EASY MANUAL MOD INSTALL: ALPHA 21 / V1, 7 Days to Die

[@SnowBee]

This guide also works for Version 1 of 7D2D. Just note that the game devs have now added in a Mods folder ALREADY to your copied folder. So, there is already a folder that you must keep under Mods. Some of the mods also add the folder, which is called "0_TFP_Harmony", so you must just make sure that folder is there and you can keep it or overwrite it when you copy the mod over.

[@marie-eagle]

Thanks bee. I already use manual, I think it is the best way to install. Never fails.

[@WatchKevin_]

1 of the best modding videos I've ever seen. compact, simple, variety options, straight to the point, with examples/exhibits not just verbal talk, all in a humble of 9 minutes. Bonus for being up to date for Alpha 21, just exquisite, Cheff's Kiss This is the way. - Mandalorian

[@SnowBee]

Wow, thanks for the compliments :) Much appreciated.

[@NullZ1]

when you say "Dont look at Rizzo's Secret Folder" , you know there are people out there that will not heed these warnings XD

[@SnowBee]

Haha, exactly! Some players who don't like JM, will likely go and download it for the sake of doing that. :) It is why I actually chose JM, and not something more popular like Darkness Falls.

[@potato8780]

Thank you for the information. Fantastic as always.😊

[@SnowBee]

Thanks Potato :)

[@karlrule5367]

I’ve been having trouble finding a resource about setting up a DF server so friends can play. That would be a great video.

[@lichtschatten9978]

Thanks so much - this is soooooo helpful. Hi from Bavaria

[@SnowBee]

Thanks. And a HI from South Africa :)

[@LandonBoje-pq4zf]

thanks bro, super clear and straight to the point, love it

[@NullZ1]

might want to make an update on this since im hearing rumors left and right that the Manual way of doing it (Steam/common/7days to die/Mods) will not work soon and will be replaced with (Appdata/user/etc.) when the console comes and steamworkshop comes , rendering the mod launcher inactive.

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, that will happen if there is a change. I heard it was supposed to change already, but here were are in A21 without it still, but I will definitely make an update when it happens :)

[@NullZ1]

@@SnowBee yes very much so, I can tell we will have Mod Armageddon , just like when A21 first came and all A20 mods broke down. Or the good ones did

[@MrWhitearchon]

Awesome guide @SnowBee this will definetly help new players :)

[@SnowBee]

Thanks Archon :)

[@Grandadbrad]

Excellent video. New to modding this great game and you explained everything so well.

[@SnowBee]

Thanks :)

[@hid2437]

give this guy a free cookie he deserves it

[@shrike7777]

Thx man, informative.

[@SnowBee]

Glad it was helpful. :)

[@НикитаПустовалов-ю3у]

Thanks bro, it what we need!❤️

[@kelwin2180]

I use the mod launcher. I never have an issue, but I know on discords it does seem like more people have problems with the ML than the manual method.

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, I tend to think that as well.

[@omnilightstudios7958]

I've notice gun mods that add new assets have issues with the mod launcher more often than not

[@adamwarner1548]

​@omnilightstudios7958 maybe that's why I have difficulty downloading the wild west mod on the mod launcher since it has different guns in it

[@Rangermanlv]

Yea I think where alot of the confusion is coming in is that people can't seem to decide weather to put mods into the game folder itself, or the AppData folder as it's stated that putting mods into the game folder itself is being depreciated and your going to have to start putting mods in Appdata. However apparently this hasent taken place with the game yet so it's still the mods in the main games mods folder for now.

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, I didn't want to add the additional info and confuse players even more. If it ends up being changed in A22 or later, then I will do another video :)

[@sensorycombustion]

Thank you SnowBee!

[@greghoffstadt667]

Ty now I can play A21 DF Experimental

[@SnowBee]

Yes, same procedure. :)

[@zoom9940]

Nice SnowBee

[@SnowBee]

Thanks

[@Austin_852]

Hey I got to the step were I extracted all of my mods and when I click on one of the mods there's not set mod folder the mods I chose were bdubs vehicle mod and some gun mods, what do I do?

[@SnowBee]

Hi SuperForce, Sorry for the late reply. If there is no folder under the extracted folder, then usually you can crate one. Dump the files under that. So each mod, let us call them mod 1, mod 2 and mod 3, would be under the "Mods" main folder. I hope that makes sense?

