Migrating from PS2 to PC

[Cyber_Akuma]

Ok, now that I have a PC which isn't literally over 10 years out of date, I can finally start playing FFXI on my PC instead of my ancient PS2.

I know I can just login to my account on the PC, but how do I get the software first? Do I need to re-purchase it on PC somehow? (Especially if I want it registered on my Steam account) or is there a way to login and have it download the software since I already have an account?

[Mirage]

If you want it on Steam, you need to buy it on steam. If you just want the game and don't care about having it in steam, you can borrow the installation discs from a friend (or something like that), as there is no copy protection on the installation media.

There are also other completely safe methods, but mentioning them might be against the user agreement, so I'll leave that up to your imagination.

[Cyber_Akuma]

What about if I downloaded and installed the trial? I heard some day that I would not be able to access the expansions I bought that way? Does this only apply to the expansions that were delivered by disk on the PS2?

[Mirage]

I honestly can't say. Never tried that.

[bungiefanNA]

All expansions require install media, but add-ons autodownload. You need an installer for Zilart, Promathia, Aht Urhgan, Goddess, and Adoulin to enable/install those. Crystalline, Shantotto, Moogle, and Abyssea auto-download if the required expansions are installed.

The trial doesn't include any expansions, so you will be stuck with the core game until you find expansion installers, or copy the Program Files\Square Enix\PlayOnline folder from the hard drive of another PC user that has them already installed.