Modfix creates a Junction or Symlink in Windows from Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data\ location to the Starfield_Install_Folder\Data\ location.
(Supports those with OneDrive paths as well)
See Videos section for a tutorial and overview of how it works
Benefits of this Fix vs other fixes:
Mods, Photos, MOTD, and Photo Gallery all work as normal
No need to disable MOTD
No loaders or other “plugins” required or needed
Cleaner fix that allows everything to work in perfect harmony
Apply fix and forget, no need to update fix later
Updates to game should not break this fix
Easy download, extract command from zip, double click to apply the fix, done
No messing around with blocking permissions, tinkering with settings etc..
No need to worry about going into Documents location for anything except for ini tweaks or run commands
Compatibility
Known Issue:
OneDrive forces backups of Documents when Documents is enabled in it. This in turn will cause your SF\Data folder to be included. You can disable Documents in OneDrive. Unfortunately, OneDrive does not allow exclusion of subfolders within this location. One workaround posted by qwertiks is stickied in the Posts section. For ease of use, I created a command file to help with this: See Optional files download.
*** Works for GamePass and Windows Store versions too ***
Your path to game install will be different, but Modfix will work the same as long as you place it with Starfield.exe
About:
This fix 1 punches Starfield data issues right into Oblivion…
Wait what?!?! But, if MO2 etc.. is working fine for you – no need for this fix? Of course, it isn’t going to hurt using it either.
Modfix is simple in that is creates a Junction or Symlink from Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data\ to Starfield_Install_Folder\Data\ redirecting the game to load files from the main game location rather than from Documents. This makes is easier for you to install mods, especially through mod managers that install to the game folder.
If you don’t already have a StarfieldCustom.ini then this Modfix will also create it for you. Don’t worry, if you already have one this will not overwrite it.
Q: Why use your fix rather than X fix?
A: It’s about options and preference. Use whatever fix method you want. No one is forcing you to use this and it has no negative impact on the game.
Just don’t be that person that wants to spam my post section about how it is not needed and to use “x” instead.That does not
help players who want to use this method.
Q: If the game gets updated, do I need to re-apply this fix?
A: No, the fix should remain valid even on a game update.
Q: Can’t I just disable motd?
A: If that is your preferred method and it works for you then sure.
Q: Can I still take photos and view them in-game like normal?
A: Yes
Q: Do I need to update when the Modfix version is updated?
A: No – Most of the changes are pathing that may have prevented some from installing the fix because of different ways the OS writes out path information (especially if you moved your profile to a different drive). If it worked for you already, You’re good to go, no need to touch it again until you either reinstall your OS or if you delete the My Games\Starfield folder or if you delete the My Games\Starfield\Data link)
Q: Do I still need StarfieldCustom.ini with the recommended bInvalidateOlderFiles and sResourceDataDirsFinal settings?
A: Absolutely, Yes! this does not change that requirement. This is for a very specific issue with the game not loading mods even after that fix is applied. If applied StarfieldCustom.ini edits and mods are still not loading then chances are this fix will help you to a less stressful experience.
Q: Where do I install mods after this fix is applied?
A: To your Starfield_Install_Path\Data\ folder, the same as other Bethesda games such as Skyrim and Fallout 4 etc..
Q: I get “You do not have sufficient privilege to perform this operation.” when I run Modfix.cmd
-or- Please run Modfix as admin and try again
A: Right-Click Modfix.cmd -> Run as Administator
Q: Will this overwrite my existing StarfieldCustom.ini
A: No, it will only create one with proper data if it does not exist already
Q: Will I lose my existing Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data folder?
A: No, If you followed instructions you would have moved this already, however, Modfix will rename it to Data_TIMESTAMP where timestamp is the datetime of the fix applied – Follow instructions of Modfix once Modfix is complete. If you closed Modfix already, simply move the files/folders from inside the Data_Backup folder to your Game_Install_Folder\Data\ location. (Example: C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Starfield\Data\)
Q: I get “Starfield.exe not found. Please make sure you placed Modfix in the correct location and try again…” ?
A: See Docs, specifically Steps 4 and 5
Q: Can’t you make Modfix move my files for me?
A: In short, Yes. I didn’t because in the event you have mods there already, I will leave it 100% up to you if you overwrite existing files. This way, you cannot blame me for messing up your mods.
Q: I am getting “Access is denied. Cannot create a file when that file already exists.”
A: Please rename the Data folder in Documents\My Games\Starfield to something else (ex. Data_Backup) (Thanks Veloxio!)
The Modfix should have done that, but if it failed you can manually rename it.
Q: I am getting “The system cannot find the path specified” like 4 times?
A: This has to do with directories not existing or being in a different location (Documents\Starfield) If you would, send me a Private Message and let me know (by pasting the path) where you would find your StarfieldPrefs.ini so I can try to fix it in an update.