[@TomySpot]

nice video my friend

[@SnowBee]

Thank you 👍

[@pinkyswear543]

Thx bee

[@SnowBee]

Sure, no problem :)

[@funglam6736]

Thanks for the information. I am hosting the game for few friends. Is it okay if I just host the game with mods(overhaul or non-overhaul)? Do they need to download the mods by themselves? Or can they just join the game and download them while loading the game?

[@SnowBee]

Nope, unfortunately with overhaul mods, everyone must have the mod and the same version. So, server and each client must have the same mod. :)

[@omnilightstudios7958]

thanks snowbee !! ima try this im working on a mod compilation still learning a lot im asking the original authors if i can use their mods and such but i now have 40 plus mods in my mods folder how does one go about compiling them all into on AIO mod is it as easy as copy and pasting XML files into a single file or is there some Xpath magic that need to happen

[@SnowBee]

Unfortunately, I am not a modder, so know very little about how they function together. I would suggest you look at the 7 Days to Die forum, there are a number of help topics and people willing to help. :)

[@crackpot3708]

I see the same potential problem with this wonderful guide that I saw in Khane's. In the version 5 zip file I downloaded, there are DarknessFallsA21LauncherFile.xml and DarknessFallsServerConfig.xml files. No mention is made of them. I'm assuming that the "DarknessFallsA21" & "DarknessFalls" prefixes must be removed when you copy/move them into the 7d2d folder, but, assuming things like that could lead to problems.

[@SnowBee]

Unfortunately I am unsure why those are a problem as you just use the mods folder, and whatever is under that. In the most recent folder v5 folder, I only see a Mods folder in his zip file. Use all the contents of that, or just move the Mods folder as-is to your copied 7D2D folder. I am unsure about the other files as I don't see anything outside of the Mods folder. So, I am unsure what you mean.

[@OpR8R-357]

I know this video is about a year old but curious if I can use this method to keep my current A21 game plus the new V1.0 on the same computer?

[@SnowBee]

Hey dude, no problem. The principle is the same and works in the same way :) So, Yes! Just one thing to take note of. Currently your vanilla version 1 likely has a Mods folder already. There is also a folder under that called "0_TFP_Harmony". Leave this folder as is. So, you do not have to create a new Mods folder... it is already there.

[@TagDigSelv]

Its easy when you know what to do, Thanks :D

[@SnowBee]

You are so correct. As much as I can try make things easy, there is still a learning curve for players who never use Windows Explorer or like to just click "next" "next" "okay". That is why the mod launcher can be good, just that once you understand the manual method, you will never have a problem unless your download stuffed up.

[@SoulbreakerNB]

How do I use Bdub's vehicles? I've put their folder into my mods folder but I don't see their recipes in-game? EDIT: The vehicle mods I added in still has another layer of folder, preventing it from working in my own save. XD

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, that extra level is what appears to get in the way of many an install :)

[@slayer-oi2kw]

So if my friends want to play with me do they have to turn off their Easy Anti Cheat or no?

[@SnowBee]

Hey slayer. Yip, everyone that plays with mods must kill their anti cheat.

[@redneckdrennan745]

another is the 7 days to die mod launcher and for us that just went UMMMMM? its pretty easy and and really yea its pretty easy!! might do a video for those who dont know? i mean im still trying to figure out how to do it your way and im not saying its hard or bad but that way works best for me. great video!!

[@SnowBee]

Mod devs tend to avoid it due to the potential problems it brings. Khaine, for darkness falls mod usually doesn't help players with mod launcher problems. As I mentioned in my video, it does work, and it can be fine, just if you use the manual method you should never have a problem. A few months ago, pipermac, the dev from Age of Oblivion mod, discovered why some players were missing something after installing and always having problems. It was due to the mod launcher installation process. The mod launcher dev was very kind and helped him get it right just for mod launcher, but it was still many weeks of frustration to try figure out why some players were having the problem. It usually works, and does help players, just the potential is greater for various problems to creep in. However, I may do a guide sometime. :)

[@redneckdrennan745]

oh ok thanks@@SnowBee

[@Operator_Waffle]

thank you before when i tried i could play and they worked but for no reason i couldnt loot any containers

[@SnowBee]

Any particular mod? Was it just smaller mods or an overhaul?

