IMPORTANT: This guide is heavily outdated; use this instead.

The Easy, Complete, Comprehensive CFW Guide for Everyone

One important note at the beginning:
NEVER UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM, no matter what kind of 3DS/2DS you are using. Only update manually using this guide if it tells you to do so.

About this guide: This guide shows you how to install the 3DS CFW Kit on your device, as well as how to use it once you have it installed on your system (in progress). The author of this guide tried to find the best way possible to do this. After doing every step in the guide you will have the CFWs of your choice installed and you will have access to homebrew and the Gateway menu (optional). This guide was mostly a re-release of this guide at the beginning.

Current 3DS CFW Kit Version: 4.00
See the CFWKIT_VERSION.TXT on your (micro)SD to get the version of the 3DS CFW Kit you have installed on your system. If the first number of your version is smaller than the first number of the current version, then you have to get the latest 3DS CFW Kit AND the latest _update (except the second number of the current version is 00; then you will not need to get the latest _update). If only the second number of the current version is bigger than the second number of your version, you will only need to get the latest _update.

Spoiler: Things you will love about this guide

(Not valid at the moment, remake in progress)
- You do NOT need ANY knowledge about 3DS hacking or even about how to use a 3DS in general to perform the steps described in this guide. This guide might be the easiest one you could possibly find, I really receive very few replies and PMs about problems regarding this guide (anymore).
- If the rare case happens that you need help with something, you can be glad about the fact that this guide is built with easy troubleshooting in mind so your problem can be solved as soon as possible.
- You will NOT need to search for several files online; instead, there is just ONE link you need to find, and I am giving a LOT of hints where you may find it... By the way, did you already check out my Twitter? ...
- I hate compromises as much as you may do; therefore this guide is complete as it includes every CFW you may want, as well as other related software you definitely don't want to miss on your device, and gives you an easy way of switching between the CFWs by using a boot menu (which also increases the boot success rate).
- This guide, as well as the 3DS CFW Kit, will definitely be kept up-to-date as long as the 3DS scene releases CFW-related stuff.
- This guide supports japanese, european and american 'old' 3DS (XL), 2DS and new 3DS (XL) consoles at ANY firmware version published at the time of writing, so it supports basically every 3DS anyone who reads this right now may have.
- Once you have everything set up, you will be able to easily update the CFWs and related software by just downloading and extracting special update ZIPs designed especially for those who have used this guide and therefore have the 3DS CFW Kit on their 3DS. (Additionally, you might be able to use a tool I am currently developing for that purpose soon, but I can't make a promise yet.)

As described above, you will most likely not run into any error when following this guide exactly. If there is still any problem, please report so we can work together to help you solve it and to prevent others from running into the same error or doing the same mistake.

Feel free to post suggestions and ideas too. In particular, if something new and CFW-related is released and you want it
to be added to this guide/the 3DS CFW Kit, please inform me about it because it may happen that I don't know about it immediately.

You may find the download links somewhere else...
Tags: AileenLumina, Twitter

Please note that nothing (except the "boot.cfg", the repo.list and this guide) is made by me. The creators of the software should mostly be credited. If you don't see yourself or someone else credited as you/they should be, feel free to PM me here or on Twitter or reply to this thread.

So, without further ado, here is the guide. Have fun!

Installation

Introduction


You need a 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, new 3DS or new 3DS XL running a firmware version from 1.0.0 to 10.3.0 with the last character being U, E or J in order to use this CFW guide. (Note: This thread gives information about which new 3DS consoles come with 9.0.0 - 9.2.0: https://gbatemp.net/threads/n3ds-xl-firmware-by-version-number.381479/ )

You will also need a computer (or another similar device, e.g. a smartphone) which can read and write SD cards (if you are using a normal 3DS, 3DS XL or a 2DS) or/and microSD cards (if you are using a new 3DS or a new 3DS XL).

Tip: If you are planning to swap the (micro)SD of your 3DS (e.g. because you want more space), you should swap them before you start to install a CFW. Remember: Make sure that your (micro)SD is formatted as FAT32 on a primary partition (not logical), otherwise it won't work. There are reports about some (micro)SDs not working at all. It is not known why they don't work and how to find out about whether they work or not before actually trying to use them.


All 3DS/2DS variants


If your 3DS/2DS is on firmware version 9.3.0 or above, skip this and go to 0.2b.


0 Preparing your 3DS


0.1 General preparations


0.1.1 If you haven't done this already: Get the 3DS CFW Kit and extract its content into an empty folder but not onto your (micro)SD card. Extract the ExtractThisHereIf_ ZIP that fits the kind of 3DS you are using to where it is (7-Zip is harshly recommended as WinRAR seems to be too dumb for doing this job properly). When that is done, delete both ExtractThisHereIf_ ZIPs. Then, copy/move the content of that folder directly onto the root of the (micro)SD card of your 3DS (if asked, select overwrite). (You can delete the folder you've just copied the files from now if you chose to copy them but of course you can also keep them just in case.)
Several files are needed on your (micro)SD if you want to install a custom firmware – not only the custom firmware itself. Fortunately, all files are included in the 3DS CFW Kit which should now be on your (micro)SD.

0.1.2 If you have downloaded apps or games from the eShop already (while you used the (micro)SD you are using now), delete the dbs folder on the root of your (micro)SD now.
You will not need the dbs folder included in the 3DS CFW Kit because you will already have one if you have installed games/apps using the eShop app.

0.1.3 If you already booted your 3DS while the (micro)SD card you are going to use was inserted into your 3DS, skip the following and continue at the next step. If you haven't, insert the (micro)SD into the 3DS, turn on your 3DS, get to the home menu and wait for the 3DS to create the home menu management data.
This is just for all those who have never used their console until now.

0.1.4 If you have downloaded apps or games from the eShop already (while you used the (micro)SD you are using now), skip the following four steps too and continue at 0.1.8. If not, turn off your 3DS, remove the (micro)SD and connect it to your computer/smartphone again.

0.1.5 Right-click on the dbs folder on your (micro)SD and click on Cut, then go to Nintendo 3DS -> [random characters] -> [random characters], right-click there and click on Paste.
After you did this, you will have dummy database (.db) files in your 3DS system folder.

0.1.6 Remove your (micro)SD and insert it into your 3DS again.

0.1.7 Go to System Settings -> Data Management -> Nintendo 3DS -> Software on your 3DS and select Reset. (thx to @Steveice10 )
Your system will "repair" your dummy database files. That way, they're going to work even with other (unofficial) app installers than the eShop without needing you to use the eShop (which will not work on firmware versions from 9.0.0 to 9.2.0.

