How to install DayZ

THE ULTIMATE DAYZ INSTALLATION GUIDE

What do I need to play this mod?

1. Arma 2: Combined Operations (Arma II + Operation Arrowhead) [1]

NOTE: See arma FREE further down this page

1. Run the game once before proceeding
2. Arma 2 BETA
3. DayZ Mod Files (See below)
4. Balls

DayZ SixUpdater-Installer/Updater/Launcher (Official)

Six-Updater will automatically install the latest ARMA II: CO beta patch as well as update your DayZ mod files. It also includes a DayZ server browser.

1. If using Steam, run both ARMA2 and ARMA2: Combined Operations once to complete installation.
2. Download the latest version of Six-Updater from https://dev-heaven.net/projects/six-arma-updater/files
3. Run the Six-Updater exe file and install to the location of your choosing.
4. When install is complete, there will be two "Six" programs (Six Updater and Six Launcher). Run "Six Launcher."
5. You should see a DayZ themed program with a server browser. Click the Update button in yellow on the left.
6. When update is complete, select a server and pres Join.

VIDEO: How to Install DayZ with Six-Updater

See also: Assorted DayZ Installers

DayZ Steam installation

Install ARMA2 beta patch first.

Install Instructions

1. Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
2. Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory.
3. Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons". It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons
4. Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
5. Start the game as instructed in ARMA2 beta patch

If everything is installed correctly you should see "@dayz" line under "ArmA 2" on the right side of the menu screen.

Use the filter to find DayZ servers.

DayZ Non-Steam installation

Install ARMA2 beta patch first.

Manual install

1. Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
2. Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma2 folder
3. Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons".
4. Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
5. Start the game as instructed in ARMA2 beta patch

If everything is installed correctly you should see "@dayz" line under "ArmA 2" on the right side of the menu screen.

Use the filter to find DayZ servers.

ARMA2 Mixed copy (Retail + Steam)

Make sure you install the latest patch for the retail version from http://www.arma2.com/supply/game-updates Then follow the STEAM/NON-STEAM INSTALLATION guide.

ARMA2:FREE + ARMA2:OA

It is possible but not recommended to use the free version (not the demo) of ARMA2 and combine it with ARMA2: Operation Arrowhead to create ARMA2: Combined Operations Lite and use it to play DayZ.

Here is a guide how to install DayZ with arma2:free and OA: Kodabar's Guide

If everything is installed correctly you should see "ArmA 2 Free" (or "ArmA 2 Demo"), "ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead" and "@dayz" on the right side of the menu screen.

ARMA2 Beta patch

From DayZ version 1.7.1 requires "Arma2 Beta" to be installed

Beta patch is not instantly BattleEye enabled after release. You may have to wait a couple of hours to be able to play with it online. To be sure, check the corresponding thread.

Beta patch is backwards compatible, so you can still play on non-beta servers.

If you have previous beta patches it's suggested to uninstall them before installing a newer version. You can also try deleting beta subdirectory inside ARMA 2 folder manually.

RETAIL - Beta Patch Install Instructions

1. Download and install beta patch from http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php (Latest patch is in the green field top of page)
2. If you are met with a "Password screen" then choose the top version on page (Not in the green field)
3. Go to the Arma2:OA main directory and right-click on shortcut "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch". Add "-mod=@dayz" without quotes to the target line.
4. Run "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch" and enjoy playing!

NOTE: Remember to install DayZ MOD before launching the game!

STEAM - Beta Patch Install Instructions

1. Download and install beta patch from http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php (Latest patch is in the green field top of page)
2. If you are met with a "Password screen" then choose the top version on page (Not in the green field)
3. Go to the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory (for example C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead) and right-click -> edit on .cmd file "_runA2CO_beta.cmd". Search for ":run" near the end of the file. Add ";@dayz" without quotes to "-mod=%_ARMA2PATH%;EXPANSION;ca".
4. Run "_runA2CO_beta.cmd" and enjoy playing!

You may create a new shortcut to "_runA2CO_beta.cmd"

NOTE: Remember to install DayZ MOD before launching the game!

Having trouble with the BETA Patch? then this forum post might help.

