Installing .UMOD's

So you've downloaded a .umod file (mod, map, mutator, etc.) and you're trying to figure out how to install it into Unreal Tournament (aka UT or UT99). Here are some step-by-step instructions to get you up and running.

Information on getting .umod's installed is readily available online, but the information is often scattered a solution at a time. And sometimes the quality of the advice is a bit suspect. Worse, the advice can sometimes be a bit heavy-handed - immediately going straight to more advanced (and complicated) methods. I've tried to make this guide comprehensive (without going overboard) and I've tried to keep the approaches in a sensible order - starting very simply, but eventually advancing to the complicated. If you see a method listed here that hasn't worked for you or you see a method that has worked for you that isn't here - please comment. I would like to try and keep this guide updated.

Also, while this guide is written specifically for Windows computers, but the advice might be helpful for users of other OS'.

I. The Easy Approach

Well, we'll start the guide with the easiest method.

A. Save the .umod file somewhere easy to find (like your desktop)
B. Double-click the .umod

That's it. This should, at least theoretically, install the .umod. This DOESN'T work for me and from what I've seen online, I'm not alone. If it didn't work, you probably received one of a handfull of 'helpful' messages - generally about Windows not recognizing the .umod format (and asking what program with which Windows should open it).

So, if this worked for you - congratulations and game on!

But if it didn't, then we'll move on to some more advanced methods...

II. The Standard Approaches

So, you've tried to easy route and had no luck. So onto the next set of approaches.

There is a .umod browser available for download that is supposed to automate the process of installing .umods. I have not tried it personally, as I'm a bit wary of software installs from unknown sources (if anyone can comment on the browser, please feel free). Details on the program can be found here: http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/UMod_Browser

The method I personally used is a little manual jumpstarting of the process. It's not as complicated as it looks (especially if you've ever used DOS), but some people might just prefer the browser mentioned above.
1. Determine where on your computer the UT folders are. For me, the folders are located at c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Unreal Tournament
2. Copy the .umod file into UT's System directory (for me that's c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Unreal Tournament\System).
3. Bring up a command prompt. That can be done several different ways (in order of ease, easy to hard):
a. Hold the Windows key on your keyboard and then the r key. This will give you a run box. Type cmd and you'll have your command prompt.
b. Click your Start button. Just above the Start button you will have a box that you can enter text into (depending on your version of Windows it might be labeled as a run box or a search box). Type cmd and enter.
c. Click your Start button. Click All Programs. Click Accessories. Click Command Prompt.
4. In the command prompt type cd\[the location of your UT system folder]. So, again using my location as an example, I would type cd\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\unreal tournament\system
5. In the command prompt type setup install [name of the .umod]. For example, if I were installing the ChaosUT mod I would type setup install chaosut_v1-1_full.umod
6. Follow the prompts in the installer to install the .umod. If during the installation the installer prompts you for a installation location use the main UT folder (again, for me that would be c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Unreal Tournament.

TIP: If you're going to be installing several .umod's at once, I would recommend copying the address once you've typed it in. You should then be able to paste it on successive installs.

III. The Complicated Approaches

So, nothing else is working? Here are methods that I've never had to resort to, but have been mentioned online as fixes. I am hesitant to even mention them and I personally would be even MORE hesitant to actually use these solutions, as they involve Registry edits. Be EXTREMELY careful when making changes to the Registry as these have the potential to do some nasty, nasty things to Windows. These are really pretty extreme solutions, and some significant user knowledge is helpful here. Be cautious. VERY cautious. Only make the mods that are suggested (and only if you trust the source). And, if you are going to go these routes, I would highly recommend making a backup of the Registry before doing any 'tweaks', just in case.

1. Run the Registry Editor (type regedit into the search/run box on your start menu).
2. Add the following entries to your Registry (adjusting the folder names if they're different from mine: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Unreal Tournament):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.umod]
@="Unreal.Module"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unreal.Module]
@="Unreal Module"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unreal.Module\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\Proram Files (x86)\\Steam\\SteamApps\\common\\UnrealTournament\\Help\\Unreal.ico"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unreal.Module\Shell]
@="open"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unreal.Module\Shell\open]
@="&Install this Unreal module"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unreal.Module\Shell\open\command]
@="C:\\Program files (x86)\\Steam\\SteamApps\\common\\UnrealTournament\\System\\Setup.exe install \"%1\""

This should 'teach' Windows how to install .umods by double-clicking on them.

