Multiple Copies of the Game for Testing?

[HomicidalGrouse]

Is there a way that I can install FO4 onto another drive or into another folder so that I can test mods? I don't really want to test mods in my modded playthrough, but Steam doesn't really have an option for "install again in another location". Or does it?

[chucksteel]

You can install the game multiple times if you want.

1. Open steam App/Common
2. Re-name the Fallout4 folder to anything "Fallout4 - Clean" or "Fallout4 - Mods"
3. have steam varify the integrity of games cache, (Steam will not find the game and re-install it)
4. to change game folder just rename the one you want to use to just "Fallout4"

NMM and FO4edit will also see only the folder named "Fallout4" so you can have different mods in each game folder or just keep one clean. (you may need to adjust your load order when changing game folders)

[HomicidalGrouse]

Thanks.

[RS13]

You could also just use the profiling feature in NMM or Mod Organizer 2 to test mods on a clean game. MO2 actually allows difference profiles to have different saves which is super-handy.

[JonathanOstrus]

You can install the game multiple times if you want.

1. Open steam App/Common
2. Re-name the Fallout4 folder to anything "Fallout4 - Clean" or "Fallout4 - Mods"
3. have steam varify the integrity of games cache, (Steam will not find the game and re-install it)
4. to change game folder just rename the one you want to use to just "Fallout4"

NMM and FO4edit will also see only the folder named "Fallout4" so you can have different mods in each game folder or just keep one clean. (you may need to adjust your load order when changing game folders)

 

Good start but ya missed the appdata folder that contains the plugins list.

 

In Windows File Explorer in the folder location enter "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Fallout4". Backup/rename/copy the Plugins.txt somewhere. That's your load order file for your plugins. Make sure you put it back when you want to play your modded game, or atleast make sure your NMM or MO has some way of loading back a backup or something.

[greekrage]

IMHO

 

I think a

 

a) multiboot with 2 windows setups (different drive or partition each

 

or

 

b) virtual machines

 

 

In either case its much cleaner and more reliable to have a setup for testing and another for everyday use and gaming.

 

The reason i say this is because we all know that once you start installing/uninstalling mods your data folder becomes crap as do your ini files that you alter now and then to fix/add/change something so in a sense its NEVER gonna be a clean reference to test on just by switching profiles on the mod manager.

[damanding]

I know RS13 already suggested Mod Organizer 2, but I thought I'd explain why and how this is useful. I just switched to using Mod Organizer 2 instead of NMM today. It uses virtual file symlinks so it doesn't actually add *anything* to your Data folder. Because of that, you can run multiple profiles associated with different save games. So you can run a clean/unmodded profile with a clean/unmodded save game and a separate modded profile with it's own modded save game. Takes up less hard drive space because you aren't running two different copies of the game.

 

Initially if you're switching from NMM to MO2 you'll have quite a bit of work ahead of you. Backup your mod list and load order. Then uninstall *everything* from NMM. The reason for this is that NMM installs mods directly to the Data folder so when you first run MO2, it will see all those mods and they'll be considered "unmanaged" by MO2. Then you get the fun time of re-installing all your mods via MO2 to a profile that you've created and named something appropriate like "modded profile". Make sure load order is the same as it was in NMM. As long as all the mods are the same and in the same order, your existing save games should still work with MO2, mine worked just fine and I had well over 200 mods installed. The most important thing is that you always launch Fallout from MO2 (it has the option of creating a start menu or desktop icon), otherwise Fallout will launch without any mods since the mods are no longer actually in the Data folder.

 

You can then create a second profile named "unmodded profile" or something. Add no mods, it should only have the Fallout4.esm and any DLC esm files. Start a brand new game file that will then be linked to this profile. This becomes your clean save for testing. I used the console command to create two named save files. Right before you exit the vault and a second one after enabling the Sanctuary workshop since mods I'm currently working on require the workshop. You should probably also save one immediately on vault exit. I forgot to do that one myself. To console create named saves just type "Save Nameofsave" where Nameofsave is whatever you want to name your save file.

 

There are some minor setup details I didn't include like setting it up with your steam account, nexus account, pointing to the right file locations if you're not using steam defaults, and how you connect local save games to profiles in the profile management window. I had to do a bit of experimenting with the local save game settings in profile management to get it the way I wanted. I suggest googling for help if you need it.

[ReaperTai]

Does MO2 have an option to run f4se? And where do you get MO2? And can it install mods from zips or do you have to do the full manual install?

Edited January 11, 2017 by ReaperTai

[damanding]

Does MO2 have an option to run f4se? And where do you get MO2? And can it install mods from zips or do you have to do the full manual install?

Located here: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6194/?. I'm pretty sure it does handle F4SE, but I haven't started using F4SE yet, so I'm unsure of the setup. You can install mods from zip file or using the Nexus install button. Since I download all my mods manually I install from zip, but you can actually use the install with mod manager button on Nexus if you prefer. When you first setup MO2 it'll ask you if you want to enable that feature.

[Blinxys]

Not necro'ing this, no need to start new thread the problem is still a problem for many... Or, unanswered problems in the solution. :blush:

 

Am hearing some arguments for MO2 as @demanding has spelled out quite a bit.

To forgo FO4se is to miss where the action starts. :ermm:

 

It all still sounds intensive and unnerving though. :wacko:

 

 

For near equal effort, am leaning toward starting over with multiple user accounts in Windows something like this...

 

Edited from Addictive Tips :

 

STEPS
1) In order to install an app for a single user, it needs to be installed in the user’s AppData folder.
HINT: C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local
NOTE: This folder is normally hidden so make sure you have hidden folders set to be visible or you won’t be able to select it. Once the hidden items are set to be visible, run the app installer.

2) When you get to the install location screen, click the "Browse..." button and go to YOUR AppData folder.
2a. Enter the "Local" folder
2b. Create a "New Folder" inside "Local" for the new app.
NOTE: If you don’t create the folder, the app will be installed to the "Local" folder, (and that will leave you with a mess of files in it).

3) Proceed with the installation like normal.
HINT: When install is completed, the app will be added to the Apps’ list in the Start Menu, (if you chose to add one), and there will also be a new shortcut to the app on your desktop.

You can run the app like you normally would.

NOTE: In most cases, the app will run without any problems but if you have other apps that rely on it, it is possible they may not be able to find it since it is installed in an unconventional location. Keep that in mind when you choose to install an app for just a single user.

UNINSTALL
If you need to uninstall it, you can do so from the Control Panel.
Go to the uninstall programs screen, and the app you installed will be listed among the programs on the system. Select it, and click the Uninstall button.

 

Ideally, I'd like to edit/merge/test and integrate finished "cleaned" into finalized versions set around various themes/premises- while always having a "working/functional/LKG" version.

 

Anyone tried this? See any problems, or has anyone found a really streamlined way to run multiple setups? :huh:

 

EDIT:

---------------------------
Update: Have FINALLY had the opportunity to test this, and it actually works quite nicely.

 

New system, 2 users, 2 completely different fo4 installs (ini's,saves,localization,tools,scripts,data folder), and so forth. :dance:

(Steam sort of has an account conniption at first, but is easily settled by confirming your account info).

Its a redundant setup, but has huge organizational advantages (at least for me).

(Now, can do a: default/borderlands/starwars/superhero/test1/test2/test3, or whatever)

 

And yes, I know, this can be done with MO2 in one account, but now I don't need to use MO2,symlinks,meta.ini,virtual install directories and so forth.

Edited December 19, 2022 by Blinxys