Moved game from SSD(C:) to HDD (D:) now mods no longer install properly

[ravenstorm767]

the game i was modding was monster hunter world, installed on my C: drive SSD and i had to make room for a new game so i backed it up and restored it on my D: drive which is an HDD.

normally when a mod is installed it shows up on the "nativepc" folder but despite the mods being marked as installed on vortex the nativepc folder remains empty as if it was still the vanilla game. ive also noticed vortex keeps asking me to elevate (which i click yes to) every time i install or uninstall the mods. which i dont remember it did when the game was installed on the previous folder.

[VulcanTourist]

Vortex uses NTFS filesystem hardlinks to deploy mods. Those hardlinks ONLY work when the destination - the game - for the hardlink is the same drive/volume as the the source - the Vortex staging folder. This is not a "guideline", it's a Law of Nature. Nature, in this case the filesystem, doesn't like it when its laws are broken.

 

When you copy or move directories full of hardlinks to another volume, the filesystem tries to compensate for this pointer dereferencing by COPYING the original files to the destination. The hardlinks, which are extra pointers to the files stored in the staging folder, are now replaced by NEW FILES which Vortex no longer manages. The staged files are safe and unaffected by this, but the state of the game is now beyond the control of Vortex because of this Law being broken.

 

Unless you're a wizard and can surgically remove every last one of the duplicated files from the game directories and not miss a single one, you have one means to resolve this: reinstall the game from scratch. This means uninstalling, DELETING the game's main directory, and then reinstalling the game.

 

Then, after you're done sanitizing the game, you will have have to also relocate the Vortex staging folder (Settings | Mods) to the same drive where you've moved this game. If you're using Vortex to manage any other games, the domino effect applies and you'll be forced to move ALL the managed games to the same drive. BEFORE you move them, though, don't repeat your original mistake: use the PURGE button in the Mods tab for each game to remove the hardlinks, and only then move the games. Once you've moved them, Vortex will have to be told of their new locations in the Games tab ("+" button to Show Details).

 

When you're done with all that, a simple re-Deployment for each game will restore them to the managed (modded) state.

[VulcanTourist]

(I need to start boilerplating these replies here, or my fingers will start to bleed.)

[HadToRegister]

(I need to start boilerplating these replies here, or my fingers will start to bleed.)

 

 

I have a TXT file, with everything I need in it, such as SKSE installation Instructions etc, that I can just copy and paste for a response.

 

It saves me a LOT of typing

[VulcanTourist]

(I need to start boilerplating these replies here, or my fingers will start to bleed.)

I have a TXT file, with everything I need in it, such as SKSE installation Instructions etc, that I can just copy and paste for a response.

 

It saves me a LOT of typing

For Reddit I've been abusing its Save feature so far, but I think I'm fast approaching the point where I'll have to adapt your approach for both. I've been resisting because, so far, situations have been similar but just different enough that I felt compelled to write specific responses for each. You've been doing this for how long, though? You've likely seen identical issues plenty of times.