0.1.8 Change your theme to uninstall menuhax/themehax if you have it installed. (You can find the theme settings in the upper left corner of the bottom screen in the home menu, as long as you're on FW version 9.0.0+.) (thx to @Seville )
This is just in case you already have used homebrew and installed the so-called menuhax (old name: themehax).


0.2 Getting your 3DS to a working firmware version (9.0.0 - 9.2.0) (downgrading/manually updating your 3DS) (thx to @samiam144 and @The_Zett )


0.2a Manually updating your 'old' 3DS to 9.2.0

You'll only need to do this if your 3DS/2DS is on a firmware version below 9.0.0; otherwise, youcan skip this part.


0.2a.1 If you are on a firmware version below 4.1.0, get the current firmware update (which is 10.3.0) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE using the system settings and continue with 0.2b.
Sadly, 10.3.0 is no longer the most recent firmware version. @samiam144 might be able to help you out.

0.2a.2 Open the internet browser of your 3DS and type v.gd/loadrx . Tap on the displayed link. Once the screens start to change, hold L until the rxTools menu shows up.

This should load the menu of the custom firmware rxTools. If it doesn't, try the following:

Get rxTools 2.5.2 from here and put the rxTools.dat it contains onto the root of your SD card, then put /rxTools/sys/firmware.bin next to the rxTools.dat onto the root of your SD card. Whenever the guide tells you to type a specific URL to launch rxTools, type is.gd/loadoldrx instead.

0.2a.3 In the rxTools menu, go to the right until you see ADVANCED OPTIONS on the bottom screen, press (A), select INSTALL FBI and select sysNAND by pressing (X). Press (B), take note of what it says on screen, then repeat this but this time press (Y) after selecting sysNAND again.
We are going to inject an unofficial app installer into the Health&Safety app but in order to do so, we need to gather some information about it.

0.2a.4 Go to the link that you will find where you have found the 3DS CFW Kit and get the 9.2.0 firmware ZIP archive that fits your 3DS system region (E for Europe and Australia, U for America and J for Japan; see your firmware version if you are unsure) (also make sure the file name ends with _o3DS.zip), as well as the fbi_inject.tmd and fbi_inject.app files that fit your region and your TMD version. (both should have been shown on screen previously. If you don't know your TMD version, you will need to download all of them and try them one by one.)
The files you download here are the firmware files you will need to actually update your system to a better (in terms of compatibility) firmware version and the files needed in order to inject the unofficial app installer (which is called FBI).

0.2a.5 Once downloaded, open the 9.2.0 firmware ZIP archive and find the "updates" folder; place it on your SD card. Copy the sysUpdater.cia, fbi_inject.tmd and fbi_inject.app files to the root of your SD card.

0.2a.6 Turn on your 3DS.

0.2a.7 Do 0.2a.2 again.

0.2a.2 Open the internet browser of your 3DS and type v.gd/loadrx . Tap on the displayed link. Once the screens start to change, hold L until the rxTools menu shows up.

This should load the menu of the custom firmware rxTools. If it doesn't, try the following:

Spoiler

Get rxTools 2.5.2 from here and put the rxTools.dat it contains onto the root of your SD card, then put /rxTools/sys/firmware.bin next to the rxTools.dat onto the root of your SD card. Whenever the guide tells you to type a specific URL to launch rxTools, type is.gd/loadoldrx instead.

0.2a.8 In the rxTools menu, go to the right until you see ADVANCED OPTIONS on the bottom screen, press (A), select INSTALL FBI and select sysNAND by pressing (X). If asked, choose to keep the files as you may need them if it failed for whatever reason.
This will inject FBI into the Health&Safety app. If signature checks are patched, the Health&Safety app will appear on your home screen just as normal but it will contain the unofficial CIA (that's what 3DS apps are called) installer you injected (FBI).

0.2a.9 Go back to the ADVANCED OPTIONS and select DEVMODE.
This will patch the signature checks the 3DS system performs when you try to launch an app. The signature of an app indicates whether the app is legit or not but if the signature checks are patched, the system can't recognize non-legit apps at all.

0.2a.10 Once you're back in the home menu, open the Health&Safety app to open FBI.

0.2a.11 Find the sysUpdater.cia and install it by selecting it and pressing (A).
It should be in the CIAs folder. This is how to install an app using FBI.

0.2a.12 Wait for the installation to complete, then press [START] to finish the installation and go back to the home menu by pressing [HOME].

0.2a.13 Unwrap the 'gift' on your home screen, open sysUpdater and follow the instructions on screen. Remember: You want to update your 3DS/2DS.
The on-screen instructions should be self-explanatory; if you still have issues, don't forget that you can contact me.


0.2b Downgrading to 9.2.0


0.2b.0 I do NOT guarantee that the following works. Continue at your own risk. Follow these steps very precisely and focused. Most important: Stay calm. Almost 100% of all downgrade bricks are made by stupid mistakes. If you just follow these steps exactly, you will most likely (according to reports) not run into any serious issue; I cannot guarantee anything though.

0.2b.1 Update your system to 10.3.0 using the system settings if it's not on 10.3.0 yet.
SKIP THIS STEP AS THE 10.4.0 UPDATE IS OUT WHICH FIXES THE EXPLOIT!

0.2b.2 Make a backup of your (micro)SD's content, then re-insert your (micro)SD into your console and format your system using the system settings. You will lose apps, DLCs, games and everything, but according to all reports, you will be able to regain them after the download process by re-linking your NNID afterwards.
This is optional, but it increases the success rate a lot. If you want to backup your save games, please wait some more hours until the save backup section is finished.

0.2b.3 Turn off your 3DS and remove the (micro)SD card.

0.2b.4 Get the Downgrade Kit , as well as the 9.2.0-20X(Full)_o3DS/n3DS ZIP you will get from the "Manual Update/Downgrade Files" link at the usual place (where some useful links are if you don't know what I mean... Did you already check out my site?).

Spoiler: old/outdated

, then check the MD5 hash of the 9.2.0-20X(Full) ZIP file.

