Hello friends! In this guide, I will tell you how to install mods on Fallout 4 manually or automatically. Just strictly follow the instructions, and installing modifications will not cause you any problems.
Manual installation of mods for Fallout 4
Mods for Fallout 4 are divided into two types: resource mods and plugins. Resource mods are files and folders that must be placed in the “Data” folder in the root directory of the game. Plugins also need to be copied to this folder, however, they still need to be connected. Let's get started!
Installing resource mods on Fallout 4
The first thing you need to do is set up the game's configuration files for the mods to work. To do this, follow the following instructions:
- Go to folder C:\Users\Username\Documents\MyGames\Fallout4 and open the file with notepad Fallout4Prefs.ini.
Find the heading structure in this file and make sure it contains the line: bEnableFileSelection=1 If suddenly this line is not there, then enter it and save the file.
- Open the file with notepad Fallout4.ini, which is located in the same folder and find the design with the title .
- In this design, find the line sResourceDataDirsFinal=STRINGS\.
- Replace the found line with the following:
sResourceDataDirsFinal=STRINGS\, TEXTURES\, INTERFACE\, SOUND\, MUSIC\, VIDEO\, MESHES\, PROGRAMS\, MATERIALS\, LODSETTINGS\, VIS\, MISC\, SCRIPTS\, SHADERSFX\
- Save your changes and close the file.
Now you can from our website and install them into the game. The archive you downloaded may contain one or more folders. All resource mods are placed in the Data folder, which is located in the root directory of the game (where the Fallout4Launcher.exe file is located).
If you find the Data folder in the archive, then move it to the game folder and agree to replace the files if necessary. There may also be other folders in the archive (for example, Textures, Sound, Meshes and others) - they must be copied specifically to the DATA folder.
This completes the manual installation of resource mods. Let's figure out how to install plugins.
Installing ESP and ESM plugins for Fallout 4
Installing plugins is a little different from installing resource mods. In the archive with the mod you will find a file in esp or esm format. They need to be moved to a folder Fallout4\Data, just like resource mods. Now let's move on to connecting plugins:
- Find the file plugins.txt located at C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Fallout4.
Important! The AppData folder may be hidden by the system. To make this folder visible, do the following:
- Select "Control Panel" from the Start menu;
- Click on the “Folder Options” section;
- In the window that opens, go to the “View” tab;
- Scroll to the very bottom and check the box next to “Show hidden files, folders”;
- Click the Apply button.
- Right-click on the file and select “Properties”.
- Uncheck the "Read Only" box and click the "Apply" button.
- Open the file with notepad and immediately after the line Fallout4.esm, insert the full name of the downloaded mod with extension (for example, LongerPowerLines3x.esp).
- Save and close the file.
- Set the "Read Only" attributes for the plugins.txt file again
Video instructions for manual installation of mods:
That's all! You have learned how to install resource mods and plugins for Fallout 4 manually. It's time to talk about automatic installation.
Automatic installation of mods in Fallout 4
Installing mods using the Fallout 4 Mod Manager program is easy and simple. You don't have to manually make changes to configuration files - the program will do everything for you.
- Download from our website;
- Unpack the archive with the program and run the file Fallout4ModManager.exe;
- Click the “Install” button and select the archive with the mod on your computer;
- Click the “Install” button again, after which the mod will be automatically installed;
- Check the box next to the desired mod in the left window to activate it.
As you can see, automatic installation of mods for Fallout 4 is much easier than manual installation. All you need is to download the mod and specify the path to it in the program.
Guys and girls, I really hope that this guide helped you understand how to install mods on Fallout 4. Criticism and constructive suggestions in the comments are welcome.
I decided to write this instruction because every day I come across comments from people who have difficulty installing modifications..
Important! The latest patch is preventing you from connecting mods? There is a solution!
A) Update Nexus Mod Manager to version 0.61.3
or:
1) Open Nexus Mod Manager
2) Launch the game and wait for the launcher to launch.
