Easy way of manual installation and uninstallation of mods

[Emma]

Often, installing a mod manually is just as easy (or easier) than installing with a mod manager. However, many players are so used to the managers that they haven't learnt how to do it the manual way.

This is how I usually do it:

1) Create a folder on your desktop for new downloads. Download the mod to this folder.

2) Usually, the mod is packed in 7z or rar format. You need to unzip the mod. Use an extract tool for this. Here is a list of some available tools: lovkullen.net/Emma/Zip_rar.htm and extract the mod in the folder on your desktop.

3) Examine the mod. Usually, it only consists of two things: an esp-file and a bsa-file. Some mods also has various folders.

4a) Install a mod that only contains an esp and a bsa:
- Skyrim: Locate your Skyrim data-folder. Usually the path is Program Files (x86)->Steam->SteamApps->Common->Skyrim->data. Drop the esp and the bsa into the
data-folder. That is all!
- Oblivion: The path is normally Program Files (x86)->Bethesda->Oblivion->Data. Drop the esp and the bsa into the Data resp. Data Files folder. That is all!
- Morrowind: The path is normally Program Files(x86)->Bethesda->Morrowind->DataFiles. Drop the esp and the bsa into the Data resp. Data Files folder. That is
all!

4b) Install a mod with subfolders for meshes, textures etc:
- Read 4a) in order to locate the data-folder (data files folder for Morrowind).
- Go to your Skyrim (or Oblivion or Morrowind) folder. I.e. don't *open* your data-folder. Instead, drag-and-drop the meshes folder into the data-folder. It
should automatically *merge* with the already existing meshes folder that you have there. When this happen, you'll get a message asking you if you want to merge
your existing folder with the new one. Say OK to this. Do the same with texture-folder, Sound-folder etc. Finally also put your esp into the data-folder.
The important part here is the drag-and-drop trick. If you drag-and-drop, you will get this automatic merging, which guarantees that the folders have ended up
on the right place.

[Wolf]

Uninstall a mod

About a very comfortable way to uninstall a mod:

A) Just install the mod a second time just as you have done before. Say Yes to let everything overwrite.

B) Immediately after you have installed the right-click on a vacant space on your desktop and select "Undo Copying" (could also be "Revert Copying" or something else because I have to run a German system)

C) Now all the contents of the mod you wanted to uninstall is removed reliably (more reliably than with the NMM). It's a matter of seconds and you can be sure that all files are deleted. (It only can be that there might remain empty folders that won't harm anything)

[Wolf]

The picture shot was taken not far away from Aleswell but much more up in the mountains. I loved this view on Imperial City. The character is actually me in person. That's why I didn't want to take the shot from the front .

[Sniffles]

Uninstalling a mod later on when you can't undo copy. Obtain a duplicate files finding program. Of course you have kept the original downloaded mod in a safe place. Tell the duplicate files finder to compare the download folder OF THAT PARTICULAR MOD. It will show files in the MOD folder and files in the game Data folder. Check the boxes for all the files in the Data folder and tell it to delete them. Just be diligent, thorough and pay attention to details.

OOP. When you use a duplicate file finder make sure to tell it to match the exact size and attributes as well as name.