What is the best way to install and use Mod Organizer 2 so that I don't lose all my files when I format Windows?

[lambient1988]

Hello,

 

I haven't played in two years and have always used Mod Organizer 2 for my mods.

 

The thing is, every time I installed Mod Organizer 2, it defaults to installing all the mod profiles in the UserData folder I believe, and I tend to reinstall my Windows a lot. And each time, I forget to backup this folder before I format C drive and reinstall Windows.

 

This has caused a lot of headaches.

 

What would be the best solution for this problem? Should I use the Mod Organizer installer version or the portable version? And where do I install it? Directly into the Skyrim folder?

I want it to be dynamic, like I might get a new PC soon and all my drive names might change, so I don't want Skyrim to stop working when that happens.

 

 

Requesting assistance

[Seijin8]

7 minutes ago, lambient1988 said:

The thing is, every time I installed Mod Organizer 2, it defaults to installing all the mod profiles in the UserData

Install MO2 -- along with Skyrim and the relevant Steam directory -- to a non-system drive.  Even if you reformat your system drive, the games are still waiting and just need Steam to re-recognize the file path.

[lambient1988]

16 minutes ago, Seijin8 said:

Install MO2 -- along with Skyrim and the relevant Steam directory -- to a non-system drive.  Even if you reformat your system drive, the games are still waiting and just need Steam to re-recognize the file path.

 

The issue is not with Mod Organizer install location. It's the Mod Profiles it creates, they default to the '%userdata%' directory and I don't know if that can be changed.

[worik]

21 minutes ago, lambient1988 said:

The issue is not with Mod Organizer install location. It's the Mod Profiles it creates, they default to the '%userdata%' directory and I don't know if that can be changed.

It can. Just take a look at the settings => second tab "Paths"

Have fun.

[Seijin8]

10 minutes ago, lambient1988 said:

 

The issue is not with Mod Organizer install location. It's the Mod Profiles it creates, they default to the '%userdata%' directory and I don't know if that can be changed.

Make it a dummy pointer directory that points to your other drive.

 

I'd be surprised if there isn't a way to tell it to change that location though (I'm still on the old MO and haven't looked, but after my most recent Windows reinstall all the profiles were still present after the drives were reassigned. /Shrug.)

[lambient1988]

4 minutes ago, worik said:

It can. Just take a look at the settings => second tab "Paths"

Have fun.

 

Oh great! Thank you. I though I would ask before installing so that I don't mess up stuff.

[Uncle64]

And when you install MO2 you should use the zip file not the installer. And always portable.

Then you can place it where you want to have it.