Win 8
Re: Win 8
Basically with Win 7 & NWN:
Don't install to the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folders (the later is only on 64-bit versions of 7).
Run nwnmain.exe as admin and in XP SP 3 mode.
Basically that's it. If you want to use the DM client, create a shortcut to nwnmain.exe and add -dmclient to the end of it I believe: "x:\nwn folder\nwnmain.exe -dmclient" or something like that, where X is the drive NWN is on and nwn folder is where it's installed on that drive. It might be -dmc instead of -dmclient; I lost my shortcut so I don't remember off the top of my head.
Don't install to the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folders (the later is only on 64-bit versions of 7).
Run nwnmain.exe as admin and in XP SP 3 mode.
Basically that's it. If you want to use the DM client, create a shortcut to nwnmain.exe and add -dmclient to the end of it I believe: "x:\nwn folder\nwnmain.exe -dmclient" or something like that, where X is the drive NWN is on and nwn folder is where it's installed on that drive. It might be -dmc instead of -dmclient; I lost my shortcut so I don't remember off the top of my head.
Re: Win 8
I've never found the second part necessary to access the DM client, I just go in through the regular start up options. This is what I had, accessed from the NWN support forums before the servers went down, but the essential part is the same as GW:
Install Game and expansions. Preferably on C drive, not in the programs (x86) folders.
Go to the patch page and download the correct critical rebuild and install it. (The final one released was NWNEnglish1.69HotUUpdate. You can't get the DL since the servers were taken down but if you don't have a copy I believe there is one on the Vault, and I've got a copy hanging around permanently, backed up in several locations.)
Open the NWN folder and find nwnmain.exe and nwn.exe files.
Right click on these and select properties. Set them to run with full permissions, as administrator and under windows XP service pack 3.
Delete any shortcuts already made and make new ones to account for the permission change.
Update your drivers for video and sound. (This seems to be a "just in case" requirement, mine were fine).
Edit: Found it on the Vault! Might be worth putting the link somewhere for reference. NWN Critical Build files
Install Game and expansions. Preferably on C drive, not in the programs (x86) folders.
Go to the patch page and download the correct critical rebuild and install it. (The final one released was NWNEnglish1.69HotUUpdate. You can't get the DL since the servers were taken down but if you don't have a copy I believe there is one on the Vault, and I've got a copy hanging around permanently, backed up in several locations.)
Open the NWN folder and find nwnmain.exe and nwn.exe files.
Right click on these and select properties. Set them to run with full permissions, as administrator and under windows XP service pack 3.
Delete any shortcuts already made and make new ones to account for the permission change.
Update your drivers for video and sound. (This seems to be a "just in case" requirement, mine were fine).
Edit: Found it on the Vault! Might be worth putting the link somewhere for reference. NWN Critical Build files