Enabling File Extensions

Before we start, it is important to enable file extensions in Windows.

By default, File Explorer will not show file extensions (such as .exe, .dll, or .esp). These extensions are very important when going through the guide, so it is highly recommended to enable visible file extensions:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select the View tab at the top.
3. Enable File name extensions in the Show section.

Choosing a Location

A clean installation is not only required to get rid of any potential leftover mod files, but also to make sure the game is installed in a safe location. Here is what you need to know when choosing where to install your game:

• Avoid any default Windows folders: This includes but is not limited to C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files x86, your Desktop and your Documents folders.
  This is because users lack write access to Program Files, while Desktop and Documents are often managed by OneDrive. This can cause many issues with the game and any modding tools.
  
  An example of a safe location is C:\Games
• Install on an SSD if possible: Having the game on an SSD will drastically improve loading times and decrease stuttering.

Uninstalling the Game

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Find Fallout 4 in the list.
3. Right-click on it and select Manage -> Uninstall.
4. Navigate to Steam\steamapps\common and, if present, delete the Fallout 4 folder.
5. Navigate to Documents\My Games\Fallout 4 and delete all INI files inside it.

Creating a new Steam library

1. Completely exit out of Steam using Task Manager or System Tray.
2. Download the steam_library_setup_tool-3.2.exe file from here.
3. Once downloaded, run the file and add a new entry by clicking Add Row.
4. Type the chosen path under Path, e.g. C:\Games\Steam
5. Click Accept then Yes if prompted to create a new folder.
6. The tool will ask to exit, select OK.

Installing the Game

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Find Fallout 4 in the list and select Install.
3. Under Install to:, select the library folder created with the tool, which is the second C:\ entry if you are installing on the main drive.

4. Select Next then wait for the install to finish.

Key Terminology

Now that the game is installed, there are two folders from it that will be referred to in the guide often:

• Root folder: Where the game is installed.

Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 4

• Data folder: Where all of the game's assets are located.

Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 4\Data

Disabling Automatic Steam Updates

This will prevent Steam from automatically installing Fallout 4 updates, which will break modding support considerably until they gain wide modding support (and the guide's).

1. In your Steam Library, right-click on Fallout 4, and click on Properties in the resulting context menu.
2. In the resulting new window, click on the drop-down at the top of the right pane underneath Automatic Updates.
3. Set it to "Only update this game when I launch it".

Since MO2 bypasses Steam's "play" button, Fallout 4 will never automatically update because you will launch the game through MO2.

Generating Fresh INI Files

1. Run the game from Steam, or through Fallout 4Launcher.exe in the game files if you are using an offline copy.
2. Click OK to both pop-ups that say Detecting Video Hardware.
• If there aren't any pop-ups, navigate to Documents\My Games\Fallout 4 and delete all INI files, then retry.
3. Click OK then Exit.

Fixing High DPI Scaling

1. Right-click on Fallout4.exe in the Root folder.
2. Open properties and navigate to the Compatibility tab.
3. Click on Change high DPI settings.
4. Set High DPI scaling override to Application.