Make a shortcut to launch ARMA2 Beta with Steam Overlay (Optional)

Instructions

1. Make a new non-steam shortcut, choose Browse then browse to your operation arrowhead directory, go into expansion then go into beta. Click on ArmA2OA.exe in that folder and choose Open. The box will close so then choose Add Selected Programs button in the steam add programs box.
2. Find the shortcut you just made in your Steam library, right click and choose properties.
3. Delete the target line.
4. Rename the steam shortcut whatever you want.
5. Now edit the following text in notepad or something similar to include your paths. If you have both Arrowhead and both ArmA2 on Steam you won't need to do this assuming you have kept the default installation location for Steam and run a 64bit OS.

Code:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\Expansion\beta\arma2oa.exe"  "-beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion" "-mod=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;@dayz" -nosplash

Once you're done making sure that the pathways are correct you paste that into the target line in the steam options of the shortcut, all of it.

Delete the Start In line and replace it with this, edit this if you have a different installation location.

Code:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\"

Run the game from your new non-steam game shortcut.

Startup Parameters (optional)

You can find other than default launch options, like windowed mode here: http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma2:_Startup_Parameters

Common errors

I get 'You cannot play/edit this mission, it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.dayz_code, dayz_weapons, dayz_equip etc.'upon joining any DayZ server

You installed the mod or the shortcut incorrectly. Make sure you add "-mod=@dayz" without quotes in the launch options and DayZ mod files are installed in the proper folder. By default: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons"

I am stuck at "Waiting for server response" or "Waiting for character to create" or "Receiving Data"

Servers are simply being overloaded, wait a litte or try another server. If nothing works try below.

Launch Operation Arrowhead from steam and select the option to re-install BattlEye Anti-Cheat client. If you are using retail download the latest version form http://www.battleye.com/download.html and put it in a folder named "BattlEye" in the "Expansion" folder of your Arma2:OA main directory.

Redownload DayZ mod files and make sure you have the latest version. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/

If nothing works try reinstalling both Arma2 and OA.

Note: Frequent connections and disconnections on a server compound this problem. Please try to be patient before switching to another server.

I get a constant "Retrying to authenticate" message

Updating Arma2 Client to the latest beta version may resolve this issue. Latest versions are available at http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php

I get "You can not play/edit this mission; it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.cherarus" when trying to join any server

Make sure you launch the game as 'Combined Operations' and NOT 'Operation Arrowhead' when launching from STEAM.

Invisible objects, missing textures etc.

Right click ARMA 2 in STEAM - 'Properties' - 'Local Files' - 'Verify integrity of game cache'.

Try changing your ingame video settings.

I get other weird graphic artifacts ingame that block my screen

Known bug, it occurs on the barbed wire fences that players can build and should be fixed in the next patch. You can try changing your ingame video settings as a temporary fix.

How do I change my FOV (Field of View)?

There's two different guides available for changing your field of view.

If you simply want to increase your fov to a high value (ie. 90 degrees), then try this guide: http://www.reddit.com/r/dayz/comments/ug6wu/how_to_adjust_your_fov_aka_how_to_cure_arma2/

If you're aiming for a more immersive, realistic field of view, try this guide instead: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?100235-Setting-up-your-FOV

I get 'ARMA2 stopped working' error on launch

Right click ARMA 2 in STEAM - 'Properties' - 'Local Files' - 'Verify integrity of game cache'.

Redownload and make sure you are using the latest version of DayZ mod files.

Try launching the game without DayZ mod, see if it works. If it does reinstall DayZ mod files.

Try installing the latest beta patch (see above).

I can't use Direct Chat ingame. Mic is stuttering

Known bug. You can install the latest beta patch for Arma2:OA (see above) or wait for the official fix.

I get "No entry 'bin\config.bin\CfgVehicles\'" or similar pop-up error message when launching the game or playing on a server

Ignore it. It won't affect your game.

I get 'missing CBA_Main' when joining a server

Ignore it. It won't affect your game.

I get 'Error compiling pixel shader PSSpecularAlpha:0

Run Steam as Administrator

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Most information in this guide is originally copied from here: [2] Thanks to Skyrayfox