[@Operator_Waffle]

@@SnowBee i downloaded a bunch of QoL mods and it just wouldnt let me loot anything dont know why but now everything is working fine

[@samiam4544]

My Spereii mod launcher will download overhauls but fails to launch them.

[@SnowBee]

If you went into the folder where ML saved the copied game, then you can run the same file that you use for the manual method.

[@Fantusdrake]

Thanks

[@SnowBee]

No problem :)

[@azirus]

GZ, you managed to stretch Copy+Paste tutorial to 9 minutes. *slow clap :D Also you could've noted you can downgrade 7D2D to unfuck things. From the minority of using Steam original game folder with mods :D

[@SnowBee]

Bwhahaha. :D Yeah, I wanted to make sure new players were not going to say they still don't understand. The Windows OS can be quite scary for some. I actually deleted the bit that said this is for new players, and sorry to anyone finding it a bit drawn out. It was an easy guide for new players. Also, I don't think I mentioned it was for new players ;) lol Downgrade 7 days to Die? Do you mean uninstall?

[@azirus]

@@SnowBee downgrade to earlier version of the game (it's called Beta in Preferences). Eg. I'm still on 20.6 :D Well for some it's enough to just say: Copy+Paste the mod folder to Mods folder but some idiots, ehm, new players need a much more railroaded handholding to achieve such complex thing. (and yes, I'm making fun of them, not your work, you couldn't do more).

[@SnowBee]

@@azirus Yeah, I am setting up pictures on my website to also include a basic step by step guide. That will have less explaining :)

[@lukaskoky3409]

I have a question, im completly new and i wanted some quality life mods( more stack, visible hunger...). How do i do it if i want two mods at the same time. Ok and last question: do i need to open 7 days from the folder or i can normaly launch it

[@SnowBee]

Sure, you should not have a problem with following the same advice in the video. Download the mods, and put them into the "mods" folder into your copied 7 days to die folder. The mods are quite likely called something different, so they just have different folder names under the "mods" folder. Call the main copied/pasted 7 days to die folder whatever you want. Run the game the same way as mentioned in the video. Remember, the mods are on the new copied 7 days to die folder, so that is where you launch the game from. If you ran the game from the Steam play button, then it would launch the normal game without your mods. Just make sure whatever mod you are using it compatible with whichever version of 7 days to die you are running.

[@lukaskoky3409]

@@SnowBee So if i want to play more mods at the same time i shoud make one copy of the game And in one mod folder put two or more different mods at the same time And i should play with more mods

[@SnowBee]

Yes, you can add a few mods. The most non-overhaul single mods I have played with is about six. All added to the same "Mods" folder. You can play with more, but just make sure they are not doing something similar. So, if a mod is changing the way you farm, it wouldn't be advisable to add another farming mod. They could clash. However, if you had one that added some guns, and a second one that also added guns, it is quite likely they would work together as both mods are just adding additional guns.

[@lukaskoky3409]

@@SnowBee thank you so much i saw more videos but yours was best thank you

[@bigbirthaa27]

If I were to install a HUD mod, or dew collector mod, not an overhaul mod. Is it the same steps? All the videos I've seen for how to install mods are for the overhaul mods and not the minor ones.

[@SnowBee]

Minor ones are the same, if installed on their own. However, overhaul mods often do already make changes to the HUD or dew collector. So they will clash. What you can try, is after you add the overhaul mod, then add the other two mods in their own folders, also under the mods folder. They will have a folder just like the overhaul mod. Put the two minor mods with the overhaul mod folders. Worse case is you will break something, but as this is in another duplicated folder it won't matter. Just don't stuff around with a save game you plan to use. If you do, then at least make a back up of the save game first. So, if that does not work, you can also try to rename the two folders of the minor mods. For example, add a zz or z to the two minor mod folders. Now, when they are in the same overhaul mod folder, they will appear at the end of the overhaul mod's folders. I hope that makes sense?

[@bigbirthaa27]

@@SnowBee thankyou mate, much appreciated. I've not used mods in any capacity so I've been reluctant. Your video and this explanation has given me more confidence. Cheers. Also I subscribed! Been meaning to for a while, great content.

