WoW Forever UI: presets, Edit Mode, import codes and UI scale
Short answer: ✅ Forever uses the modern game's interface tools, so you can change a lot without addons. You pick a Classic or Enhanced preset first. Then you move, resize and save your screen in Edit Mode, and you can share or import a layout as a text code. (Blizzard starter guide, Wowhead)
| I want to… | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 🎨 Switch Classic ↔ Enhanced | Options > System – Preset | ✅ Official |
| 🧩 Move bars and frames | Esc > Edit Mode | ✅ Official |
| 📋 Import a UI code | Edit Mode > layout dropdown > Import | ✅ Official |
| 🔍 Make the UI bigger or smaller | Options > System > Graphics > UI Scale | ⚠️ [Unconfirmed] for Forever |
| ⏱️ Track cooldowns | Options > Gameplay Enhancement > Cooldown Manager | ✅ Official, off by default |
| 🛠️ Full UI replacement | An addon such as ElvUI | ✅ Has a Forever file |
🎨 Classic or Enhanced preset: what it changes in the UI
Blizzard asks you to choose a preset the first time you log in. It's shown before you pick a ruleset. (Return to Azeroth) The preset sets your screen layout and several interface options at once. (starter guide)
| Setting | 🏛️ Classic | ✨ Enhanced |
|---|---|---|
| 🖥️ Screen layout | Classic UI layout | Centralised UI layout |
| 🗺️ Quest areas on the map | ❌ Off | ✅ On |
| 🎒 Combined bag | ❌ Off | ✅ On |
| 👕 Transmog | ❌ Off | ✅ On |
| ⌨️ A / D keys | Turn the camera | Strafe |
| 🧍 Character models | Standard (SD) | HD |
Blizzard's tip is to pick Enhanced if you're not sure. (starter guide) For the full comparison, see Forever vs Classic.
Changing it later: open the Game Menu, go to Options, then System – Preset. (Return to Azeroth)
🧩 Edit Mode basics
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Press Esc and click Edit Mode |
| 2️⃣ | Click a highlighted element to open its own settings |
| 3️⃣ | Drag elements where you want them. Turn on Snap to Elements to line them up |
| 4️⃣ | Tick Advanced Options to see more elements, such as the stance bar |
| 5️⃣ | Use the layout dropdown > New Layout, name it and save |
| 6️⃣ | Press Esc to leave |
Steps from Wowhead's Forever Edit Mode guide. It says there are two preset layouts to start from, that saved layouts work for all your characters, and that you can make a layout for one character only. The exact names of the two preset layouts in Forever are [Unconfirmed].
Edit Mode came from the modern game's 2022 interface revamp. Blizzard said then that it lets you move, save and share layouts, and that addons still work alongside it. (Blizzard)
📋 How to import a UI code (and share yours)
A shared layout is a block of text. Blizzard's steps:
| 📤 Share yours | 📥 Import one |
|---|---|
| Esc > Edit Mode | Esc > Edit Mode |
| Open the layout dropdown | Open the layout dropdown |
| Share > Copy To Clipboard | Import |
| Paste it into a text file to keep | Paste the code and name the layout |
| Click Import |
Source: Blizzard Support. That article is for WoW in general, not just Forever. Wowhead's Forever guide shows the same Share and Import options (Wowhead), and a player tested them in the Forever beta (Blizzard forums).
Where to find codes: players post Forever layouts on Reddit and Wago, for example a Luxthos layout for 1440p screens. (wow4ever, Wago) A layout made for another screen size can sit in the wrong place on yours. Check the resolution in the post before you import. (xScarlife)
| Import type | Needs an addon? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 🧩 Edit Mode layout | ❌ No | Built into the game |
| 🛠️ ElvUI or other UI profile | ✅ Yes, that addon | See ElvUI |
| ⚡ WeakAuras string | ✅ Yes | Can carry code, so only import from people you trust. See WeakAuras |
The WeakAuras warning follows wow4ever, which lists only Edit Mode layouts for that reason.
🔍 UI scale: make the interface bigger or smaller
In the modern game, Blizzard puts UI Scale under Game Menu > Options > System > Graphics. Tick UI Scale and move the slider. It only shows when you're logged in to a character. (Blizzard Support) Forever uses the modern client, but we haven't confirmed that exact path in Forever yet. [Unconfirmed]
| Your screen | Common value | How |
|---|---|---|
| 🖥️ 1080p | 0.7111 | /console uiScale 0.7111 |
| 🖥️ 1440p | 0.5333 | Below the slider's 0.64 minimum, so it needs an addon or script |
Values from Warcraft Wiki. The console command turns on with /console useUiScale 1. Whether these commands behave the same in Forever is [Unconfirmed]. Community UI profiles often expect a set value, such as 0.5333 at 1440p. (xScarlife)
🎒 Moving the bags, quest tracker and tooltip
In the modern game these are Edit Mode elements, and Wowhead says Advanced Options shows extra elements in Forever. (Wowhead) We haven't confirmed one by one which windows Forever lets you move. [Unconfirmed]
| Element | Try first | If it isn't there |
|---|---|---|
| 🎒 Bags | Edit Mode > Advanced Options | A bag addon |
| 📜 Quest tracker | Edit Mode | A quest addon |
| 💬 Tooltip | Edit Mode > Advanced Options | A tooltip addon |
| 🎯 Cast bar | Edit Mode | ✅ Fixed in the beta |
The cast bar fix is listed in Blizzard's beta development notes.