For checking the MD5 and SHA-1, use the following and http://onlinemd5.com/ or the automatic MD5 check feature of SafeSysUpdater:

O3DS 9.2.0-20U:

MD5: 879f437d7c78f09ae565f79f5aa9c421

SHA-1: ccc272c495a84aa49f8db2da6072a79a73053e19

O3DS 9.2.0-20E:

MD5: caec3e015bc065dd0ca512f219c8fc3c

SHA-1: 63f0e83892af0f43d159685b4d775e09360552e4

O3DS 9.2.0-20J:

MD5: a7c14f50e553d99d93efd3a8dd4f8b9d

SHA-1: 422af53b07c270d65bf443d09736f3d1c540641c

N3DS 9.2.0-20U:

MD5: e5f40c3b155cfd12ef38be35d2e81d2e

SHA-1: 377c140377fb6cf31a0c032c4e1196cc521f87fe

N3DS 9.2.0-20E:

MD5: 6dcca8fcbc9a28c82c2a4e5182f3acf8

SHA-1: e7c77bf205137167f1f1befa0c4db9d879a21a2e

N3DS 9.2.0-20J:

MD5: f46677696ed4bf0e182de5a8168b7542

SHA-1: c9a1aaf4a4923fb5e065546da5c4a4da37aafdb2

You will need all these files. The Downgrade Kit includes the actual downgrade program as well as the program needed to launch it (the so-called Homebrew Launcher). The updates folder contains all the firmware files the downgrade application needs in order to downgrade your system.

0.2b.5 Put your (micro)SD card into your computer.

0.2b.6 Delete everything on your (micro)SD card, then install and launch Minitool Partition Wizard.
You can find it in the PC_Apps folder which was included in the Downgrade Kit. You will need to format your (micro)SD using a quite good tool such as Minitool Partition Wizard to ensure that your (micro)SD won't cause any issues.

0.2b.7 Right-click on your (micro)SD and select "Wipe" to delete the partition(s) on your (micro)SD, then right-click on "Unformatted" and select "Delete".

0.2b.8 Right-click on "Unallocated" in your (micro)SD card and select "Create" to create a new partition.

0.2b.9 Select "Primary" wherever it says "Logical", and then set "Format" to "FAT32".

0.2b.10 In the top-left, click on "Apply" to finish.
It is important that you wait until the process is finished as you would endanger your computer if you don't. Now you have successfully formatted your (micro)SD. It is now absolutely safe to use.

0.2b.11 Exit the Partition Wizard, then install and launch TeraCopy.
TeraCopy is a little but useful program that ensures that any copying operations work flawlessly and that files won't be corrupted after being copied.

0.2b.12 Use TeraCopy to copy the updates folder you have extracted from the 9.2.0-20X(Full) ZIP file onto your (micro)SD, as well as the content of the Downgrade Kit.
You should just need to copy the files normally and TeraCopy will automatically become active.

0.2b.13 Put your (micro)SD card back into your 3DS, follow the instructions on screen, then change the theme, then change it back to default. Now turn off your system, connect the (micro)SD to your computer and try to move the dbs folder into the /Nintendo 3DS/(random characters)/(random characters)/ folder. If there is already a dbs folder, don’t copy the dbs folder to there. If the system asks you if it should overwrite, DON’T LET IT OVERWRITE ANYTHING! Then turn on your system, go to System Settings -> Data Management -> Nintendo 3DS -> Software and let it "repair" the files.
All these steps are just to increase the success rate and are based on reports. It is recommended to just follow these steps one by one. If you can't find a dbs folder, you can take the one from the 3DS CFW Kit, it works just as well.

0.2b.14 Launch browserhax:

2.1.1 Disable wireless connection, then scan this QR code

by pressing [L]+[R] in the home menu and tapping on the QR code icon.

2.1.2 Select "OK" to launch the web browser.

2.1.3 Once the web browser is loaded, press [HOME].

2.1.4 Enable wireless connection.

2.2.1 Ensure that your internet connection is good, then open the web browser and let the page load. New 3DS users: The system will automatically take you to the Homebrew Launcher.

Spoiler: 'old' 3DS/2DS

2.2.2 Zoom in all the way.

2.2.3 Scroll to the top-left of the screen.

2.2.4 You will see a volume bar there. Tap the very right of this volume bar. The system should take you to the Homebrew Launcher now.
It is pretty unstable, if it doesn't work at the first try, keep trying until it works. You just need to tap exactly the very right of the volume bar. See the FAQ for troubleshooting.

0.2b.15 Once in the Homebrew Launcher, select menuhax_manager, then choose "Install".
This will install the so-called menuhax. According to reports, it works better with downgrading.

0.2b.16 Exit the menuhax_manager, then turn off your system without exiting the HBL, then turn it back on. Make sure it is disconnected from any Wi-Fi network while doing the following steps, then turn it off again.
You should still be able to connect it to the internet after you did the following steps without modifying your 3DS' internet settings.

0.2b.17 So far so good! You will need to repeat this process until SafeSysUpdater loads correctly. Turn on your 3DS and hold [L] to enter the Homebrew Launcher. Launch ftbrony and exit it by pressing (B). Launch SafeSysUpdater, then select Downgrade by pressing (Y), and after you did that, DO NOTHING ANYMORE. Be patient. If it succeeds, congratulations, you are on 9.2.0 now!

It does take a lot of tries until you will have success. Some people needed 50-100 tries, so be patient. It is pretty likely that it will work after the 10th try at max.

Thx to @Dribblejam and @shadowofdarkness !


If you are using an 'old' 3DS, do part 0.1, then continue below. If you are using a new 3DS, do part 0.1, then continue a number of lines below where it says new 3DS and new 3DS XL.


'old' 3DS, 3DS XL and 2DS


1 Creating a usable copy of your system’s data on your SD card


1.1 Obtaining the ability to install CIAs ((unofficial) 3DS apps) onto your system (Injecting BigBlueMenu)


1.1.0 Just to make sure the following works: Delete all data in the 3DS browser's settings menu. It is likely that you will have to do this every time you are supposed to "launch browserhax"/"access the HBL via the browser"/"launch EmuNAND9/Decrypt9WIP".

1.1.1 Open your 3DS/2DS browser, type v.gd/loadd9 and tap on the displayed link to launch Decrypt9WIP. If you have issues trying to load Decrypt9WIP as described above (or EmuNAND9 later), make use of these steps:

0. Open the 3DS web browser and clear all data if you haven't done this yet.

1. Open the 3DS web browser and go to v.gd/loadd9 . Click the displayed link. Press [HOME] before the page is fully loaded.

2. Turn off wireless connection and open the browser again.

3. The connection will fail, of course. Open the browser menu and create a bookmark of the current page.

4. Go back to the home menu and turn on wireless connection, then open the web browser.

5. If it still doesn't work, try to rename Launcher.dat to Launcher.dat.bak, then rename EmuNAND9.dat / Decrypt9WIP.dat to Launcher.dat, then type go.gateway-3ds.com into your browser.

