How to install game mods: a beginner's guide

What are game mods and how do they work?

Short answer: A mod is a file that changes or adds something to a game. Most mods are free and made by the community.

Mod is short for modification. A mod can be tiny, like a bug fix or a cleaner interface, or huge, like an expansion with dozens of hours of new story.

• Graphics mods: sharper textures, lighting and weather.
• Quality-of-life mods: clearer menus, a better map, autosave.
• Content mods: characters, weapons, quests, new areas.
• Gameplay mods: changes to difficulty, economy, combat or rules.

Most mods are made for PC. Some games also support mods on consoles officially, covered below.

Are mods safe? How to download mods without viruses

Short answer: Yes, when you download from trusted sites like Nexus Mods, CurseForge, Modrinth or Steam Workshop and check the comments first.

The main risk isn't the mod itself but where you get it. Trusted sites scan files and show comments from thousands of players.

• Only download from known sites: Nexus Mods, CurseForge, Modrinth or Steam Workshop.
• Check the download count, rating and last update date.
• Read the latest comments. If a mod breaks after a game update, someone has already said so.
• Be careful with mods delivered as an .exe from an unknown site. Mods are usually zip, 7z, jar or package files.
• Avoid sites full of pop-up ads and fake "Download" buttons.

Tip: Mods are completely fine in single-player games. In competitive online games, mods that give an advantage count as cheating and can get your account banned.

Before you install mods: 5 things to check

Short answer: Back up your saves, make sure your game version matches the mod, and read the mod's requirements.

1. Back up your save files

   Copy your saves folder somewhere else so you can always go back.

2. Check your game version

   Mods are built for a specific version. After a big game update, some mods stop working until the author updates them.

3. Read the requirements

   Many mods need another mod to work, such as SKSE for Skyrim or Fabric API for Minecraft. Requirements are listed on the mod page.

4. Start small

   Install 2-3 mods, launch the game and check that everything works. Then add more.

5. Make sure your PC can handle it

   Heavy graphics mods need a stronger graphics card than the base game.

Mod managers explained: Vortex, Mod Organizer 2, CurseForge and Steam Workshop

Short answer: For beginners: Vortex for Nexus Mods games, CurseForge or Modrinth for Minecraft, and Steam Workshop when the game supports it.

A mod manager installs, enables and removes mods with a click, so you never copy files by hand. It's the safest way to start.

• Download Vortex from the official site
• Download Mod Organizer 2
• Download LOOT
• Download CurseForge

How to install mods with Vortex and Nexus Mods, step by step

Short answer: Create a Nexus Mods account, install Vortex, add your game, click Mod Manager Download, then Deploy.

1. Create a free Nexus Mods account

   Go to nexusmods.com and sign up. A free account is enough.

2. Install Vortex

   Download and install Vortex, then log in with your Nexus Mods account.

3. Add your game

   In the Games tab, find your game and click Manage. Vortex usually finds the game folder on its own.

4. Download a mod

   On the mod's Nexus Mods page, open the Files tab and click Mod Manager Download. Free accounts also click Slow download. The file opens straight in Vortex.

5. Enable and deploy

   In the Mods tab, make sure the mod is Enabled and click Deploy Mods if the button appears.

6. Launch the game

   Start the game through Vortex or as usual and check that the mod works.

Tip: To remove a mod: click Disable or Remove in Vortex, then Deploy. No need to delete files by hand.

How to install mods from Steam Workshop

Short answer: Open the game's page in Steam, choose Workshop, click Subscribe on a mod, and Steam installs it for you.

1. Open the Workshop

   In your Steam library, open the game's page and choose Workshop. If there's no Workshop tab, the game doesn't support it.

2. Subscribe to a mod

   Pick a mod and click Subscribe. Steam downloads it and keeps it updated automatically.

3. Enable it in the game

   Some games, like RimWorld and Cities: Skylines, also need you to enable the mod in the in-game Mods or Content Manager menu.

To remove a mod, click Unsubscribe. This is the simplest way to start modding.

How to install Minecraft mods (Forge, Fabric and CurseForge)

Short answer: The easy way: install the CurseForge or Modrinth app, pick a modpack and press Play. Mods work in Minecraft Java on PC.

Good to know: real mods work in Minecraft Java Edition on PC. Bedrock (phones, consoles and Windows) uses Add-ons from the Marketplace or .mcaddon files instead.

1. Easy way: CurseForge or Modrinth App

   Install the app, choose Minecraft, search for a mod or modpack and click Install. The app sets up the right game version and loader for you.

2. Manual way: pick a loader

   Install Forge or Fabric for the exact version the mod needs (for example 1.20.1). A Forge mod won't run on Fabric, and the other way round.

3. Put the mod in the mods folder

   Copy the .jar file to %appdata%\.minecraft\mods on Windows. If the folder doesn't exist, launch the game once with the loader.

4. Choose the profile in the launcher

   In the Minecraft Launcher, select the Forge or Fabric profile and press Play.