3. Re-enable mods in Nexus Mod Manager
4) Click "Play"
Alternatively, you can enable mods and then set C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Fallout4\plugins.txt to read-only.
Step 1: Prepare for installation.
Until the official editor for Fallout 4 is released, we will not be able to enable modifications without these steps. So let's start with the following:
1. Open the My Documents/My Games/Fallout 4 folder
2. Inside you will see the Fallout4Prefs.ini and Fallout4Custom.ini (now this file, not Fallout4.ini)
3. Right-click on each of them and in the properties make sure that “read only” is not checked.
4. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini with any text editor (notepad will do)
At the very bottom of the file you will see a section. Just below it, paste the following text:
bEnableFileSelection=1
5. Save the file and close it.
6. Open Fallout4Custom.ini with any text editor
Find the following line:
7. Add (or correct) the following values
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal= This will allow Fallout 4 to use the resources in unpacked form (by default, all Fallout 4 resources are stored in ba2 archives.)
8. Save the file and close it. Now you can install modifications.
Step 2: Installing Mods
I highly recommend using Nexus Mod Manager to install and connect, but you can also use Mod Manager. However, please note that Mod Manager has been discontinued and NMM (Nexus Mod Manager) is the best option. At least until the release of the stable version of Mod Organizer, which I will also write about after its release.
Installing Nexus Mod Manager:
1. Download.
2. In the archive you will find 2 versions - an older one (for Windows XP) and a newer one, for all modern versions of Windows.
3. Install the version that suits you.
4. Launch the installed program. By default, it will scan your system for compatible games the first time. You can cancel the search for certain games, wait until the program completes the search, or independently select the folders of the games that you have installed. To confirm the found directories, click the green checkmark. After the installed games are selected (automatically or by manually specifying the game folder), click OK from below.
5. Select the desired game and click "OK".
6. Next you will see a program window with “plugins” and “mods” tabs with many categories. Don't be scared, it's not that scary. The plugins tab is designed to directly connect and disable already installed mods. The mods tab is for installing and removing them.
Types of modifications and installation:
1. Have you already downloaded the modification? Amazing! Let's take a quick excursion into what the resources and type of modifications can be:
Open the archive with 7z. Look what's inside.
- Several folders with several versions of the mod, no fomod folder - sorry guys, such a mod will have to be installed manually and then connected through the Plugins tab in the Nexus Mod Manager.
- A single esp or esm file or several such files in one folder - can be installed immediately via Nexus Mod Manager
- Any files, there is a fomod folder - this archive is ready for easy installation via Nexus Mod Manager
- Esp or esm and folders textures, meshes, interface or any of those that we registered in sResourceDataDirsFinals above - can be installed immediately via Nexus Mod Manager
Installation via NMM:
2. Install the modification. If the archive is ready to be installed via NMM, click the big green plus (add mod from file) and select the downloaded archive.
The name of the mod will appear in the list of modifications in one of the tabs. Select it and click the green checkmark on the left. If the author created a fomod installer, then you will see an installer window with an option like this:
If there is no installer, then the program will simply install the mod. On the bottom right you can see the installation status - the more mods, the longer the installation will take. Texture modifications weighing a gigabyte or more can take quite a long time to install.
3. If you installed a modification with esp or esm files, then you will see new entries in the “plugins” tab. If the modification did not contain esp or esm files, then nothing should appear in the list. The installed one should appear in the "data" folder. You can easily check this by finding the same folders with files from the mod archive in the "data" folder.
4. Everything is ready, you can play.
Manual installation:
1. Unpack the archive with the modification. Transfer the contents of the archive to the "Fallout 4/Data" folder. For example, your archive contains an esp file and a textures file. The esp file should be located at Fallout 4/Data, textures folder - also Fallout 4/Data
In this article I will tell you how to install mods (modifications and add-ons) for the game Fallout 4, I will list and clearly explain all the methods for installing mods, I will also describe several common problems and options for solving them. If you don’t know how to install mods but really want to play Fallout 4 with mods, read this article.
What is needed to install mods?
