Why Use Mod Organizer 2?

Mod Organizer 2 (MO2) is widely regarded as the best mod manager available for games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and many others. Unlike older tools such as Nexus Mod Manager, MO2 uses a virtual file system — meaning your game files are never actually overwritten. Every mod sits in its own isolated folder, and you can enable or disable mods with a single click without any risk of corrupting your base game.

What You'll Need Before Starting

  • A supported game installed via Steam (e.g., Skyrim Special Edition, Fallout 4)
  • The latest version of Mod Organizer 2 (downloaded from its GitHub releases page)
  • A Nexus Mods account (free) for downloading mods
  • Sufficient disk space — mods can add up quickly

Step 1: Download and Install MO2

Head to the official MO2 GitHub releases page and download the installer (.exe file). Run the installer and choose a location to install MO2 — it's recommended to install it outside of your game directory and outside of any Windows-protected folders like Program Files. A dedicated folder like C:\ModdingTools\MO2 works well.

Step 2: Initial Setup and Game Selection

When you launch MO2 for the first time, it will ask you to select a game to manage. Choose your game from the list. If your game isn't detected automatically, you can browse to it manually. MO2 will then create a default profile for your game.

Step 3: Link MO2 to Nexus Mods

  1. In MO2, go to Settings → Nexus
  2. Click Connect to Nexus — a browser window will open
  3. Log in to your Nexus Mods account and authorize MO2
  4. Once connected, you can use the "Mod Manager Download" button on Nexus to send mods directly into MO2

Step 4: Installing Your First Mod

Browse to any mod on Nexus Mods that is compatible with your game. Click the Mod Manager Download button on the Files tab. MO2 will open and begin downloading the mod. Once downloaded, it will appear in your Downloads tab on the right side. Double-click it to install — MO2 will guide you through any required options.

Step 5: Managing Load Order

After installing mods, you'll see them in the left panel (mod list) and their plugins in the right panel (plugin load order). The left panel controls which mod files take priority when there are conflicts. The right panel controls the order in which game plugins (.esp/.esm files) are loaded.

A tool called LOOT (Load Order Optimization Tool) can automatically sort your plugin load order for safety — you can run it directly from MO2's toolbar once set up.

Step 6: Launching Your Game Through MO2

This is critical: always launch your game through MO2, not through Steam or your desktop shortcut. Use the dropdown in the top-right of MO2 to select your game's launcher or SKSE, then click Run. If you launch the game any other way, MO2's virtual file system won't activate and your mods won't load.

Pro Tips for Beginners

  • Create multiple profiles in MO2 to maintain different mod setups without reinstalling anything
  • Read mod description pages carefully — many mods have specific installation requirements
  • Install one or two mods at a time, test the game, then add more — it makes troubleshooting much easier
  • Use MO2's conflict highlighter (the lightning bolt icon) to see which mods are overwriting each other