This last method is, in my mind, a methd of last resort. It involves DELETING things from your Registry. This is where things can go very, VERY wrong.

1. Make sure anything custom you've downloaded for UT is saved somewhere that is NOT a UT folder.
2. Completely uninstall UT.
3. Run the Registry Editor (type regedit into the search/run box on your start menu).
4. Search for any Registry entries that include .umod or tournament. (Be VERY careful with this last instruction, as other programs could be installing Registry entries with tournament in them. Use your best judgement.)
5. Reboot.
6. Reinstall UT.
7. Start a practice round.
8. Quit.
9. Reboot.
10. Try reinstalling your .umod's (go back to Section I of this guide and work your way forward again).

IV. Final Notes and Acknowledgements

Once you actually get your .umod installed correctly, the actual .umod is no longer needed (the actual files that UT needs are extracted from the .umod). So, you can delete the actual .umod file to save some disk space (most .umods aren't too big, at least by modern standards, but they can add up if you're not careful.) Any .txt, .doc or similar files that come with the .umod can be dealt with as you see fit. Some leave them where they are and some delete them (generally they're not relevant after the .umod is installed). Personally, I move them into UT's Help folder (C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common\Unreal Tournament\Help) - because sometimes they have some useful information on the .umod

Much of this guide is my own work, based off my own efforts to get .umods on both my newer system and my older ones (back when I was dealing with the actual UT CD). But some of this information was gleaned from web searches and so the original authors deserve some credit.

Both solutions in section III come from the same original source: this thread (http://forums.beyondunreal.com/showthread.php?t=35886) on the BeyondUnreal forums.
-The 'adding Registry entries' fix was originally credited to Viking1.
-The 'uninstall, purge your Registry and reinstall' fix should be credited to Drillah.
As I haven't used either methd, I can't vouch for their usefulness, but several people in the thread seemed to have success with them.

Acknowledgements for the UMOD Browser are attributed in the wiki link mentioned in Section II.

Thanks to everyone in the community that has offered advice on this matter, whether it directly impacted this guide or not. Afer all, the healthier the community - the more people that can (and will) play. And that means more people to frag and be fragged by... Game on!

[gamerz31w]

I guess it’s hard to say.

[NiHiLvS]

is it possible to unistall the umods and how? thx

[gamerz31w]

How Jazz Jackrabbit 3D might work as Unreal Tournament mutator?

[Baboo85]

Thanks I added the registry entry for an easier management

[gamerz31w]

I noticed today interface change.

[⭐ [ FuX0r ] ⭐]

Too much for nothing .

[gamerz31w]

So do you know how to make custom character mods or not?

[evil_tox]

It was actually funny to me what the REAL easy solution was, you just have to press 'Open With...' and navigate to UT folder in steam /System there should be a Setup.exe chose it. It's the games unpacker for .umod files. It even autodetects the path to the game. (and if you are installing Community Packs, 3 (1-3) of them already in the steam version, you only need to install 4th one)

[gamerz31w]

Which one method is way more simple?

[Dr.Flay™]

I. If the easy method works for you it means you either installed from CD or have installed the final v436 NODELTA patch, which will add the correct registry entries to Windows.
In that case why are you reading this ?

II. If you need to use the standard method you are missing the registry entries, so install the final 436 NODELTA patch to fix it.

III. If you need to use the complicated method, don't.
It is easier to put the text in a reg file and merge it with the registry, however...
Use the final 436 NODELTA patch instead so it isn't complicated.

My own IMPORTANT note:
If you have both Unreal and UT99, they compete to claim responsibility of the UMOD filetype.
In this case UMOD Browser is your best option. Easy to use and from a well known and respected author.
Short guide and DL can be found in the UT99 forum https://ut99.org/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=6020