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Setup

In this step, we will do a clean installation and configuration of the game, which is required for the guide.

If you run into any issues at any point in the guide, please be sure to check the FAQ.
If your issue is not addressed there, join the Discord for support.

Enabling File Extensions

Before we start, it is important to enable file extensions in Windows.
By default, File Explorer will not show file extensions (such as .exe, .dll, or .esp). These extensions are very important when going through the guide, so it is highly recommended to enable visible file extensions:
  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Select the View tab at the top.
  3. Enable File name extensions in the Show section.
    4. Show file extensions

Install Location

A clean installation is not only required to get rid of any potential leftover mod files, but also to make sure the game is installed in a safe location. Here is what you need to know when choosing where to install your game:

Uninstalling the Games

If you never installed the games before, skip this section.
As the games are available on Steam, GOG, and Epic Games, there are separate instructions for each version. You obviously only need to follow the directions for the versions you have.
Steam
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If you already uninstalled the games, make sure to follow step 4 and 5 to ensure there are no leftovers.

Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout: New Vegas in the list.
  3. Right-click on it and select Manage -> Uninstall.
  4. Navigate to Steam\steamapps\common and, if present, delete the Fallout New Vegas folder.
  5. Navigate to Documents\My Games\FalloutNV and delete all INI files inside it.

Fallout 3

  1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout 3 in the list.
  3. Right-click on it and select Manage -> Uninstall.
  4. Navigate to Steam\steamapps\common and, if present, delete the Fallout 3 folder.
GOG
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Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Open GOG and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout: New Vegas in the list.
  3. Right-click on it and select Manage Installation -> Uninstall.
    • If you used an offline installer then run the unins000.exe file in the game's Root folder.
  4. Navigate to Documents\My Games\FalloutNV and delete all INI files inside it.

Fallout 3

  1. Open GOG and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout 3 in the list.
  3. Right-click on it and select Manage Installation -> Uninstall.
    • If you used an offline installer then run the unins000.exe file in the game's Root folder.
Epic Games
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If you already uninstalled the games, make sure to follow step 4 to ensure there are no leftovers.

Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout: New Vegas in the list.
  3. Click on 3 dots and select uninstall from the menu.
  4. Navigate to Documents\My Games\FalloutNV_Epic and delete all INI files inside it.

Fallout 3

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout 3 in the list.
  3. Click on 3 dots and select uninstall from the menu.
  4. Navigate to Documents\My Games and delete the Fallout3 folder.



Installing the Games

Steam
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It is strongly recommended to install the games outside of any default Windows folders (such as Program Files (x86)), as the the strict Windows file protections of these folders can break certain mods/tools. Instead, we will use a tool called Steam Library Setup Tool to create a new Steam library folder outside of any default Windows folders.

If you already have Steam installed outside of any default windows folders then go directly to step 1 of the next section and install the games to your custom Steam library.
  1. Completely exit out of Steam using Task Manager or System Tray.
  2. Download the steam_library_setup_tool-3.2.exe file from here.
  3. Once downloaded, run the file and add a new entry by clicking Add Row.
  4. Type the chosen path under Path, e.g. C:\Games\Steam
  5. Click Accept then Yes if prompted to create a new folder.
  6. The tool will ask to exit, select OK.
    7. Steam library setup tool

Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout: New Vegas in the list and select Install.
  3. Under Install to:, select the library folder created with the tool, which is the second C:\ entry if you are installing on the main drive.
    4. Example Steam install locations
  4. Select Next then wait for the install to finish.
If you still do not see your new library, restart your PC.

Fallout 3

  1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout 3 in the list and select Install.
  3. Under Install to:, select the library folder created with the tool, which is the second C:\ entry if you are installing on the main drive.
    4. Example Steam install locations
  4. Select Next then wait for the install to finish.
GOG
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Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Open GOG and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout: New Vegas in the list and select Install.
  3. Set the Install to location to a location of your choice.
    • It is required to install the game outside of any default Windows folders (e.g., Program Files x86).

Fallout 3

  1. Open GOG and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout 3 in the list and select Install.
  3. Set the Install to location to a location of your choice.
    • It is required to install the game outside of any default Windows folders (e.g., Program Files x86).
Epic Games
Show

Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout: New Vegas in the list.
  3. Click on the game to install it.
    • It is required to install the game outside of any default Windows folders (e.g., Program Files x86).

Fallout 3

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your Library.
  2. Find Fallout 3 in the list.
  3. Click on the game to install it.
    • It is required to install the game outside of any default Windows folders (e.g., Program Files x86).



Post-Installation

Key Terminology

Now that the game is installed, there are two folders from it that will be referred to in the guide often:

Generating Fresh INI Files

Fallout: New Vegas

  1. Run the game from Steam/GOG Galaxy, or through FalloutNVLauncher.exe in the game files if you are using an offline copy.
  2. Click OK to both pop-ups that say Detecting Video Hardware.
    • If there aren't any pop-ups, navigate to Documents\My Games\FalloutNV and delete all the files ending in .INI then retry.
  3. Click OK then Exit.

Fallout 3

  1. Run the game from Steam/GOG Galaxy, or through FalloutLauncher.exe in the game files if you are using an offline copy.
  2. Click OK to both pop-ups that say Detecting Video Hardware.
    • If there aren't any pop-ups, navigate to Documents\My Games\Fallout3 and delete all the files ending in .INI then retry.
  3. Exit the launcher.