1) Installed game Fallout 4, it is advisable to know the version of the game, the list of installed DLCs. (the game version is displayed in the game menu - settings, bottom right)
2) It is advisable to have the latest or fresh version of the game.
3) Have installed (a program for opening archives).
Let's start installing mods:
Always carefully read the comments on the installation of each specific mod, many of them have certain features or nuances.
There are 2 ways to install mods on the game:
1) Automatic using the mod manager.
2) Manual.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons, some mods do not support the mod manager, other mods are more difficult and longer to install if installed manually.
Automatic installation via NMM manager:
1) Download and install2) Open C:\Users\your_pc_user\Documents\Fallout 4. (or C:\Users\your_pc_user\Documents\My Games\Fallout4)
3) Find the file Fallout4Prefs.ini
Finding the line
bEnableFileSelection =1
4) Save and close the document.
5) Open file Fallout4Custom.ini
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=
Save the file and close Notepad.
6) Read how to use, how to install mods using .
Manual installation of mods:
There are 2 types of mods, resource and plugin, mod files of both types must be copied to the \Fallout 4\Data folder, plugin mods have the extension esp or esm, they must be connected by writing their names in a specific file. (read how this is done below).1) Open C:\Users\your_pc_user\Documents\Fallout 4. (or C:\Users\your_pc_user\Documents\My Games\Fallout4)
2) Find the file Fallout4Prefs.ini using notepad or Notepad++ (recommended).
Finding the line
There should be a line immediately below it bEnableFileSelection =1, if the value is 0, change to 1, if there is no line, add.
3) Save and close the document.
4) Open file Fallout4Custom.ini, if this file does not exist, then create a text document called Fallout4Custom, change the txt extension to ini. (if not available, google how to enable the ability to change the file extension).
The file you should get is Fallout4Custom.ini (not Fallout4Custom.ini.txt).
Open it with notepad and write there
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=
5) Save the file and close Notepad.
6) Download mods from our website, each mod has specific explanations of which files to copy where and other actions that need to be performed.
Enabling (connecting) plugins:
After you have done all the instructions above, you downloaded the mod files themselves, copied them according to the installation instructions in each news. if the file has an extension esp or esm then you should do the following:For modern versions of the game (from 1.5):
Go into the game, select the modification section:
You will probably have to register on the bethesda website, this is removed in some pirated repacks.
Choose Loading order Select the desired mod in the menu on the left, click activate.
Ready.
If you have an old version of the game (before official support for mods):
1) Open the folder
C:\Users\your_pc_user\AppData\Local\Fallout4
If you can't find the AppData folder in the C:\Users\your_user_pc\, This means you have disabled the display of hidden folders and files.
You can enable display, .
Or press START - enter %APPDATA%\ in the search bar (Win7), you will be taken to the \AppData\Roaming folder, click on AppData
2) Find the file plugins.txt, right-click on it, select properties.
Uncheck " only for reading".
3) Click the Apply button and OK.
4) Open the file with notepad, immediately after the line Fallout4.esm you need to insert the full name of the downloaded mod with the extension, for example LooksMenu.esp
5) Save the file, right-click on the file again, properties, and set the " attribute again Only reading".
Ladies and gentlemen, I know very well that true craftsmen have already found a solution to this problem, but I have not found a clear sequence of actions. The four do not want to accept the fashions they installed themselves in any way as they are.
The topic was created for people like me, who are completely ignorant of this witchcraft, settings and Nexus Mod Manager. Here I will tell my story of the war with .ini extension files, and in the process I will try to put together a new algorithm for installing modifications.
Faced with the fact that using an account on Steam was becoming expensive (I won’t mention the details), I had to download the pirated version. My license, crippled by incorrectly installed ENB and modifications, was successfully demolished, and version 15 was installed in its place. Deciding not to waste time on trifles, along with the repack I installed the entire three DLCs, patching everything that was possible.
