Should I install Fallout outside the programs files?

[Blorbis83]

I want to use the FROST mod and it says I should have Fallout 4 installed outside the Programs files. I currently have an SSD and Steam is installed within Program(x86). Is this really necessary, and will I need to make a fresh install of Steam for me to run any sort of mod??

[Azure Fang]

Yes. Program Files (x86) is a "controlled folder". Controlled folders were intended to prevent malware by limiting certain actions applications may perform from within a protected location, but this protection is greatly diminished by the fact that applications can be installed nearly anywhere on a system.

Certain memory access requirements by some mod installers, such as FROST or the System Shock 2 patcher, cannot be performed on a controlled folder. So, if a mod you're installing specifically says you need the game to be outside of Program Files (x86) to properly install, then you need to be outside of Program Files (x86) to properly install.

Alternatively, you could change Controlled Folder Access settings, but this isn't recommended. As minor as this protection scheme is, reducing its reach is an unnecessary risk when you could just install the game elsewhere.

[mikk011]

Yes. Windows UAC has a history on interfering with modded games and modding tools attempting to write to Programs(x86).

Moving things is a fairly straightforward cut and paste operation. This video covers the how and why.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t&ei=UTF-8&p=gamerpoet+moving+a+steam+installation#action=view&id=2&vid=8919a5b04722d5c3ea2824d6ff30b5b4

I recommend watching the whole video, though the steps to move Steam when you only have a single installed drive begin around timestamp 2:10.

After moving Steam, if you are using a mod manager, LOOT, xedit, or any other tools, you will need to update all their settings to account for the new location.

[Azure Fang]

Originally posted by mikk011:

Yes. Windows UAC has a history on interfering with modded games and modding tools attempting to write to Programs(x86).

Moving things is a fairly straightforward cut and paste operation. This video covers the how and why.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t&ei=UTF-8&p=gamerpoet+moving+a+steam+installation#action=view&id=2&vid=8919a5b04722d5c3ea2824d6ff30b5b4

I recommend watching the whole video, though the steps to move Steam when you only have a single installed drive begin around timestamp 2:10.

After moving Steam, if you are using a mod manager, LOOT, xedit, or any other tools, you will need to update all their settings to account for the new location.

A note on this: If a video guide ever recommends drag-and-dropping Steam or any game in the library, dislike it and move on. Steam sets a number of variables in Windows Registry, for irself and the games it installs, that will become brokwn and lead to issues if you just drag Steam or an installed game somewhere else.

You have the 25+ badge. At your library size, it's probably going to be the most convenient to just back up your games, uninstall Steam, then reinstall in the new location and restore the backups. Alternatively, if you have a second internal drive, just create a new library folder and have Steam move your games there, minus any older titles that don't play nice on a non-C drive (looking at YOU Wizardry 8).

EDIT: That said, you don't own FO4 on Steam. What version are you even playing?

[mikk011]

Video is basically an updated version of how Steam tells you to do it.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129&l=

[Blorbis83]

Originally posted by Azure Fang:

Originally posted by mikk011:

Yes. Windows UAC has a history on interfering with modded games and modding tools attempting to write to Programs(x86).

Moving things is a fairly straightforward cut and paste operation. This video covers the how and why.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t&ei=UTF-8&p=gamerpoet+moving+a+steam+installation#action=view&id=2&vid=8919a5b04722d5c3ea2824d6ff30b5b4

I recommend watching the whole video, though the steps to move Steam when you only have a single installed drive begin around timestamp 2:10.

After moving Steam, if you are using a mod manager, LOOT, xedit, or any other tools, you will need to update all their settings to account for the new location.

A note on this: If a video guide ever recommends drag-and-dropping Steam or any game in the library, dislike it and move on. Steam sets a number of variables in Windows Registry, for irself and the games it installs, that will become brokwn and lead to issues if you just drag Steam or an installed game somewhere else.

You have the 25+ badge. At your library size, it's probably going to be the most convenient to just back up your games, uninstall Steam, then reinstall in the new location and restore the backups. Alternatively, if you have a second internal drive, just create a new library folder and have Steam move your games there, minus any older titles that don't play nice on a non-C drive (looking at YOU Wizardry 8).

EDIT: That said, you don't own FO4 on Steam. What version are you even playing?

Oh I'm thinking of getting the game once the spring sale comes up! Thanks for the advice btw!

[Azure Fang]

Originally posted by Blorbis83:

Originally posted by Azure Fang:

A note on this: If a video guide ever recommends drag-and-dropping Steam or any game in the library, dislike it and move on. Steam sets a number of variables in Windows Registry, for irself and the games it installs, that will become brokwn and lead to issues if you just drag Steam or an installed game somewhere else.

You have the 25+ badge. At your library size, it's probably going to be the most convenient to just back up your games, uninstall Steam, then reinstall in the new location and restore the backups. Alternatively, if you have a second internal drive, just create a new library folder and have Steam move your games there, minus any older titles that don't play nice on a non-C drive (looking at YOU Wizardry 8).

EDIT: That said, you don't own FO4 on Steam. What version are you even playing?

Oh I'm thinking of getting the game once the spring sale comes up! Thanks for the advice btw!

Ah, got it. Yeah, if you want to pre-prep and save yourself future headaches, un/reinstall Steam now and set its install folder to something outside of the controlled folders, like plain ol' "C:\Steam". That way, if you get other games with involved modding scenes or histories (like the previously mentioned System Shock 2), you won't run into this problem ever again.

[Zekiran]

Get a dedicated drive for Steam and its games. You'll fill it anyway.

[mikk011]

Originally posted by Zekiran:

Get a dedicated drive for Steam and its games. You'll fill it anyway.

This^^ If your computer and your finances can manage it, putting your Steam, games, and tools on a second internal drive makes a lot of things easier.