Tip: Many Fabric mods also need Fabric API. If the game crashes right away, check the mod page for other requirements. Want more tips? Advanced Minecraft guide.

How to install Sims 4 mods

Short answer: Put the files in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods and enable mods in the game settings.

1. Download the mod

   Files ending in .package or .ts4script, usually from CurseForge or the creator's site.

2. Copy it to the Mods folder

   Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods. If the file is zipped, extract it first.

3. Enable it in settings

   In Game Options, Other tab, tick Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed, then restart the game.

Tip: After a Sims 4 update, script mods may stop working until the creator updates them.

Can you install mods on PlayStation and Xbox?

Short answer: Only in games with official support, like Skyrim and Fallout 4 (Creations menu), and Add-ons in Minecraft Bedrock.

• Skyrim and Fallout 4: the main menu has Creations (formerly Mods). You need a free Bethesda account. Xbox has a wider selection than PlayStation.
• Minecraft Bedrock: Add-ons and worlds from the Marketplace, some paid.
• Baldur's Gate 3: has an official in-game mod manager in the main menu.

Consoles can't install mods from outside websites. If mods matter to you, PC is the right choice. Best PC games.

What is load order and how to sort it with LOOT

Short answer: Load order is the sequence in which the game loads mods. When two mods change the same thing, the one loaded last wins.

Load order matters most in Bethesda games (Skyrim, Fallout, Starfield), where mods come as .esp, .esm or .esl files. The wrong order can cause bugs and crashes.

• Vortex has LOOT built in and sorts automatically. Click Sort Now in the Plugins tab.
• .esm (master) files load first, then .esp files.
• Big mods that change a lot (like world overhauls) load early. Small fixes and patches load after them.
• If the mod author lists a specific order on the mod page, follow their instructions.

Game crashing after installing a mod? How to fix it

Short answer: Disable the last mod you installed. If that doesn't help, disable half your mods and test again until you find the culprit.

1. Disable the last mod

   Most of the time the problem is the most recent mod you installed.

2. Check for missing requirements

   Go back to the mod page and make sure every mod in the Requirements tab is installed.

3. Check your game version

   An automatic Steam update can break mods like script extenders. Check whether an updated version of the mod is out.

4. The half method

   Disable half your mods and launch. If it works, the problem is in the half you disabled. Keep splitting until you find the bad mod.

5. Verify game files

   In Steam: right-click the game, Properties, Installed Files, Verify integrity. This returns the game to a clean state.

How to remove a mod:

Restoring game files: Steam: Verify integrity (above). Epic Games: three dots on the game, Manage, Verify. GOG Galaxy: Manage installation, Verify / Repair. Verifying doesn't delete files mods added (like a Script Extender or ENB's d3d11.dll), so delete those from the game's main folder by hand. In Minecraft just play once with the normal Latest release install.

Restoring a save or world: close the game, rename the damaged save folder instead of deleting it, and copy your backup back in its place. In Minecraft the worlds are in %appdata%\.minecraft\saves, and backups made with Edit, Make Backup are ZIP files in %appdata%\.minecraft\backups. In other games, load a save from before the install, or copy the backup back into Documents\My Games.

Tip: Removing a mod that added items, blocks or characters deletes them from the save for good. Restoring a backup is better than playing on. Mods that add content to the world are best installed before starting a new save.

Best games to start modding

Short answer: Skyrim, Minecraft, Stardew Valley and Fallout 4 are the easiest places to start, with the most mods and tutorials.

• Skyrim: The biggest modding community in the world. Works with Vortex.
• Minecraft: Thousands of mods and ready-made packs through CurseForge.
• Stardew Valley: Small, friendly mods, perfect for a first try.
• Fallout 4: Mods on PC and on consoles.
• Baldur's Gate 3: Official mod manager inside the game.
• Cyberpunk 2077: Graphics and quality-of-life mods through Vortex.
• The Sims 4: Clothes, furniture and gameplay tweaks.
• RimWorld: A rich, easy Steam Workshop.
• Valheim: Building, map and quality-of-life mods.
• Cities: Skylines: Buildings and maps from Steam Workshop.

Mods FAQ

Short answer: Short answers to the questions beginners ask most.

Are mods legal?

Yes. Most game companies allow and even encourage mods in single-player games. Mods that give an advantage in competitive online games are not allowed.

Do mods cost money?

Most mods are free. Some creators accept donations, and some games have paid content such as Creations or the Marketplace.

Will mods ruin my save?

It can happen, mostly when you remove a mod that added content mid-playthrough. That's why you back up saves before every install.

Can I use mods in online games?

Only if the game explicitly allows it. In competitive games, mods that change the game can get you banned.

What's the difference between Vortex and Mod Organizer 2?

Vortex is simpler and suits beginners. Mod Organizer 2 keeps your game folder clean and gives more control over large mod lists.

Do I need a strong PC for mods?

Not for most mods. Graphics mods like 4K textures and advanced lighting need a stronger graphics card.

How do I remove a mod?

In your mod manager: Disable or Remove, then Deploy. In Steam Workshop, click Unsubscribe.