One of the reasons for the continuing popularity of Skyrim is the full support for custom modifications. To date, tens of thousands of unofficial add-ons of a very different nature have been released: from simple interface add-ons to global storyline ones.
Another Bethesda studio project was no exception - the post-apocalyptic game Fallout 4, which, to the delight of mod makers, received support for modifications almost immediately after the release.
Both Skyrim and Fallout integrate their own launch environment, which is both a launcher, a configurator and an add-on manager, however, most players using third-party plug-ins prefer control programs that offer wider functionality than standard launchers. One of them is the Nexus Mod Manager utility developed by the Nexusmods community.
What is the program for?
How to use the Nexus Mod Manager for Skyrim (or any supported game), it’s worth knowing to every fan of third-party modifications for games, since NNM is an application that allows, without additional efforts from the user, to control the installation, the order of location and the removal of user modifications safe for the game, as well as an alternative means of launching supported games.
Opportunities
To understand how to use the Nexus Mod Manager, you should consider the key features of the program, which include:
- Manual or automatic installation of add-ons, moreover, the user can access both the installation of modifications preloaded from the network and the direct download of add-ons from nexusmods.com
- Monitoring outgoing updates of the program itself, as well as installed modifications.
- Change the download order of add-ons. The function is very useful, since many modifications require the so-called master files containing the game resources used in the addon (models, textures, sounds, etc.). Each modification created using official tools carries links to game archives that are priority for download. If the desired archive is located below the installed modification, is not in the list of installed or is not activated, the program will issue a warning with brief instructions.
- The ability to delete modifications without a need for a game without having to search for mod files in game folders and without the risk of accidentally deleting the necessary files. This is achieved thanks to a separate storage location for installed plugins that is not associated with the game directory.
- Support for profiles, which allows you to create multiple game configurations at once. This option is useful for both creators of mods and players, for example, to identify errors and conflicts.
- One-touch game launch function.
Unfortunately, there is no Russian localization, but the interface is pretty simple and straightforward, so figuring out how to use the Nexus Mod Manager will be quite simple.
Installation
The program is completely free, so you can download it from any source. After downloading the installation file, you must:
1. Run the installation and select the directory where the program will be installed.
2. After waiting for the installation to complete, run the program.
3. At the first start, NNM will scan the system for supported installed games. The process can be canceled by clicking on the cross stopping the search.
4. If for some reason Nexus Mod Manager does not determine the installation of Skyrim or another game, the path can be set manually.
5. Now, at each launch, the program will display a request to manage the modifications of one of the installed games. If there is only one game, this menu can be disabled.
Using the program. Online mode
NNM involves the use of both online mode and offline mode.
In this case, you will need a working account on the nexusmods.com portal. In the special window, you need to enter the credentials that the Nexus Mod Manager will use. As soon as the server processes the authorization request, the program will be able to connect to Nexus to download and update modifications. In addition, authorization will be needed to manually download the mods you like.
If an account is missing, you must create one. The registration procedure is quite simple, but it requires a mailbox in the .com zone located on foreign servers, since stable operation of the account is not guaranteed with Russian mail services.
Offline mode
You can use the Nexus Mod Manager with or without an Internet connection. At the same time, there is no need to register on the site, as well as the subsequent input of credentials. In this case, the desired modification should already be downloaded from a particular source, after which you can proceed with its installation. The most common way is to manually add an addon through the program controls: in the Mods tab, click the Add mod from file icon, then select the required one. The add-on will appear in the list in the main window. Double-click to activate the mod, after which it will be registered in the game. A simple drag-and-drop archive with an addon into the program window is also allowed.
Disabling the mod is the same double click, then you can remove it from the list using the Del key.
More ways
The second method is suitable for those who are used to installing add-ons manually by unpacking archives directly to the Data folder. The peculiarity of the procedure is that NMM in this case will not be able to activate the mod (you will have to do this in the Plugins tab), as well as correctly delete it, all files will need to be deleted from the game folders yourself. For the same Fallout 4, using the Nexus Mod Manager in this mode is not very convenient, unless the ability to sort add-ons is relevant.
The third method is designed for special archives with nnm-installers that allow you to configure its available parameters during installation of the mod (depends on the developers of the modification). This installation starts similarly to the first method.
After studying these instructions, you can safely start using the Nexus Mod Manager for both Skyrim and any supported game.