Vista 64-bit UAC/Program Files and Fallout 3

[Rangoon]

How important is it to install Fallout 3 somewhere other than Program Files? I have read all over the net that (if using mods especially) Fallout 3 should be installed outside the Program Files folder since UAC can cause problems. I have a Steam GOTY edition and since long ago I had allowed Steam to install to Program Files, that's where it is.

 

Generally I have not had problems with UAC as long as I run games "As Administrator." I'm using FOMM and FOSE, so I launch FOMM, then choose Launch FOSE to run Fallout 3. I have both of those programs, plus Fallout 3 set to Run as Admin. So will I have problems using mods in this situation? I don't think any mod or the game tries to modify files within the Fallout 3 directory once they've been installed/added. So why should this be an issue? Yet that advice is everywhere.

 

I'm considering switching to Windows 7 64-bit but have not yet made that decision (have the OS, just haven't made the switch). This would be a good opportunity to start installing all of my games to a different location, but until then I'm not going to switch all of my Steam games (since you can't just install one someplace else - they all have to go in the Steam folder, wherever that is told to be). I don't mind uninstalling/reinstalling one game, but not messing with that whole batch.

 

So is it important to make this change? Or just keep doing what I'm doing with Run as Admin and assume all will be well?

 

Thanks!

[bben46]

If you are comfortable with the UAC turned off and having to run everything as administrator there is no reason to change.

 

UAC adds an extra level of protection to the programs installed in the program files folders. And gives a warning whenever something tries to make a change there. If the change is not something you initiated it can save you from problems caused by a drive by virus installer or trojan sending your financial info to Russia, China or Nigeria. (or even that obnoxious hacker kid down the street)

 

There is no need for a game to be installed in this heavily protected zone. Especially a game that is going to be modded. By installing outside of the UAC protected Program files folders, you can leave the UAC protection in place while modding as much as you want with no hassle.

[Rangoon]

If you are comfortable with the UAC turned off and having to run everything as administrator there is no reason to change.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I actually do have UAC turned on. I guess the reason I started running things as administrator was because at one point I had turned UAC off for a week or two, then turned it back on. I think some things had issues then because of the Virtual Store Directory (which at the time I didn't understand). By turning UAC back on, some files which had been written/modified while UAC was off were no longer accessible. Also I read that if you install something with UAC turned off, then turn it on again there can be problems - that may have been it (this was over a year ago). At any rate, I've come across a number of situations where I've set the "Run as Admin" toggle to solve an issue.

 

So I'm wondering then - is there a way to confidently use mods in FO3 with UAC on and just Run as Admin? Or do I need to either turn UAC off or change the install path? If there are problems of this nature will it be obvious? Or could it be hard to detect?

[Ashangel]

UAC is is junk, be it in vista or windows 7, the best advice is to turn it off and leave it off. It is uneccessary and in almost every case the single biggest cause of problems on those operating systems. XP doesnt have it and is a far more stable operating system, I don't just say this on a whim, I have extensive experience of all 3 OS.

 

If you have windows 7 I recomend installing asap so you can make Fallout 3 "large address aware" using the 3GB enabler that can be found on the download part of this site, it really does make a difference as windows 7 doesnt have that 3.2GB limitation no matter how much ram is installed.

 

If you have a good AV like Avast or something (Norton is junk as is Mcaffee) with Real time protection, then UAC and Windows defender (a joke that really isnt funny microsoft...) are surplus to requirements and will only slow your system down and cause problems.

 

I had your problem and grew tired of the issues so I backed up my saves and reinstalled mods and all with UAC Turned Off, and suprise suprise my problems were solved. So when I Got windows 7 the very first thing I did was turn it of before installing anything.

 

UAC is just another example of Microsoft messing with stuff they dont need to, more than likely so they can sell you the bug fixes for it, if that sounds cynical, it is. It stems from many years of banging my skull against a wall because some programming numpty had delusions of adequacy.

 

But really if you haven't yet installed W7 DO, it is the operating system (UAC,Defender and action center aside, turn them off) that Vista promised to be and should have been. they seem to have taken a leaf from Apples book of operating design and it is all the better for it.

 

Sorry for the long rant, but I hope to save you from many future headaches.