now that you have Apex Sneak Preview and your Main build 1.60 running fine, lets add back the DEV build 1.63. This way you can test your maps and missions for problems before the next build release. Or if your just interested in checking out whats coming up.
1. Open your Arma3 tools and then Game Updater.

2. We need to make the Development folder as it was renamed for the Apex Sneak Preview in the earlier step. Click on "Browse" and go to the location of your Steam C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common

3 Click on "Common" and then "New Folder".

4. Rename the new folder by right clicking on it and pick "Rename" change it to arma 3 [development]


5. Go back to the Game updater and click on update. It will download about 23 gigs. After its done open the arma 3 [development] folder and look for the arma3launcher.exe and make a desktop shortcut for it. Close the Arma3 tools and click on the shorcut to run the DEv build.


I removed the section on running the RC 1.62 for now, as it's causing issues with the Apex Sneak Preview.

How to Change Back to Main Branch

Now that Apex Expansion is released how do I change everything back? Here are the steps to change from the Apex Sneak Preview to the Main Branch.

1. Open Steam - Library - Arma3
Right click on Arma3 and then properties. Go to the Beta Tab and open drop down box. Pick NONE- Op out of all Betas Programs. Click ok and Steam will start downloading the files required for you to play the main branch.
2. Next start Arma3 ang verifiy everything works, and you can play single, multiplayer, or start editor.


Now that everyhting is working correctly. You can open Windows Explorer and delete the "Arma3 Main" Folder as you no longer need it to play Arma3 and Apex Expansion. NOTE: Make sure to copy any mods that are in this folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Arma 3 Main before deleting it, in case they are NON Steam Workshop Mods they will be deleted. That will free up 15 - 20 gigs of your hard drive for you too.

[SgtNickFury]

It should download and install tha Apex Sneak Preview. Then on Monday it will become active, whivh means you can play both Arma3 and Apex Expansion in one game. If you didn't buy Apex then you will only se the visuals, weather, AI, and the other improvements to Arma3 in general.

[Birbman]

Not really sure how to word this but here I go

Will having the Apex sneak preview build installed before the main version of apex releases (finished build) lower the amount of files you would have to download on the day of release (on the 11th). I mostly ask this because my internet does not take kindly to downloading 10 gigs of data.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

[HAMSOLO]

Sorry guys ignore my last post did not scroll down will wait till next week for update on guide.

[HAMSOLO]

Hi guys did all as above works good no props but when APEX is out next week how do I change back to Main as I am not really into the DEV branch stuff ?

[SgtNickFury]

Yes if you wait and then purchase Apex Expansion, it will install itself and you will have both Arma3 and the Expansion to play via Steam.

[-Secret]

Well i havent started this guide in hopes that when the game is released i wont have to worry about switching at all. Is that correct?

[SgtNickFury]

Once Apex is released I will update this guide to show how to change everything back to Main and DEV versions.

[-Secret]

Hey Nick, once Apex is released July 11 do we need to keep doing this or will it all be in one file so there will be no need to switch back and forth?

[SgtNickFury]

So I removed the option to run both Apex Sneak Preview and the RC 1.62. They are causing issues with mods and files, as they are trying to share them it seems. So don't use the RC if you own the Apex Expansion

[Entry-Level Luxury]

Thanks I was getting sick of reinstalling it every other day...