6. If it STILL doesn’t work, install browserhax first and launch the app from there (see 2.1.1 to 2.2.4).

Decrypt9 is a tool that can – in conjunction with UniversalInjectGenerator – easily inject an unofficial 3DS app installer called BigBlueMenu into the Health&Safety app but you will need to get a dump of the Health&Safety app that is installed on your system in order to do so. Don't worry, that's exactly what's explained in the following steps.

1.1.2 Go to SysNAND File Options -> Health & Safety Dump.
This will create the dump you're gonna need.

1.1.3 Wait until the process is finished, then unmount your SD card, remove the SD card and connect it to your PC.
There is an option that allows you to unmount the (micro)SD; the button you have to press is displayed on screen.

1.1.4 Move hs.app on your SD card into \PC_Apps\UniversalInjectGenerator\input .
This is where the UniversalInjectGenerator expects the dumped app to be.

1.1.5 Run go.bat while running Windows on your PC.
This will launch the UniversalInjectGenerator which will have done its job shortly afterwards.

1.1.6 Now go to the input folder, rename BigBlueMenu-with-banner.app to hs.app and move it besides boot.3dsx, auto.3dsx & Co. (onto the root of your SD card).
This will overwrite the already existing, original hs.app of your system with the edited one; it might be better if you have a backup of it before you overwrite it.

1.1.7 Put the SD card back into your 3DS/2DS and press (B) to go back to the Decrypt9 menu.
This will re-mount (reconnect) your SD card with your console.

1.1.8 Back in Decrypt9, select Health&Safety Inject (and enter the key code).
This will finally inject BigBlueMenu into the Health&Safety app.

1.1.9 Turn off your 3DS/2DS and then turn it back on.


1.2 Creating an emuNAND partition on your SD card (by cloning sysNAND)


1.2.1 Turn off wireless connections, then type v.gd/loade9 into the browser.

1.2.2 Press [HOME], turn wifi back on, then open the browser again. Wait until EmuNAND9 is loaded.

1.2.3 In the menu, select EmuNAND Manager Options -> Dump SysNAND to NAND.bin and press (A).

1.2.4 When the backup is finished, press [SELECT] to unmount your SD, then remove it.

1.2.5 Backup your SD card's content on your computer and move your NAND backup (NAND.bin) to a safe place.

1.2.6 Insert the SD into your 3DS again, press (B) and select Complete EmuNAND Setup this time. Follow the instructions on screen.

1.2.7 Once the process is finished, press [SELECT] to unmount your SD again.

1.2.8 Remove the SD, connect it to your PC and restore your SD backup (leave the NAND.bin on your PC, you will not need it on the SD).

1.2.9 Insert the SD card into the 3DS again, press (B) and then [START] to reboot your system.


2 Installing necessary software


2.1 Obtaining the ability to freely run unsigned code (Installing browserhax)


2.1.1 Disable wireless connection, then scan this QR code

by pressing [L]+[R] in the home menu and tapping on the QR code icon.

2.1.2 Select "OK" to launch the web browser.

2.1.3 Once the web browser is loaded, press [HOME].

2.1.4 Enable wireless connection.


2.2 Patching out the signature checks of the system (Running browserhax and launching PastaCFW/miniPasta) (thx to @capito27 , @AlbertoSONIC , @motezazer , @felipejfc , @nop90 , @dela , @Crusard , @FrozenFish24 )


2.2.1 Ensure that your internet connection is good, then open the web browser and let the page load.

2.2.2 Zoom in all the way.

2.2.3 Scroll to the top-left of the screen.

2.2.4 You will see a volume bar there. Tap the very right of this volume bar. The system should take you to the Homebrew Launcher now.

(It is pretty unstable, if it doesn't work at the first try, keep trying until it works. You just need to tap exactly the very right of the volume bar. See the FAQ for troubleshooting.)

2.2.5 Select "miniPasta" in the Homebrew Launcher (HBL) and press (A). Wait a moment for your 3DS to patch out the signature checks. You are back in the home menu after a few seconds, but now you are able to freely install CIAs (installable 3DS apps). (If this doesn’t work, try again, but this time, choose “PastaCFW” in the Homebrew Launcher.)


2.3 Installing a CIA installer and the Homebrew Launcher to the home menu (Installing FBI.cia and hblauncher_loader.cia on sysNAND by using BBM) (thx to @Steveice10 and @yellows8 )


2.3.1 Select Health&Safety from the menu . Go to the SDMC tab, open CIAs, select FBI.cia and press (A).


2.3.2 Wait for the installation to finish, then install hblauncher_loader.cia right afterwards without exiting. After that is done as well, exit BBM (BigBlueMenu) by pressing [HOME].

2.3.3 You should see two 'gifts' on your home menu, unwrap them. Now you have the HBL loader and the CIA installer (FBI) installed successfully. You can close Health&Safety/BBM now.


Go to 3 now (see a number of lines below).


new 3DS and new 3DS XL



1 Obtaining the ability to install unsigned apps on the 3DS (Installing a CIA manager on your sysNAND)


1.1 Obtaining the ability to execute unsigned code (Setting up browserhax) (thx to @teampleb , @yellows8 , @smealum et al.)


1.1.1 Just to make sure the following works: Check that you currently have 2 opened tabs at max in the 3DS internet browser. If you have more than 2, you have to close as many as needed until you have 2 or less.

1.1.2 Disable wireless connection if it's turned on (you can find this option in the menu at the upper left corner if you use a new 3DS), then scan this QR code

by pressing [L]+[R] in the home menu and tapping on the QR code icon.

1.1.3 Select "OK" to launch the web browser.

1.1.4 Once the web browser is loaded, press [HOME].

1.1.5 Enable wireless connection.


1.2 Patching out the signature checks of the system (Launch PastaCFW) (thx to @capito27 , @AlbertoSONIC , @motezazer , @felipejfc , @nop90 , @dela , @Crusard , @FrozenFish24 )


1.2.1 Ensure that your internet connection is good, then open the web browser. If you don't see the Homebrew Launcher after about 30 seconds (depending on the quality of your connection, the time your 3DS needs may vary) and instead something else happens, go to the browser settings and delete the entire browser data, then do 1.1 again.

