Requesting feature to move "user-data" to a different folder/drive

[zenxzen]

So the user-data folder is where vortex stores downloads and other data. This folder can get huge if running multiple modded games. That being said there is no way inside vortex to change where this folder is located. The only way to change it is to crate a .bat file to start vortex:

cd /d "C:\Program Files\Black Tree Gaming Ltd\Vortex"
vortex.exe --user-data "F:\Vortex Data" --max-memory 8192 --inspector

pause

I use this to change vortex's user-data to another drive to free up space. Considering the amount of mods and games supported and thus the amount of storage space this folder can take: I would like to see this as a native option in the settings of vortex rather then having to launch with a .bat file.

[ChemBoy1]

Yes, there is a way to change it. You can set the downloads folder globally and the staging folder for each game. In the Vortex settings. You cannot miss it.

I recommend you use the setting to automatically set the staging folder to the same drive as the game. 

 

[showler]

You can change where downloads is located and you can change where the staging folder is located.  This moves the vast, vast majority of the data out of that folder.  The remaining is too small to worry about such a feature.

[zenxzen]

  On 4/24/2025 at 8:35 PM, showler said:

You can change where downloads is located and you can change where the staging folder is located.  This moves the vast, vast majority of the data out of that folder.  The remaining is too small to worry about such a feature.

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That is for Downloads only not the entire data folder or cache data or profiles.  Moving everything all at once for all data stored so it is in a single folder should be a thing. If I have to format my OS drive for any reason no part of vortex should have to be wiped.... A single setting to say 'this is where vortex puts all files' would not be hard. Case in point with the .bat file. This is what is in the folders in that user data folder below. There is very important data in that folder that is not included in the downloads or mod staging area including preferences and settings not only for vortex but for the games vortex is modding. I was not aware of the change to the downloads area but not being able to simply move everything seems a bit odd if it can be done.

 

 

 

 

[ChemBoy1]

No. Virtually all the storage space is in downloads and mod staging folders. The rest are basically just text files and take a minimum amount of space.

What you are requesting will never be implemented.

Just set up the folder to be synced to cloud storage or a second hard drive or something if you want a backup. Which is all the more reason to separate out the downloads and staging folders to minimize backup size. 

There are multiple ways you can export your installed mods as a way to backup as well. 

[zenxzen]

  On 4/25/2025 at 12:27 PM, ChemBoy1 said:

No. Virtually all the storage space is in downloads and mod staging folders. The rest are basically just text files and take a minimum amount of space.

What you are requesting will never be implemented.

Just set up the folder to be synced to cloud storage or a second hard drive or something if you want a backup. Which is all the more reason to separate out the downloads and staging folders to minimize backup size. 

There are multiple ways you can export your installed mods as a way to backup as well. 

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Why will it never be implemented when it can clearly be set in CMD? All that would need to be added is a restart to vortex on custom folder change much like the user and system modes it already has. There is no reason for it to not be implemented and certainly no reason for someone who is not a dev to say it will never happen.

[ChemBoy1]

"Someone who is not a dev" lol.

You are more than welcome to add the feature yourself. Vortex is open source software. No one is going to spend dev time on this "feature". 

Have at it: https://github.com/Nexus-Mods/Vortex

[Pickysaurus]

We don't recommend or support it, but you can use a launch argument to achieve this: https://github.com/Nexus-Mods/Vortex/wiki/MODDINGWIKI-Users-Troubleshooting-Command-Line-Parameters

[zenxzen]

  On 4/28/2025 at 12:29 PM, Pickysaurus said:

We don't recommend or support it, but you can use a launch argument to achieve this: https://github.com/Nexus-Mods/Vortex/wiki/MODDINGWIKI-Users-Troubleshooting-Command-Line-Parameters

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I know about the command line arguments. What I am wondering is why has it not been implemented in the multi-user mode settings? Adding a dropdown with custom then implementing a text box for folder location in the GUI would not be difficult. The function to change where the folder is already exists inside the application there is just no GUI to access it.

[showler]

Probably because there's no demand for it.  If you're worried about wiping your OS and don't want to have a backup, you can always use the Windows function to move your entire User folder.