[@SnowBee]

@@bigbirthaa27 Thanks :)

[@ArjKm]

So if I run a dedicated server, the same folder has to go in two different places. Once in the Mods folder of the game and once again paste in the Mods folder in the dedicated server files. Correct ? Thank you for the video !!

[@SnowBee]

Hey Arjkm Generally the mods folder that is in the client 7 days to die folder, but also be on the 7 days to die folder on your server. Same root folder.

[@tgx123mgjack8]

Can somebody help me after I doing this and it does not I'll open the game and for some reason the mods just don't show

[@SnowBee]

That usually means you have installed them in the incorrect place. So, what have you done, can you state your steps?

[@andrewkotcher5704]

why cant you just copy the actual mods folder into 7d2d without making a seperate one?

[@SnowBee]

Hey Andrew You certainly can, there is nothing stopping you from doing that. The mod(s) will certainly function. However, it is good practice to copy the folder so as to enable players to still play vanilla if required, without having to delete the mods folder. Second, you can have multiple mods or versions. Third, and probably most important, this involves updates. Mods are often made compatible after a new vanilla alpha version launches. So, if the version changes, then your mod will likely be incompatible. You could break your save by running it on the wrong version. You could just role back, or set your game to not update, etc, but yeah, all just messy. So, a good clean practice is to do the copy option to keep your game version that is compatible with your mod running for months or years in its own little vacuum. EDIT: Forgot to mention. This is actually a pretty good question. Thanks.

[@asf130thecompany7]

Could you create shortcut to desktop like in this exsample: 7DtD Joke mod? Same goes for every single one the mods :)

[@SnowBee]

Yes, certainly. Just shortcut the 7daystodie.exe file and it will run in the same way as running the file directly.

[@asf130thecompany7]

@@SnowBee Ok :) Might wanna do all of em ;D

[@dmmp27]

Thanks!

[@SnowBee]

And thank you! Much appreciated :)

[@just4kicks966]

What about this folder C:\Users\famil\AppData\Roaming\7DaysToDie\Mods? My game won't work without putting the files in here to

[@SnowBee]

No, then you are doing something else wrong. The non app data path is an alternative that I prefer, and it is not contingent on files being duplicated there. As far as I know it will read both paths and take both into account. For example, if I recall when I installed the Sorcery Mod overhaul using the self-install that came with it, it installed into the appdata path. When I played a mod with files in the alternative path without removing the Sorcery Mod files under appdata, then both mods clashed and I was seeing a mix and mess of both running at the same time.

[@duaneflint11]

For the life of me I cannot manually install War3zuk (did DF no prob). When I use mod launcher I get the War3zuk main screen, but no custom maps and just crashes when I try starting a game.

[@SnowBee]

This sounds familiar. If I recall, the first time I ran War3zuk, I think there were multiple files, and I was using the incorrect mod download or file(s). I didn't get crashes, but the mod didn't appear to work. This was back in A20. I see the version on 7daystodiemods.com is a Mod Launcher version.

[@christianbrosch4397]

is the darkness falls mod on this side the alpha 21 version?

[@SnowBee]

I am unsure what you mean by "this side"? Do you mean "site"? The alpha 21 version is only available from the darkness falls discord and the 7 days to die forum. It is not stable yet, so it does have bugs and problems. Let me know if you want a link to the experimental if you can't find it?

[@rammstein1ification]

@@SnowBee please send me the link Thx

[@SnowBee]

@@rammstein1ification Here is the forum link that Khaine pasted. community.7daystodie.com/topic/4941-darkness-falls-they-mostly-come-out-at-night/?do=findComment&comment=538824 Version 5, B22 is the latest experimental version. The link for the Darkness Falls discord is in my video description. Though you can just use the forum link above if you don't want to join the discord.

[@mikearge23]

Every time I try to download any new overhaul mod ever since a21 every single game I start does NOT spawn a trader… 😭 someone please help 😔

[@SnowBee]

No traders usually means you are on the incorrect version for A21. So, not the mod, but the vanilla alpha version you are using is not compatible. Check the announcements or download area of the mod, usually they mention whether you need Experimental or Stable.