1.2.2 Select "Pasta CFW loader" in the Homebrew Launcher (HBL) and press (A). Wait a moment for your 3DS to patch out the signature checks. You are back in the home menu after a few seconds, but now you are able to freely install CIAs (installable 3DS apps).


1.3 Installing a CIA installer/Installing the Homebrew Launcher to the home menu. (Installing FBI.cia on sysNAND by using FBI.3dsx/Installing hblauncher_loader.cia by using FBI) (thx to @Steveice10 and @yellows8 )


1.3.1 Open the browser again and wait until you are in the HBL again.

1.3.2 Select FBI from the menu . Open CIAs, select FBI.cia and press (A). Wait for the installation to finish, then install hblauncher_loader.cia right afterwards without exiting FBI. After that is done as well, exit FBI by pressing [START](old 3DS: [HOME]).

1.3.3 If you use an 'old' 3DS, skip this step. Back in the HBL, press [START] and then (A) to exit the HBL.

1.3.4 Launch browserhax again (open the web browser). (Do not forget to ensure that your connection is good.)

1.3.5 Let PastaCFW patch out the signature checks (select Pasta CFW loader and press (A)).

1.3.6 You should see two 'gifts' on your home menu, unwrap them. Now you have the HBL loader and the CIA installer (FBI) installed successfully.


2 Preparing the microSD for using it as the system storage (Installing an emuNAND) (thx to the Gateway team and @d0k3 )


2.1 Formatting the microSD properly (Installing the emuNAND partition)


2.1.1 Launch the HBL again using the HBL loader that you just installed. Press and hold (X)+(Y) while you do so for the first time until you are in the HBL. (Do so again when a new *hax version is released.)

2.1.2 Select EmuNAND9 and wait until the menu finished loading.

2.1.3 In the menu, select EmuNAND Manager Options -> Dump SysNAND to NAND.bin and press (A).

2.1.4 When the backup is finished, press [SELECT] to unmount your (micro)SD, then remove it.

2.1.5 Backup your microSD card's content on your computer and move your NAND backup (NAND.bin) to a safe place.

2.1.6 Insert the microSD into your 3DS again, press (B) and select Complete EmuNAND Setup this time. Follow the instructions on screen.

2.1.7 Once the process is finished, press [SELECT] to unmount your microSD again.

2.1.8 Remove the microSD, connect it to your PC and restore your microSD backup (leave the NAND.bin on your PC, you will not need it on the microSD).

2.1.9 Insert the microSD card into the 3DS again, press (B) and then [START] to reboot your system.


All 3DS/2DS variants


3 Booting into the (micro)SD's system (Booting into emuNAND/rxTools) (thx to the rxTools team)


3.1 Making sure the microSD's system is working (Installing menuhax and CtrBootManager)


3.1.1 Launch browserhax ('old' 3DS users: see 1.1.2 to 1.2.5). In the HBL, select menuhax_manager and press (A) to confirm.

3.1.2 Select Install.

3.1.3 Turn off your 3DS and go to 4.1 now.

3.1.4 Turn on your 3DS and wait. Note: About five seconds after the bottom screen starts flashing, press and hold any button (e.g. (A)) until you are in the home menu to avoid that menuhax re-triggers. CtrBootManager will now become active in the background and make your 3DS boot into rxTools (you can change your default CFW later).

3.1.5 Use FBI to install BootNTR.cia, then press [HOME]. Unwrap the new app, then close FBI. (If any of this didn't work, please report that. Don't just continue if it didn't work!)

3.1.6 Change the theme to uninstall menuhax (do not choose the white default theme, choose another one instead), turn off your 3DS, remove the (micro)SD, turn on your 3DS.


3.2 Enabling the 3DS to coldboot into the (micro)SD's system (Unlinking sysNAND and emuNAND) (thx to @yellows8, @cpasjuste and @Steveice10 )


3.2.1 Format your 3DS system using the system settings. (Don't worry, you won't lose anything since everything on your system was cloned to the emuNAND (which is on your (micro)SD) when you formatted your (micro)SD using the EmuNAND9 menu).)

3.2.2 Follow the instructions until you are in the home menu again, then insert your (micro)SD again.

3.2.3 Change the theme.

3.2.4 Configure your internet settings.

3.2.5 Finally, scan the QR code again, and back in the HBL, select menuhax manager, and then "Install". Now your system will always launch the boot menu on startup.


You are done. That's it. You have installed a CFW on your 3DS. Congratulations!

You should not try to update your emuNAND as 10.3.0 seems to be incompatible with emuNAND at the moment. DO NOT UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM AT ALL IF YOU ARE USING A NEW 3DS!


At this point a huge thank you to @VerseHell for his tutorial and his patience!


4 Additional steps


4.1 Enabling your 3DS to coldboot into a CFW (Using HxD to make menuhax launch auto.3dsx (CtrBootManager) instead of boot.3dsx) (thx to @duwen )


4.1.0 You will likely need a computer for this. If you have already made a backup of your "ropbinpayload_menuhax_" .bin file, copy it onto your (micro)SD and overwrite the already existing file.

4.1.1 Launch \PC_Apps\HxD\HxD.exe . (You can also try "Hex Editor" from Google Play/Aptoide if you want to/can only use an Android device.)

4.1.2 Click on File -> Open.

4.1.3 Open the .bin file on your (micro)SD that starts with "ropbinpayload_menuhax_".

4.1.4 Click on Search -> Find and type "boot.3dsx".

4.1.5 Do the following twice: Change "boot.3dsx" into "auto.3dsx" by clicking right before "boot" and typing "auto".

4.1.6 Click on File -> Save.

4.1.7 Backup the "ropbinpayload_menuhax_" .bin file you just edited onto your PC.

4.1.8 Now you can return to 3.1.4.


4.2 Configure the CtrBootManager (How to change which CFW your 3DS is booting on startup, and how it boots that CFW)


4.2.1 Reboot/turn on your 3DS. Press and hold [SELECT] as soon as the bottom screen turns white to access the CBM menu.

4.2.2 Go to More -> Settings.

4.2.3 If you are using a new 3DS, set "Bootfix" to 2 now.

This increases the boot success rate and is obligatory.

4.2.4 If you want to, you can change which CFW your 3DS will boot into by editing "default". (Note: Reinand doesn't work with 'old' 3DS and 2DS yet. And don't forget that you need to hold any button, for example [L], when you boot into sysNAND so menuhax won't be triggered again.)

4.2.5 It is possible to add a boot delay by editing "Timeout". The value you set there is the number of seconds you will have on boot to choose a different CFW to boot than the one that is set as default.