Having launched the game to check its functionality, I was ready to see: “There is not a single mod, screw it, your fancy settlements will be demolished when loading a save.” Indeed, most of the modifications were not activated. Except for the ill-fated Safe SSEx. For some unknown reason, he was alive and well, although he was not listed in the “modifications” tab. Nothing flew out. Everything worked.
However, all the other modifications that I reinstalled did not want to work. We had to conduct an investigation.
I will not describe in detail all my attempts to combine the necessary lines so that the game understands me. But in the end, I succeeded. The reason was incredibly simple, it seems to me.
So here it is. When reinstalling the game, the "plugins" file was slightly overwritten. Instead of Fallout4.esm, the game wrote something like:
* This is a leaflet for plugins, we respectfully ask you in English not to touch it, blah blah blah *
Do you see these stars? SSEx worked because it was the first mod in the order of loading, and came exactly after them:
Blah blah * SSEX.esp
During the investigation, the inscription along with the asterisks was destroyed, and the game also destroyed SSEx. Fortunately, everything has now been restored. The game also added SSEx to the DLC list. I don’t know when I did it, but everything works and I’m happy.
Considering the initial requirements for installing modifications, what we have at the moment:
1. In the Fallout4Prefs file, in the “Launcher” column, the line “bEnableFileSelection=1” (without quotes) is written. This has not changed.
2. In the Fallout 4 folder (...Folder with username/AppData/Local/Fallout 4) we have two files: plugins and dlc-list. Personally, I (see screenshot No. 1) have duplicated mod files in both places. I don't know how important this is.
3. And finally, PUT THOSE FUCKING STARKS AT THE BEGINNING when you write mod names in the plugin list!
Two installed working mods:
As confirmation, here is a screenshot of a working mod against the background of buildings from the latest addition:
I really hope that the information provided will be useful to someone. If anyone would like to add something, you are welcome.)
How to install mods for Fallout 4.
Preparatory stage- done once and for all:
1. Open the folder: drive C: Users (or Users) > %Username% > Documents > My Games > Fallout4 - it should contain several ini files.
There SHOULD NOT be any changes in the Fallout4.ini file - they are for older versions of the game! This will lead to incorrect operation of mods (using archive.BA2, flash animation files, etc.)
2. Highlight Fallout4Custom.ini and Fallout4Prefs.ini, open the properties and make sure that the “daw” is NOT set to “Read Only”.
3. Open the Fallout4Prefs.ini file using a text editor and find the category right below this line and add the following:
bEnableFileSelection=1
4. Save the change and close the file.
5. Open the Fallout4Custom.ini file and add the following lines to it:
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=
6. Save the change and close the file. Open both files again and check if the changes you made are saved. At this point the preparatory stage is over, you can proceed directly to the installation.
Installing the mod.
1. Through the NMM (Nexus Mod Manager) program:
If the mod installation specifies installation via NMM, download the mod:
- open the NMM program;
- click the big green + and in the window that opens, specify the archive that is indicated for installation in the mod description.
But, NMM is just a utility and it may make mistakes when installing a mod (not all mod files are copied into the game).
Therefore, if the mod does not work after installation via NMM, it must be installed manually.
2.Installing the mod manually:
1. Unpack the archive with the mod
(to unpack .7z archives - use a ZIP archiver.
- to unpack .Rar archives - use WinRar archiver);
Find the Data folder and move it with all its contents to the “Fallout 4” game folder, BE SURE to confirm the replacement of folders and files.
2. Make visible - hidden folders:
On Windows 7:
in "Folder Options": make visible - hidden folders: 
On Windows 8 and Windows 10:
- open any folder:
- in the title: “View” - put a checkmark on “Hidden elements”
3. Open the file along the path: drive C: Users (or Users) > %Username% > AppData > Local > Fallout4 > plugins.txt
4. Make sure that in the properties of the plugins.txt file The "daw" is NOT set to "Read Only".
5. Add a line to it, under the other .esp files:
*file name mod.esp
* - before the file name we put MANDATORY! 
6. Save the changes to the file, again go to the properties of the plugins.txt file and now BE SURE TO CHECK “Read Only” and save.
That's all - let's play.