[@mikearge23]

@@SnowBee hmm ok let me see. Thanks for your help SnowBee

[@mikearge23]

@@SnowBee Bee you saved my ass! You were correct! The wrong alpha was the problem the whole time! Now I can actually play the game with no issue! I appreciate you man!

[@SnowBee]

@@mikearge23 Excellent, thanks for letting me know :)

[@JayPredictable]

do you still earn hours on steam for running a 7 days copy?

[@SnowBee]

Yes, and that includes achievements as well.

[@JayPredictable]

awesome thanks @@SnowBee

[@calebhunget6854]

I have followed all of the steps and it doesn't seem to be working. I don't know if it's the mod I downloaded or what.

[@calebhunget6854]

I'm still not sure if it was just the mod or if I installed that mod the wrong way but the district zero mod is working.

[@SnowBee]

Hi Caleb So, from what I can tell, you did get District Zero working?

[@calebhunget6854]

@@SnowBee yes i got district zero working and I'm guessing the mod i had issues with was outdated.

[@thisgaming2931]

What about pc gamepass?

[@SnowBee]

Sorry for the late reply. A combination of playing Ark and RL work has been getting in my way. Yeah, this is a bit more of a different story. PC Gamepass folder is pretty much locked down and difficult to utilise. I don't know how easy it is to setup mods in the game folder. I do believe that adding to the %APPDATA%/7DaysToDie/ folder will work though. Please try that. So put the "Mods" folder there.

[@jpgiles1725]

Did I mess something up? Why can't I play Vanilla anymore? My vanilla save got mixed with my Sorcery Mod save. Do you know how this could have happened? I think when i started my Sorcery Mod, i clicked run and save as default? Could that have been the reason? If anyone can help, pleasefill me in. I did follow the video the same time i was downloading the Sorcery mod. Edit I downloaded the Wild West mod and that worked fine. Not really sure why the Sorcery Mod blended my vanilla save with it. Ok, So when you download the extracted file, you only download the mod folder right? Not the entire the extracted file?

[@SnowBee]

Hey JP Okay, Sorcery is probably the most different of all the mods with installing. It has a self install, so you can run the install and it does everything for you. Just be careful with that as it will put the files in the appdata folder (the other location for Mods that I don't talk about). Sorcery is easy to remove if you did it this way as there is an uninstall option. From what I read, it sounds like you do have a separate 7 days to die copied folder? The manual method for sorcery is to take the two folders "Sorcery" and "Deep Pockets", and put those folders in your "Mods" folder. There are also other folders related to game difficulty and the supporter key, but we can ignore those for now. The bottom line is as long as you have those two folders in your "Mods" folder, you should be fine. So, the question is, where did you run the game from? It should be run from the new copied folder. The 7daystodie.exe file (or application) under that copied folder. Once the game was run with this, then you would see the Sorcery mod menu, etc. Next question, which saved game did you run? If you ran your old vanilla saved game, you could destroy your saved game as it would be trying to load stuff and save data related to Sorcery. From what I understand, when you ran your old vanilla game from Steam, it was showing sorcery? This likely means, you may have installed the game through the self installer, and it put the mod under the appdata location. Did you try the self installer initially?

[@jpgiles1725]

@@SnowBee Hey SnowBee. I figured it out. I did do the self install. I had to Uninstall Steam and Reinstall it. I Uninstalled Sorcery Mod and Reinstalled using the video above. I messed up the initial install. However, I started a new Vanilla game, and my separate Sorcery game is not being mixed in with Vanilla. Your response helped me figure out what I did wrong! I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my comment!

[@SnowBee]

@@jpgiles1725 Always good to know that players are resourceful, very glad you fixed it :)

[@jeremiahthomas3944]

What about using the Mods folder under the C:/Users/xxxxx/AppData/7days2Die/mods. (It’s something close to that I don’t know the full path by heart)

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, about a year or more TFP said that would be the only option. However, for some reason, nothing more has been said. In the past the appdata folder was a hidden folder. So it was difficult to find without switching on hidden files and folders. Explaining how to switch on hidden files is a pain and extra step. These days, you can easily get to it through Steam, but I still think it sucks as a location. So I avoid it :) Maybe it will still be forced on us in the future, time will tell. :) You can add mods there, and I know Sorcery Mod uses that location for its default installer.