4.2.6 It is also possible to add a homebrew app (.3dsx) as a boot menu option. To do so, go to More -> File browser and select the homebrew app you want to add to the boot menu.

4.2.7 When you have finished configuring CBM to your liking, go back by pressing (B), select Reboot and enjoy.

Installation FAQ:

1: I seem to be unable to get to the Homebrew Launcher via the browser, it fails every time. Any way to fix this?

Bookmark the page your browser opens after scanning the QR code, then clear history and cookies every time it fails.

If your 3DS freezes while the bottom screen is grey, you need to hard-reset by pressing the power button for at least 3 seconds, otherwise browserhax won't work. See 1.1.0 and the note in 1.2.5 for additional tips if it still doesn't work.

2. What to do with all of these things I've just installed?

Don't worry, as this is actually not a CFW Installation Guide but a CFW Guide; you won't have to wait a long time until you will find answers to "What to do with all of these things I've just installed?" in the OP too.

Usage

(in progress)

Tips&Tricks

(in progress)

 

[RanDart]

I tried more and more but i can't get past the pinky dots.

I have done again all the 0.2 point, Except for updating to 10.3 (It's already that), and the part where you wipe partition on the sd and then create on unallocated.

I have just deleted everything and formatted, Doing all the other steps properly. I can't get past the pinky dots...

 

[AileenLumina]

How would I do to start from scratch with the new SD? Can I just copy the contents of my current SD and continue?
Is it safe to reboot if pasta or emunand are not launching?

I'll add instructions to the FAQ on how to do this.

Hi I believe that section 0.2b is lacking in instructions. Looking at you menuhax...
am i supposed to put the 3ds folder from the Downgrade Kit into the root of my SD card?
The instructions suddenly jumped from launching browserhax to the menuhax (inside the 3ds folder which was never mentioned in section 0.2b)

About 0.2b.13 I can't find any dbs folder is that ok?
Before 0.2b.14, am I supposed to plug the SD card back into my 3DS?

Thanks in advance!

I'll improve the downgrade section now, as well as the rest of the guide.

Am I supposed to turn off my network connection? but ftbrony doesn't seem to work when it is not connected to the internet. XD

Quite honestly I am not sure what FTB does lol. I just left my network connection on since we need it to run HBL, then ran FTB and immediately exited (yeah just following the guide there, I really have no idea what FTB is supposed to do) and proceeded to launch SafeSysUpdater. I repeated this step 5 or 6 times before the downgrading process could start after hitting (Y).

Its a voodoo magic step. Its a FTP server for the 3DS, some closed beta testers reported higher success rates of executing sysupdater on arm11 when doing that step. So its now law. Doesn't hurt anything though.

It's for cleaning RAM. Just do it, it will make the (Safe)SysUpdater working more likely.

Hi thanks for the tutorial but the Downgrade toolkit won't extract from winrar. It comes up with an error saying "Unexpected end of archive". Is there anywhere else to download a working toolkit?

Your download seems to be corrupted. You'd just have to re-download.

4.1.0 You will likely need a computer for this. If you have already made a backup of your "ropbinpayload_menuhax_" .bin

I think this is mispelled

Is it?

EDIT: I realized that the last pack of the 3DS CFW KIT (3.00) misses some cias and other elements of the guide. The previous is no longer available, please @AidanLumina reupload the kit with all the needed files! Thanks for your hard work!

I just downloaded and no files seem to be missing... :/

Where is the dbs folder i have to copy into nintendo 3ds / numbers / numbers ?

I'll fix that.

With the BootNTR.cia, what does it do? Unwrapped it and then followed rest of the guide.. and then I booted into rxTools and I clicked the icon because I was curious and it installed something but I don't know what or what effect it is going to have? Please clarify what it is, if it needs to be run?

This is to test the functionality of your emuNAND.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

I tried more and more but i can't get past the pinky dots.

I have done again all the 0.2 point, Except for updating to 10.3 (It's already that), and the part where you wipe partition on the sd and then create on unallocated.

I have just deleted everything and formatted, Doing all the other steps properly. I can't get past the pinky dots...

Some people needed to try it for a hundred times...

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Hello!
I'm trying to updating rxTools to 2.6 versions, which runs GBA Games on emuNAND
How should I proceed?
Thanks a lot!

You don't need to. Just install the AGB_FIRM CIA with destination set to NAND, then install the GBA VC title on both sysNAND and emuNAND (this is necessary). After you've done that, you should be able to launch the GBA VC title.

 

[PyaKura]

I keep getting kicked out to the Home Menu trying to launch Pasta... I'll simply update back to 10.3 and try to downgrade again, hopefully to a proper 9.2. Do I need to redo all the previous step or can I start over just by installing the menuhax_manager thing and try to downgrade again by rebooting over and over?

 

[RanDart]

One thing i got for sure.

When i use your old Archive and the old Safesysupdater it brings me to Overwrite complete - Map complete.
When i use your new Safesysupdater it freezes at the pinky dots instead.

The two file weight a little different so there surely is something changed. Should i keep trying with the old or the new one?

This firmware thing is costing me health

 

[janpooru]

I'll improve the downgrade section now, as well as the rest of the guide.

Thanks for the guide and for attending to our questions. I wish you good luck
Somehow I managed to do it (?), well at least I can run rxtools, and i was able to install and run paper mario cia *^*

I have a few questions though:
0.2b.17 I used the SysUpdate instead of the safe one, i just can't bear with it anylonger XD. What could be the negative impacts of this?
3.1.4 My rxtools installation failed initially due to missing files and stuff. I forced shut down somewhere when it seemed to hang and it left my rxtools folder with weirdly named (and sized) files (3gb in size, cannot be deleted even with cmd ran as admin) inside. I also cannot paste the sys folder inside this rxtools folder, So i just renamed the pre-existing folder and placed a new rxtools folder. How can I get rid of this thing? :X its still in my sd card.

I also had other mishaps like failing to make a backup of the contents on step 1.2.5 so i just pasted a new CFW Kit \m/.
Repeated Step 3.1 since it failed and i ended up being in a console like thing with purplish background (is this ctrbootmanager? O: ) . So i uninstalled menuhax and returned the ropbin which uses the boot.3ds.
So my big question is how are things supposed to end up? I had a lot of mishaps so i'm not really sure if i did it right.
It was said in 3.2.5 that "Now your system will always launch the boot menu on startup." What does this mean? "boot menu"? What i have on startup is the HLB where i launch my rxtools from :X

P.S: What about step 4.2? it was never mentioned anywhere else, or it was meant that way, anyway i didn't understand a thing in section 4.2 XDDD

 

[RanDart]

Edit: Ok the QR code is Browser Hax Instead the L+Power is the Menu Hax.

