How Do I Actually Install Mods Now?

[Lord Griswold]

I haven't played Skyrim in years, but I remember being able to just cut and paste .ESP files into Skyrim's Data folder and then select them in the Load Order menu in game. The Load Order menu is gone and seems to have been replaced with "Creations". I can access my load order from the Creations menu, but there's nothing in there even though I can clearly see my mod files in the Skyrim Data folder on my computer. Did Bethesda just disable all non unpaid mods or something, or am I missing something?

[Lord Griswold]

I also have a bunch of Creations that it says I own, but none of them appear in my load order, and I can't enable them...

[Sairek Ceareste]

No, third party mods are not disabled.

It's easier to just use a mod loader. It makes it much, much more simple and much faster to mod. Vortex is more user friendly and basic for 'plug and play', while "Mod Organizer 2" offers more options and flexibility to fine-tune your load order.

[Lord Griswold]

Is there a way to install mods without a mod loader? I know it sounds stupid, but I like installing mods manually.

[Detective Dank™]

Ive been modding skyrim for a few years now and Ive never even tried installing manually. Even if you have one or two mods its much safer and easier to use a mod loader.

[Sairek Ceareste]

Originally posted by Lord Griswold:

Is there a way to install mods without a mod loader? I know it sounds stupid, but I like installing mods manually.

There is a manual method, but it's kind of like trying to eat a bowl of cereal with your bare hands instead of using a spoon. Yeah, you can eat cereal with your barehands but there is literally no reason to do it. It's inefficient and messy. In this case, the cereal is Skyrim, the milk is the mods, and the spoon is the modloader.

The mod loaders are much more efficient, easier to do, can automatically adjust the load order in a method that works 95% of the time (and asks you if it doesn't know, so there is no conflicts), and have far less chance of something breaking and going wrong. Mods can be installed or temporary disabled with just a couple of clicks, and you can set up profiles for multiple playthroughs and switch between them with a press of a button.

[Mechanical]

Originally posted by Lord Griswold:

Is there a way to install mods without a mod loader? I know it sounds stupid, but I like installing mods manually.

Please don't do this, you'll run into so many issues. You'll hate yourself. You'll hate us. You'll hate.

[SpeedFreak1972]

The problems start when you remove mods that are manually installed especially mods that overwrite each other especially complicated mods with an installer with lots of options.

[Alex]

Originally posted by Lord Griswold:

Is there a way to install mods without a mod loader? I know it sounds stupid, but I like installing mods manually.

You can. Throw everything into the Skyrim's data folder, and enable them using the in-game mod menu. It'll be a bit difficult, since modern mods aren't meant for this, and you'll need to disassemble their internal folder structure first, but it's certainly possible.

Of course, that's just asking for all kinds of problems, but we can't stop you, can we now. You'll either come to your senses and begin using a mod manager, or... no, wait, there's no other option, actually. So why not download Mod Organizer 2 right from the beginning?

[Jennaiii]

Best bet is using Vortex. My friend had to show me how to MOD Skyrim and it was the easiest way to.

[Alex]

Originally posted by Jennaiii:

Best bet is using Vortex. My friend had to show me how to MOD Skyrim and it was the easiest way to.

After using both Vortex and Mod Organizer 2, I can recommend MO2. Vortex is only useful as a supplement for a nexus premium subscription.

[smr1957]

You might find it helpful to read this, Lord Griswold - it has links to everything you need to get a modded game up and running:

Advice to New Players Regarding Modding the Game
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/3780246026239478835/

Link is in the For Those New to Modding the Game section of the following
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2882241414
from the PINNED TOPIC Helpful Links and References

As regards possible issues due to the latest update, see this:
The latest 1.6.1130 and 1.6.1170 update and guide - https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/4031350196521219646/

Good luck!

[GravithX]

Originally posted by Lord Griswold:

Is there a way to install mods without a mod loader? I know it sounds stupid, but I like installing mods manually.

you can do that and copy the files in manually since you see if you unpack the mod in which folders it would be installed BUT..... the point is that it will horrible hard to uninstall them in the case of incompatibility and other errors. you would have to delete every single file by hand and some mods come with hundreds of files so..... have fun lol (since a lot mods use MOD installer files...they structured different and you cannot easily install them manually because they not show you the file structure in which they should be copied in. my advice, use vortex if you want to go easy or use Mod manager if you want to go professional. (i go professional on vortex but its complicated.)

[ĿIFE oƒ ƤIE]

Originally posted by Alex:

Originally posted by Jennaiii:

Best bet is using Vortex. My friend had to show me how to MOD Skyrim and it was the easiest way to.

After using both Vortex and Mod Organizer 2, I can recommend MO2.

MO2 is fantastic, I may have to get a tattoo on my left shoulder to honour its very existence.

[UsernameTaken666]

Originally posted by Lord Griswold:

Is there a way to install mods without a mod loader? I know it sounds stupid, but I like installing mods manually.

You can install mods manually, for sure. But don't come whining, ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, and / or complaining here because you ♥♥♥♥♥♥ your game.

[Elthrael]

Definitely do NOT mod without an organizer. It's really hard to undo something you might have overlook and you can bork your game completely, and even a simple reinstall won't fix the problems.