tgroover42 Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I could greatly use some help and hints with mods. Really anything helpful would be nice, I'm new to this. So if you'd please show me the ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rennn Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) When you download a file, it'll be in one of three common formats (most likely): .zip.rar.7z You can't do anything with these right away. First, download a nice free program called 7zip. Search for it on Google if you don't have it, then return here. Once you have 7zip, use it to open any of the three file formats I mentioned (.zip, .rar, or .7z). You'll want to use the 'extract' or 'unzip' option that you'll probably get when you right click (or double-click) on the file. Extract them to a temporary location (I just keep them in my Downloads folder on win7, but you can put them wherever you want.) Once they're extracted, they'll have three main things inside (most of the time). It's important to read the mod author's readme document if they included one, since it will give more specific instructions. Those three main things are: .esp filesa Meshes foldera Textures folder Not every mod will have all of these components, and some will have more, but these are the most common. .esp files go right inside your Skyrim \ Data folder. Meshes and Textures folders also go inside your Data folder, and if your computer asks if you want to overwrite or merge anything just click 'yes' or 'allow' or whatever the affirmative option is. To activate .esps you need to run your Skyrim launcher, click on Data Files, and make sure the .esp has a check mark in the box near it.That should cover installation. Making mods is more complex, and not really possible for most new people until the Creation Kit comes out this month. IMPORTANT!!If you're not absolutely certain you can install a mod correctly, back up your entire Skyrim folder (just copy the whole folder somewhere) before you try! That will make your life soooo much easier in the future, since most people install at least one thing wrong at some point. Edited January 14, 2012 by Rennn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosemoose Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 If you do not feel like installing the mods manually you could always try using the Nexus Mod Manager. If you download a mod off of this site through the mod manager it should open and show you the download progress. When it is done, the mod will be added to a fairly simplified list either under the Plugins or Mods tab and sorted. All you have to do then is download the mods you would like, and activate them (if they aren't already) by clicking the checkbox beside the mod. On the other hand, if you install the mods manually just be sure to read the "readme" that usually comes with the download. Most of the modders are fairly helpful in explaining how to install their mod. Lastly, you should also always check the description of a mod to see if it is incompatible with a mod you already have or plan on getting as it will most likely save you a headache later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rennn Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) The mod managers are usually reliable, but they sometimes cause weird bugs too. :\ Edited January 14, 2012 by Rennn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgroover42 Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 (edited) Every time I have tried the manager nothing has happened that I've noticed. Am I doing something wrong? Edited January 15, 2012 by tgroover42 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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