That's because i have read that the entry point (The various HAX, as i understood) may change the result.

I also read of this "memchunkhax2". Could that be helpful?

Edit: What if i use FTP-3ds instead of FTBrony? I tried it once and it go a little further (But failing)
I also put memchunkhax2 in the 3ds folder, but it didn't let me choose anything it just writes something then let you exit. Is this just some sort of check?

Edit: I've also read of this Kernel Time Machine that is going to Downgrade with almost no brick risk. I'm so frustrated as for now. I just wanted to be one of those guys who got everything working good with no problems or thousand of tries.

Edit: After using Memchunkhax the homebrew sometimes doesn't load.

 

[Deleted-380242]

Omfg. This guide is officially 100% terrible.

First of all several of missing or incomplete steps led me to MANY extra hours trying to figure out what is missing where and why. I kept following the guide as I figured that maybe it was just one thing that caused a a hiccup and I could figure a solution, post on the forum, and carry on finishing the steps. Turns out that there plenty of vague or missing steps without any sort of clarification and without context of past scene info and hacks a newbie such as myself needed to spend hours troubleshooting a basic thing like putting a fucking folder on the SD card when not mentioned.


NOW, I go to restore my original SD Card backup and I've lost all my save games and data associated with it. Why? Because you tell us to make a NAND backup *after* formatting the sysNAND.

So that means I lose all my play time tracking, all my save games, the maps for the current games I'm playing. all my Miis, Mii Plaza data, Puzzle data, etc etc etc.

That is now a couple HUNDRED hours I've lost following you're 'Complete+Easy 100% foolproof guide'.

I would think that a guide that is meant to encapsulate everything cleanly for newbies would recommend a sysNAND backup or something with savedatafiler (who knows what I need I'm just piecing info together) in order to not lose ALL PROGRESS on your device? This is ridiculous.

My o3DS is 100% downgraded and hacked, thanks for the basic outline.

I'm now missing all my save data and information. Please include a BIG WARNING THAT YOU WILL LOSE ALL PROGRESS ON EVERYTHING.

...cheers.

 

[PyaKura]

Good thing I have backup my previous SD Card content and my MHX save is apparently stored in the Nintendo 3DS folder, so hopefully I have nothing to fear.
Well even if I'm losing my save, it's still better than losing nearly 700 hours of playtime on my eur n3ds haha, I guess I was right to try this on my JP first.

 

[Deleted-380242]

Well, I've looked around briefly and you *can* save stuff. You just need to do so before hand, which this guide neglects to mention. I'm furious.

I also have a backup of my old SD, but apparently it's locked to your previous sysNAND so you can't copy+paste it. So goodluck with your MHX save, enjoy the headache.

 

[PyaKura]

In truth I don't really mind starting over but if I can keep the save it's all good. But yeah it does suck be in your case :/

 

[Deleted-380242]

Nothing I lost is going to kill me. It was my Dual Destinies save, which I luckily just completed last week, and my Persona Q labyrinth map data which is very annoying because I'm currently playing the game and have no maps now.

The rest of the stuff is majorly irritating, like my play history+times, Mii data, streetpass puzzle data, but it's not the end of the world. But I am feeling some major aneurysm-inducing frustration.

Nintendo sucks for their shitty DRM file transfer restrictions, and this guide is shit for wasting many hours of my life with shitty redundancies, opaque steps, screwed up formatting, lack of information related to backups, and some flat-out wrong parts.

Seriously, fan-fucking-tastic. I have a sysNAND backup that is empty and a worthless SD Card backup.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Honestly, I followed this guide because it seemed to promise everything and be the only clear recent one for the o3DS. There are nicer looking ones for the n3DS.

I appreciate the amount of work that has gone into this, and I can take partial responsibility for blindly trusting and not doing more rigorous research, but I definitely feel that this guide should be avoided until some major modifications are made to it.

I will head home from work later today and probably fruitlessly spend more time trying to get my information back.

 

[RanDart]

I don't know what happened to you that's really bad luck. I remembered reading this, maybe its gonna help dunno.

0.2b.2 Format your system using the system settings. (You will lose apps, DLCs, games and everything, but according to all reports, you will be able to regain them after the download process by re-linking your NNID afterwards.) This is optional, but it increases the success rate a lot.

I don't know what does it mean but it says that those things are recoverable somehow.

---------------------------------

BTW I DID IT. I WAS GIVING UP THEN TRIED ONE MORE TIME. Here's what i have done to overcome the pinky dots and map complete issue.

I was using menuhax to launch homebrew like everyone in this guide (L+power)
I used the new "Safesysupdater" in the new downgrade kit of Aidan. (The one that gave me pinky dots)
Then i tried FTP-3ds instead of FTBrony and it worked the very first time.

Side.
I have launched memchunkhax once. I shouldn't have but i got no problem.
I tried many times with the old Safesysupdater, both FTP and Brony, Brony brought me to "Map Complete" while FTP advanced a little before failing.
Then i was giving up, but i thought "Let's just try this FTP that makes me go further, but with the new Safesysupdater" And it worked the first time.

As far as i know Downgrade is the most brick risky.

I should be out of the danger zone from now on. Right?

 

[PyaKura]

@RanDart Gratz!

Okay so now I'm at step 3.1.4 but after I did 3.1.3 (and the following stuff like editing the file with HxD) and proceed to step 3.1.4 which says that my bottom screen is supposed to be flashing, mine does not. Did I do something wrong? Also at this point I still cannot launch unsigned .cia without going through the trouble of launching Pasta through the HBL, is this normal?

 

[Deleted-380242]

The step is unclear. I clarified it a couple posts above. You need to install menuhax, not just 'create basic theme'. you should have a a ropbin file that ends in a string of numbers that begin with '1', then you use HXD on it and continue steps.

 

[PyaKura]

That's what I did, but nothing happened after that. Whatever, I'm following another guide which explains it better it seems. (link https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutoria...luding-emunand-coldboot-cia-installer.405589/)

 

[AileenLumina]

Omfg. This guide is officially 100% terrible.

