Fallout4 Modding

Locations

${STEAMAPPS}/compatdata/377160/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Fallout4/*.ini	user configs
${STEAMAPPS}/common/Fallout 4/Fallout4/*.ini	global configs
${STEAMAPPS}/common/Fallout 4/Data	most mods installed here.

Enable Mods

# ${STEAMAPPS}/compatdata/377160/pfx/\
#   drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Fallout4/Fallout4Custom.ini

[Archive]
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=

Plan Updates

Steam likes to auto update programs. This is problematic for mods that make use of F4SE (which is tied to a specific release of fallout4).

Configure Steam Updates

Set steam to update on run, or limit updates to hours computer will not be in use (ex. 4-5am).

Keep Previous Updates

1. Find what version of Fallout 4 you are currently running.
2. Copy and paste a copy of Fallout4.exe and then rename the new copy to Fallout4-<version>.exe
3. Whenever Steam updates Fallout 4, simply rename the new Fallout4.exe and then change your older copy to Fallout4.exe.
4. When the F4SE team is able to release an update, download the new F4SE version and rename the new patched executable back to Fallout4.exe.

https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/3381095-how-to-stop-steam-updating-fallout-4-and-why-you-need-to/

NOTE:

This is true, but Fallout changes more than just the .exe in updates (but less than the whole application).

Download old Fallout Versions from Steam

The Depots you are interested in seem to be:

• Fallout.exe
• Fallout 4 content_b

See steam page.