How to Install Mods for Fallout 4

STEP BY STEP

This one takes a bit of work. For more detail on any step below, The Midnight Ride guide breaks it down even further.

1. 01
   Check your copy of the game first

   You want the GOTY edition on Steam, which includes all the DLC. The Epic Games Store and Xbox Game Pass versions do not work with F4SE, and F4SE is essential. Skip the HD Texture Pack DLC as it has significant issues and is not worth it. Install the game outside of Program Files (or any default Windows folders).

2. 02
   Run the game once, then close it

   Launch Fallout 4, click OK on both "Detecting Video Hardware" pop-ups, then quit.

3. 03
   Install the Visual C++ Redistributables all-in-one package

   Grab the all-in-one from TechPowerUp, run install_all.bat as administrator, then restart your PC. Skipping this will cause immediate crashes.

4. 04
   Install Mod Organizer 2 and point it at Fallout 4

   Install MO2 outside both Program Files and your game folder. On the instance creation page choose Create a portable instance, select Fallout 4 and the shop you bought it from, and enable all options.

5. 05
   Configure your INIs with Bethini Pie

   Add Bethini Pie as an executable in MO2 and run it through MO2. Apply a preset, enable the recommended tweaks, and set your resolution. It handles the INI files so you don't have to touch them manually.

6. 06
   Run The Simple Fallout 4 Downgrader

   This one goes straight into the game folder, not through MO2. Extract it into the Fallout 4 folder, run the .exe, and wait for "Patching successful". Many mods and tools target a specific game version, so this keeps everything compatible.

7. 07
   Install F4SE, the Fallout 4 Script Extender

   Also straight into the game folder. Extract everything into the Fallout 4 folder, restart MO2, and F4SE appears in the dropdown. This is how you launch the game from now on.

8. 08
   Install the core utilities through MO2

   These are the invisible foundation everything else sits on. Install them all through the manager.

   CORE UTILITIESCopy

   Address Library for F4SE Plugins
   Buffout 4
   High FPS Physics Fix
   Workshop Framework
   Random Encounter Framework
   Garden of Eden Papyrus Script Extender
   Papyrus Common Library
   Console Autocomplete
   RAW INPUT

9. 09
   Sort your load order with LOOT

   Add LOOT as an executable in MO2 and always run it through MO2. It sorts your plugin order and flags warnings like dirty plugins or missing patches. Run it every time you add mods. It is not perfect, so read mod descriptions too, but it does the heavy lifting.

10. 10
    Test the setup, then install some mods

    Launch through F4SE via MO2 and confirm you reach the main menu without crashing. Then browse GGMods, find something you like, hit download, and drag the archive into MO2’s left panel. Hit OK, tick the checkbox, and you are done.