First of all several of missing or incomplete steps led me to MANY extra hours trying to figure out what is missing where and why. I kept following the guide as I figured that maybe it was just one thing that caused a a hiccup and I could figure a solution, post on the forum, and carry on finishing the steps. Turns out that there plenty of vague or missing steps without any sort of clarification and without context of past scene info and hacks a newbie such as myself needed to spend hours troubleshooting a basic thing like putting a fucking folder on the SD card when not mentioned.


NOW, I go to restore my original SD Card backup and I've lost all my save games and data associated with it. Why? Because you tell us to make a NAND backup *after* formatting the sysNAND.

So that means I lose all my play time tracking, all my save games, the maps for the current games I'm playing. all my Miis, Mii Plaza data, Puzzle data, etc etc etc.

That is now a couple HUNDRED hours I've lost following you're 'Complete+Easy 100% foolproof guide'.

I would think that a guide that is meant to encapsulate everything cleanly for newbies would recommend a sysNAND backup or something with savedatafiler (who knows what I need I'm just piecing info together) in order to not lose ALL PROGRESS on your device? This is ridiculous.

My o3DS is 100% downgraded and hacked, thanks for the basic outline.

I'm now missing all my save data and information. Please include a BIG WARNING THAT YOU WILL LOSE ALL PROGRESS ON EVERYTHING.

...cheers.

If you have followed the guide properly, there is no possibility of losing any save data. Did you do 4.1 twice?

BTW, if something was unclear earlier, why didn't you ask a question then?

 

[PyaKura]

Despite switching from a guide to another guide and formating my device and stuff, I still have the same string of random numbers and letters in my SD card. That means I can copy my MHX save into the SD card, use sdvt in sysNAND to back up the save itself and inject it in EmuNAND, is that right?

 

[Deleted-380242]

You are correct, I could have asked for assistance if something was unclear. I generally prefer to exhaust my options before making posts as I understand that you probably have hands full and I didn't really want to ask 'stupid' questions.



The very top of the guide states:

All 3DS/2DS variants


If your 3DS/2DS is on firmware version 9.3.0 or above, skip this and go to 0.2b.

Then 0.2b is:

0.2b.0 I do NOT guarantee that the following works. Continue at your own risk. Follow these steps very precisely and focused. Most important: Stay calm. Almost 100% of all downgrade bricks are made by stupid mistakes. If you just follow these steps exactly, you will most likely (according to reports) not run into any serious issue; I cannot guarantee anything though.

0.2b.1 Update your system to 10.3.0 using the system settings if it's not on 10.3.0 yet. WARNING! CHECK THE MOST RECENT FIRMWARE VERSION BEFORE YOU DO THIS! IF IT'S NOT 10.3.0, SKIP THIS STEP!

0.2b.2 Format your system using the system settings. (You will lose apps, DLCs, games and everything, but according to all reports, you will be able to regain them after the download process by re-linking your NNID afterwards.) This is optional, but it increases the success rate a lot.

So I was following the guide and right at the beginning it tells you to format your system. Like I said, I suppose I was naive in my own handling of the situation, but I feel there are some structural errors in the guide than can be fixed to prevent losing data.


I'm sorry for my frustrated posts, and I do appreciate the information you've compiled here. I've got to play a little bit with the tools provided and I'm exicted at the potential for this device. I just really wish it didn't need to be 'cleansed by fire' so to speak.


Thank you

 

[AileenLumina]

You can add my repos if you want, but tell users that it's not ready-to-use at the moment (will take about a week).

3DS, 3DSXL and 2DS:

{
  "repos":[
    {
      "name":"3DSCFWKIT",
      "url":"http://aidanlumina.bplaced.com/repos/o3ds/"
    }
  ]
}

new 3DS and new 3DS XL:

{
  "repos":[
    {
      "name":"3DSCFWKIT",
      "url":"http://aidanlumina.bplaced.com/repos/n3ds/"
    }
  ]
}

So yeah, I'll be using InstallMii and my own InstallMii repos for keeping the 3DS CFW Kit up-to-date as it's really neat and easy-to-use.

You are correct, I could have asked for assistance if something was unclear. I generally prefer to exhaust my options before making posts as I understand that you probably have hands full and I didn't really want to ask 'stupid' questions.



The very top of the guide states:




Then 0.2b is:



So I was following the guide and right at the beginning it tells you to format your system. Like I said, I suppose I was naive in my own handling of the situation, but I feel there are some structural errors in the guide than can be fixed to prevent losing data.


I'm sorry for my frustrated posts, and I do appreciate the information you've compiled here. I've got to play a little bit with the tools provided and I'm exicted at the potential for this device. I just really wish it didn't need to be 'cleansed by fire' so to speak.


Thank you

It's okay, I can understand you, and I really feel sorry for your loss. I know the feel... I don't know if it can ease your pain but I'll add instructions on how to backup saves before formatting REALLY SOON so others won't have the same problem.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Oh, and a new _update is out! Get it from here this time.

 

[AileenLumina]

The _update
- allows you to update the 3DS CFW Kit using a neat homebrew app (FINALLY! )
- fixes errors about EmuNAND9 and Decrypt9WIP not loading (use v.gc/loade9 and v.gc/loadd9 from now on)

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Despite switching from a guide to another guide and formating my device and stuff, I still have the same string of random numbers and letters in my SD card. That means I can copy my MHX save into the SD card, use sdvt in sysNAND to back up the save itself and inject it in EmuNAND, is that right?

Yes, exactly.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

0.2b.17 I used the SysUpdate instead of the safe one, i just can't bear with it anylonger XD. What could be the negative impacts of this?

If using a japanese new 3DS, you will brick your system if you don't use SafeSysUpdater.

My rxtools installation failed initially due to missing files and stuff. I forced shut down somewhere when it seemed to hang and it left my rxtools folder with weirdly named (and sized) files (3gb in size, cannot be deleted even with cmd ran as admin) inside. I also cannot paste the sys folder inside this rxtools folder, So i just renamed the pre-existing folder and placed a new rxtools folder. How can I get rid of this thing? :X its still in my sd card.

I never experienced that. Well, I guess you'll need to google for "how to delete a file that cannot be deleted" or something. I have no idea XD

Repeated Step 3.1 since it failed and i ended up being in a console like thing with purplish background (is this ctrbootmanager? O: )

Yes, it is, and this is exactly what is supposed to happen on boot. I'll add notes about things like that asap.

P.S: What about step 4.2? it was never mentioned anywhere else, or it was meant that way, anyway i didn't understand a thing in section 4.2 XDDD

You will once you get the menuhax ropbinpayload .bin file that makes your system boot into the CtrBootManager. Just follow the instructions there and you will understand.