How To Install Mods On Fallout 4
How to install mods for Fallout 4?
Follow this steps to install mods that you like!
1. Installing Mods
Mods come as package -> first you need to extract them to a temporary location by using a tool like 7zip. Examine the files / folders of the Mod you’ve unpacked to get a quick overview.
II ) Installing Mods. Mods come as package - first you need to extract them to a temporary location by using a tool like 7zip. Examine the files / folders of the Mod you've unpacked to get a quick overview. You'll find files with ending.esp or.esm and maybe additional folders like textures, meshes or sound.
Nov 23, 2015 Fallout 4 guide: How to install mods Finding and downloading mods. First, you’ll need to find mods that you want to use with Fallout 4. Extracting and installing mods. Go to the folder you downloaded the mods to. Editing the.ini file. Finally, you need to edit the.ini file to teach Fallout 4 to. Jul 30, 2018 Install Mods Search for mods on the Nexus website. Carefully read through the description of each mod. Choose the Files tab. Select 'Download with Manager' on the correct file (s) you need for the mod. Wait for the mods to download in NMM. Select a mod you wish to install and choose 'Install'.
Example of an unzipped Mod under XP and Vista / Windows7
You’ll find files with ending *.esp or *.esm and maybe additional folders like textures, meshes or sound.
After you unpacked a lot of Mods, you’ll consider each result as quite unique, but generally the structure is almost the same.
Anyway, there are two common rules you should keep in mind:
- All Mods have to be placed into the Data Directory of your Game.
- The folder structure must be correct.
The Data Folder
The default path for DVD Versions is C: Program Files Bethesda Softworks Fallout 4 Data
You may have customised the install path to something else e.g. C: Games Fallout…
That’s why in some READMEs you’ll find the term “< install path > Fallout 4 Data ”
The default path for Steam Versions is C: Program Files Steam steamapps Common Fallout 4 Data
To avoid issues under Vista and Win7, the install location of Steam can be customised, see point #V .29 Installing Fallout
The Folder Structure
Many Mods only contain Plugins, others just Folders – usually you’ll find both.
Files that belong into the Data-Dir
- ESP = Elder Scrolls Plugin => Files with ending *.esp
- ESM = Elder Scrolls Master => Files with ending *.esm
- BSA = Bethesda Softworks Archive => Files with ending *.bsa (seldom part of user created Mods)
Folders that belong into Data-Dir
How To Install Mods On Fallout 4 Steam
- existing by default: Music, Shaders, Video
- added by yourself: Textures, Meshes, Sound
Don’t think too complicated, just copy & paste Plugins / Masterfiles and Folders like Textures, Meshes, Sound or Music as they are (with all its content) into the Data Folder.
If Windows tells you that such a folder already exists, overwrite.
2. To get Mods working
Many Mods (e.g. Body Replacer, Weapon Mod Kits, Armor Mods, etc) require something which is called “ArchiveInvalidation”. This is the process to recognise certain new files which have been placed into the Data folder.
-> It’s recommended to use the little tool ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated.
-> Unzip, run it, activate it
The whole Archive Invalidation will be done.
If you use another Method such as provided by FOMM or if you want to use your own customised ArchiveInvalidation.txt file
instead of AI-Invalidated, make sure that bInvalidateOlderFiles=0 is set to 1 in your Fallout.ini found in:
Windows-Start-Menu Documents My Games Fallout4
Finally check your G.E.C.K. Mods (*.esp) at your Fallout Launcher or use FOMM
Finished, Enjoy Fallout 4!
Installing Fallout 4
If you use Windows7 or Vista, it is highly recommended to install the game to another location than “Program Files” ( for example C: Games Fallout 4 ) to avoid problems with the security feature UAC.
Alternatively you could disable UAC, but this may lead to a less secure system, so be warned. For Steam versions there is hardly a way to customise the install dir. So you may need to go for the “disabling UAC” option – or install Steam to another location than “Program Files”
e.g. C:GamesSteam ….
Install the latest official Patch
Install the latest official Patch which fits to your game version. Note, that Steam and GotY versions should already be up-to-date.
=> If you get the xlive.dll error at start, see solution here: Games for Windows Live fix.
Backup your “clean” Data folder before installing Mods.
It saves time if something went wrong – especially if you installed Fallout 4 via Steam.
Recommendation
– Defragment your Hard Drives frequently
– Clean your Windows with CCleaner
Reinstalling Fallout 4
Every time you reinstall Fallout, it is recommended to do it as clean as possible. A “normal” reinstall wont work in every case properly.
1. Backup save games and your ArchiveInvalidation.txt file if you use one
2. Uninstall Fallout4 in your System Control (Software / Programs) or use a helper like the Revo Uninstaller
3. There are two Folders left: the Game Dir (with your Mods) & your “My Games” folder
-> delete or simply rename the Folders to backup
-> be careful with backed up data and avoid using old *.ini files
4. Clean Registry (CCleaner)
5. Reboot your System, to get all Registry changes applied
6. Go on with Point V) Installing Fallout
Where Have All the Savegames Gone?
You can play Fallout in two different ways: off-line or on-line via GfWL.
As soon as you switch between these two modes, if you install F.O.S.E. (which disables GfWL) or if you simply move your DLC files into the Data folder, you’ll consider your save games are “gone”. This happens because Fallout uses two slightly different locations to store the game saves in.
off-line:
If you want to continue your game on-line or off-line, simply copy the save games into the respective location.