🎮 Gamepad UI and Edit Mode
Blizzard's beta development notes say:
| Date (2026) | Change |
|---|---|
| 2 Oct | The gamepad action bar works in Edit Mode |
| 2 Oct | Layouts are saved and loaded per UI type (gamepad or keyboard) |
| 2 Oct | The compact action bar setting moved into Edit Mode |
| 2 Oct | ⚠️ Known issue: switching gamepad UI mode resets your layout to the default |
Blizzard hasn't said the reset issue is fixed. [Unconfirmed] Save your layout as a code before you switch. More on controllers: WoW Forever platforms.
⏱️ Built-in options that replace UI addons
| Built in | Where | Replaces |
|---|---|---|
| ⏱️ Cooldown Manager | Options > Gameplay Enhancement (off by default) | Cooldown tracker addons |
| 📊 Damage meter | Built in | Details! |
| 🔢 Scrolling combat text | Options > Gameplay > Combat > Scrolling Combat Text for Self | Combat text addons |
| 🔥 Aggro display | Search "Threat" in Options | Threat addons |
| 🧩 Edit Mode | Esc > Edit Mode | Bartender4, MoveAny |
The Cooldown Manager covers all classes, racials and trinkets. Each spell's ranks show as one entry. Sources: Blizzard's beta development notes (24 Sep, 2 Oct and 16 Oct 2026 posts). Forever uses the modern addon rules, so addons can't read the combat log. (Q&A recap) More: WoW Forever addons and raid frames.
🛠️ Edit Mode or UI not working?
| Problem | Try |
|---|---|
| 🎮 Layout reset after switching to gamepad | Re-pick your layout, or import your saved code |
| 📋 Import code fails | Copy the whole code, with nothing missing at either end |
| ⌨️ Keybinds reset after logging out | See keybinds not saving |
| 📐 Imported UI in the wrong place | Match the creator's resolution and UI scale |
| 🧹 Addon UI broken or not saving | See addon troubleshooting |
| 🔁 Want your beta layout on live | Share it as a code, or copy edit-mode-cache-account.txt from the beta WTF\Account folder |
The beta file name comes from a player guide on the Blizzard forums, not from Blizzard staff. The live folder name is [Unconfirmed].
FAQ
How do I change the UI in WoW Forever?
Press Esc and open Edit Mode to move and resize elements. To swap Classic and Enhanced, go to Options > System – Preset.
How do I import a UI code in WoW Forever?
Esc > Edit Mode > layout dropdown > Import. Paste the code, name it and click Import. You don't need an addon.
How do I share my WoW Forever UI layout?
Esc > Edit Mode > layout dropdown > Share > Copy To Clipboard. Paste it into a text file to keep it.
Classic or Enhanced UI preset?
Classic uses the classic screen layout and the original options. Enhanced uses a centralised layout, HD models and a combined bag. Blizzard suggests Enhanced if you're not sure.
How do I change UI scale in WoW Forever?
In the modern game it's Options > System > Graphics > UI Scale, shown only when you're logged in. That path in Forever is unconfirmed.
Why did my Edit Mode layout reset?
Blizzard listed a known issue where switching gamepad UI mode resets the layout to the default. Re-pick your layout or import your saved code.
Do I need ElvUI in WoW Forever?
No. Edit Mode, the Cooldown Manager and the damage meter are built in. ElvUI has a Forever file if you want a full replacement.
Can I move my bags or quest tracker?
Try Edit Mode with Advanced Options ticked. Which windows Forever lets you move is unconfirmed, so a bag or quest addon is the backup.
Sources
- Blizzard: New Player's Starter Guide (Classic and Enhanced presets, Options)
- Blizzard: Return to Azeroth in WoW Forever (preset screen, Options > System – Preset)
- Blizzard — WoW Forever Beta Development Notes (Updated October 26)
- Blizzard Support: sharing and importing Edit Mode layouts
- Blizzard Support: World of Warcraft UI scaling issues
- Blizzard: Dragonflight HUD and UI revamp (Edit Mode)
- Wowhead: UI and HUD Edit Mode in WoW Forever
- Blizzard forums (player guide): From Beta to Live, WoW Forever
- wow4ever: WoW Forever UI layouts
- Wago: Luxthos WoW Forever Edit Mode layout
- xScarlife: EllesmereUI profile for WoW Forever (resolution and UI scale)
- Warcraft Wiki: UI scaling
- WoWSoD.pro: WoW Forever Q&A recap, 17 September