Can I delete mods from the download folder once they've been installed to the staging folder?

[DrEvazan]

I was wondering why my Vortex folder was so big then realized that all my mods are effectively downloaded twice on my hard drive, once in the download folder as compressed files and again in the staging folder uncompressed.

 

So... Do I need the compressed files to remain in the download folder or can I get rid of them? my mods are taking up twice the space they should be. :/

[jorgenk1974]

you need the compressed files, everytime you install your mods if you for example buy a new gamerig/console, you don't want to go through the web to find the mods you wanted to use. 1 because mods can be deleted by the author and 2 it is a very tedious task to find the mods you wanted to use... my advice is put the downloaded files on a different drive or an external harddrive. Consider also that sometimes tho unintentionally you may use mods that are incompatible with other mods, and ruin your game. So you need both

[DrEvazan]

you need the compressed files, everytime you install your mods if you for example buy a new gamerig/console, you don't want to go through the web to find the mods you wanted to use. 1 because mods can be deleted by the author and 2 it is a very tedious task to find the mods you wanted to use... my advice is put the downloaded files on a different drive or an external harddrive. Consider also that sometimes tho unintentionally you may use mods that are incompatible with other mods, and ruin your game. So you need both

I was thinking the same thing about moving them to an external drive I have. So just to be clear, Vortex doesn't require the compressed files for the game and mods to function properly, right? Does that mean I can safely relocate them without anything bad happening?

[DoctorKaizeld]

Just leave them where they are. Vortex needs them

[jorgenk1974]

 

you need the compressed files, everytime you install your mods if you for example buy a new gamerig/console, you don't want to go through the web to find the mods you wanted to use. 1 because mods can be deleted by the author and 2 it is a very tedious task to find the mods you wanted to use... my advice is put the downloaded files on a different drive or an external harddrive. Consider also that sometimes tho unintentionally you may use mods that are incompatible with other mods, and ruin your game. So you need both

I was thinking the same thing about moving them to an external drive I have. So just to be clear, Vortex doesn't require the compressed files for the game and mods to function properly, right? Does that mean I can safely relocate them without anything bad happening?

 

Once you installed the mods in the virtual folder, then yes Vortex don't need them anymore to function. You only need the compressed files when you install and test your game.. but when that is done, then no Vortex don't need them anymore... just don't delete the files... believe me, you will regret that

[rmm200]

Some of our users very successfully damage their mod files. The fix there is the "Reinstall" button, which does require the Download file.

So if you are really good at not making mistakes - the Downloads are not needed after install.