Q: OneDrive is backing up my \Data folder, Help!
A: See optional files
Q: Can I make the link myself?
A: Yes, you would just need to adjust the paths to match yours but simply run the command (with fixed pathing for your PC / game locations) from a command line.
mklink /J “C:\Users\Crypton\Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data” “C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Starfield\Data”
Q: Everything went good but my Run Batch file commands no longer load?
A: Move your run command files to main game folder (next to Starfield.exe)
Documentation:
1: Always make a backup of files/folders before doing any changes ..
2: Goto your “Documents\My Games\Starfield\” folder for some it may be (“OneDrive\Documents\My Games\Starfield\”)
3: If you have a Data folder located here, Right-Click -> Cut or Copy and then Right-Click and Paste it to your game install folder (same place as Starfield.exe)
4: Open the folder containing your Starfield.exe: (ex. C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Starfield) or (GamePass: C:\XBoxGames\Starfield\Content)
5: Download and extract Modfix.cmd from the zip file to your game install location placing it next to Starfield.exe
6: Double-Click to run Modfix.cmd
7: Now you can install mods as you normally would with any previous Bethesda title (To the game istall location where you find your Starfield.exe)
8: You are done messing around with “Documents\My Games\Starfield\” location except for editing ini or custom run commands.
9: Seriously, you’re done here go play. oh.. you can delete Modfix.cmd file now if you wish.
Questions & Answers
Q: If the game gets updated, do I need to re-apply this fix?
A: No, the fix should remain valid even on a game update.
Q: Why use your fix rather than X fix?
A: It about options and preference. Use whatever fix method you want. No one is forcing you to use this and it has no negative impact on the game. Just don’t be that person that wants to spam my post section about how it is not needed and to use “x” instead.
Q: Can’t I just disable motd?
A: If that is your preferred method and it works for you then sure.
Q: Can I still take photos and view them in-game like normal?
A: Yes
Q: Do I need to update when the Modfix version is updated?
A: No – Most of the changes are pathing that may have prevented some from installing the fix because of different ways the OS writes out path information (especially if you moved your profile to a different drive). If it worked for you already, You’re good to go, no need to touch it again until you either reinstall your OS or if you delete the My Games\Starfield folder or if you delete the My Games\Starfield\Data link)
Q: Do I still need StarfieldCustom.ini with the recommended bInvalidateOlderFiles and sResourceDataDirsFinal settings?
A: Absolutely, Yes! this does not change that requirement. This is for a very specific issue with the game not loading mods even after that fix is applied. If applied StarfieldCustom.ini edits and mods are still not loading then chances are this fix will help you to a less stressful experience.
Q: Where do I install mods after this fix is applied?
A: To your Starfield_Install_Path\Data\ folder, the same as other Bethesda games such as Skyrim and Fallout 4 etc..
Q: I get “You do not have sufficient privilege to perform this operation.” when I run Modfix.cmd
-or- Please run Modfix as admin and try again
A: Right-Click Modfix.cmd -> Run as Administator
Q: Will this overwrite my existing StarfieldCustom.ini
A: No, it will only create one with proper data if it does not exist already
Q: Will I lose my existing Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data folder?
A: No, If you followed instructions you would have moved this already, however, Modfix will rename it to Data_TIMESTAMP where timestamp is the datetime of the fix applied – Follow instructions of Modfix once Modfix is complete. If you closed Modfix already, simply move the files/folders from inside the Data_Backup folder to your Game_Install_Folder\Data\ location. (Example: C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Starfield\Data\)
Q: I get “Starfield.exe not found. Please make sure you placed Modfix in the correct location and try again…” ?
A: See Docs, specifically Steps 4 and 5
Q: Can’t you make Modfix move my files for me?
A: In short, Yes. I didn’t because in the event you have mods there already, I will leave it 100% up to you if you overwrite existing files. This way, you cannot blame me for messing up your mods.
Q: I am getting “Access is denied. Cannot create a file when that file already exists.”
A: Please rename the Data folder in Documents\My Games\Starfield to something else (ex. Data_Backup) (Thanks Veloxio!)
The Modfix should have done that, but if it failed you can manually rename it.
Q: I am getting “The system cannot find the path specified” like 4 times?
A: This has to do with directories not existing or being in a different location (Documents\Starfield) If you would, send me a Private Message and let me know (by pasting the path) where you would find your StarfieldPrefs.ini so I can try to fix it in an update.
Q: OneDrive is backing up my \Data folder, Help!
A: See optional files
Q: Can I make the link myself?
A: Yes, you would just need to adjust the paths to match yours but simply run the command (with fixed pathing for your PC / game locations) from a command line.
mklink /J “C:\Users\Crypton\Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data” “C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Starfield\Data”
Q: Everything went good but my Run Batch file commands no longer load?
A: Move your run command files to main game folder (next to Starfield.exe)
Modfix-1-8
