Load maps and custom files from a custom location!

This guide will show you how you can have TF2 loading custom files from custom locations!

This is useful for those who want to boost TF2 with an SSD without installing it on the SSD. This can also be helpful for content creators who are worried about fragmenting their hard-drives!

This guide also works on other Source Engine games that makes use of the /custom folder.

Your custom folder.

This folder can be setup anywhere that doesn't require TF2 to have Admin access. Places like C:/Windows may not be the best choices...

I have a SSD as drive D:/ and I want to use it to boost map times, so I'm going to create a folder called "TFCustom" (D:/TFCustom/). Your folder can be anything you want.

Now this folder is going to work exactly like the /custom folder tf2 has. Same rules apply, same way of using it. The readme.txt for /custom folders can be found at \steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\custom\readme.txt

Finding TF2

First we need to navigate to the tf folder, this can be found at steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/tf



If you have multiple SteamLibrary locations, you will want to travel to the one you installed TF2 to.

GameInfo.txt

Now that we are in the tf2 folder, we need to edit the gameinfo.txt file.

This can be opened with any text editor, even Notepad.

Once inside, look for "game+mod tf/custom/*" under SearchPaths.

You want to duplicate that line and change tf/custom/* to where you want your new custom folder.
I am using D:/TFCustom/*.

Done!

You now have everything setup! Start filling your custom folder with whatever you want! Remember to follow the rules of the /custom folder!

Adding a test map...
...It Loaded!

ERROR!

Oh No! You didn't follow the rules of the /custom folder!
This can be caused by having /custom/maps/WaffleKingdom.bsp
The correct way to organize the custom folder is /custom/WafflePack/maps/WaffleKingdom.bsp

You may have also noticed that there is no readme.txt in your new custom folder. TF2 doesn't generate one for your folder, instead it can be found at \steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\custom\readme.txt

Help! TF2 is no longer loading my new custom folder!

This can can be due to Steam replacing the gameinfo.txt from an update(Rare). Simply repeat the steps in setting up the gameinfo.txt.

Sorry if the guide is a bit messy, was tired when I made this. Feel free to leave feedback and suggestions on this guide!

[Woshee]

Still works in 2022!

[onions]

What is the readme.txt i dont have it

[Hernz]

amazing