Using mods for the Sims 4 is a pretty popular way to expand your creative abilities in the game. From custom content to gameplay mods, to those required utilities for function, there’s many ways to use mods to enhance your experience.
Modding the Sims 4 is incredibly easy and only takes a few steps. With a little planning and time spent on setting things up, this task can actually become a normal habit over time.
I’m going to take you through my mods folder and how I organize and maintain it, and also share some other tips and ideas to find a way that works best for you, too!
Importance of Keeping your Mod Folder Organized
First lets go over a few important things you keep in mind when using mods. This will get you started in the right direction to avoid some complications later on.
By keeping your mod’s folder organized you are tacking three major areas at once:
- improved game performance
- reduces strain, lag and crashes
- improve loading times and speed
- easier troubleshooting
- ease of identifying and locating broken mods
- quicker sorting and reduction for 50/50 method or other troubleshooting strategies
- efficient updates and maintenance
- track outdated or broken mods easily for updating or removing
- locate mods based on type, creator, or purpose
Once you’ve found a system that works for you and the type of mods you use, it becomes a natural habit to maintain this organization system and will reduce your stress and frustration when issues arise (because issues will arise when using mods).
Things to Know About Your Mods Folder
Before we start setting up the mods folder, lets talk about a few things regarding the files and “rules” of the mods folder. Incorrectly installing mods will lead to errors or they won’t work at all so it’s important to understand the file types and their use.
- There are two file types for mods Packages and Scripts.
- Packages can be stored as deep as 5 folders within the Mods folder
- Mods > Folder 1 > Folder 2 > Folder 3 > Folder 4 > Folder 5
- Scripts, on the other hand, can only be in 1 folder within the mods folder.
- Scripts and Packages that are part of one mod should always be kept together in the same folder.
- Packages can be stored as deep as 5 folders within the Mods folder
- Sometimes there will be .txt files in your mods folder from a mod you downloaded. These files can be great resources to link you to the mod info or update link. You can leave these files anywhere. The game doesn’t read these, they’re a resource for you for information about the mod.
- Another file type within your mods folder is a Configuration Source File. There is one already there named Resource, don’t delete this file.
- If you do the game will regenerate a new one but you may lose important data.
- This also goes for the other files of this type in your mods folder.
- Other utility mods will generate their own CSF if needed. These files generally store setting information so it is best to leave these files alone and where they are unless otherwise directed by mod support in the creator’s discord server.
- These files must stay in the main mods folder.
Setting Up for Managing Mods
Now we are going to break down each step for setting up and managing your mods efficiently and effectively to what suits you best. I have also included links to premade folders you can use to get started.
Deciding a System of Organization
Think about the types of mods you have and jot them down somewhere. This is essential to determine which folder system will better suite your needs. These are going to be the first folders you seen in the Mods folder, so it is best to consider what kind of mods you use the most of and the least of.
For me my list looks like this:
- custom content
- functional objects
- gameplay
- utilities
- misc (miscellaneous)
These are my five main categories of mods I use and this is the base for how I sort my mods. You may not be a custom content user, or only use a select few of custom content. Maybe that’s all you use and avoid any gameplay mods. Either way, this is the base of your structure.
You can look at like this instead:
- category 1
- category 2
- category 3…
Or even like this:
- creator name
- creator name
- creator name…
Each of my folders mentioned above are number 1-5. The reason I do this is so they are ALWAYS at the very top when I open my mods folder. It makes it a lot quicker to drag files where I need them and keep the clutter in the main Mods folder down.
Mods that DON’T Go in These Folders
There are a selection of mods that I do not put in these folders, rather I keep them in the creator or mod specific folder they came in and they stay in the main folder. The reason for this is because of the script file rule I mentioned earlier. This refers to mods like TwistedMexi’s Better Build Buy or the MC Command Center from Deaderpool.
These mods are complex and generally have several files associated with them. Even though these files may stay grouped together, it is always best to leave them in their own folders.
Alternative Ideas
If you’re not using a contrasting selection of mods, then you may not want to create an entire folder for gameplay mods when you don’t have any. Or if you’re only using a popular mod such as MC Command Center, then you probably don’t need all these categories. Instead, you can consider sorting in one of the Subfolder Systems mentioned below.
So now you have the bulk of your structure, yay! Next we are going to break those folders down into more subfolders.
Subfolder Systems
Creating Your Own Folder System
First I want to talk about creating your own folder system independently. This task is timely but well worth it because you will have your folders established as best fit for your mod use.
This part can be a little technical based on what you’re using and how much of it you’re using. There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” system but there are plenty of options for everyone. Here’s a few examples below:
Create-A-Sim:
Here are some options to sort your Create-A-Sim mods by. Reminder, these files are typically only package files so you can sort them up to five folders deep. This method is so beneficial for tons of CAS items, especially since there are so many kinds of CAS items you can download.
- Creator Name
- Sorting by creator name is one of my go-to methods because I often use a ton of stuff from a handful of creators. Often they have their own method to naming each file that makes it easy to find the specific file you’re looking for even easier.
- Masculine / Feminine
- This is a good subfolder start especially if you want to keep these styles separated. You can further break them down by item type, as mentioned next.
- Item Type (Clothing / Shoes / Accessories / Etc.)
- This system can be grueling, but I assure you that it is worth it in the end. Particularly if you are the kind of simmer who HAS to have a lot of everything for CAS.
- Breaking items down by type allows you to spread out your CC more and it’s actually very effective for hunting down specific pieces later, especially if you share your sims online.
You can utilize all these methods in a number of ways that best suits you.
Build/Buy:
Much like the CAS items, build/buy items can also be sorted in a similar way. Also like CAS items, build/buy items are typically a package file and can be stored up to five folders deep. The only exception is when is a script is required along with a corresponding package file. those two files must be kept together and no more than one folder deep within the mods folder.
- Creator Name
- Like I mentioned before, you can do this with build/buy mods and sort them out by their creator. This can be super effective when you use a lot from one creator, like me. From here you can also sort the items out more specifically. A lot of CC creators release their items in sets of some sort so you could also keep them in folders associated with their set.
- Category
- Another option is to break it down into the two categories: build and buy. From here you can sort them even more into other categories just like it is in the game: comfort, plumbing, appliances, etc. This can be a lot more effective for hunting down those single items from sets you may not want.
- Mix and Match
- Sometimes you have a mix of items, maybe you use everything by SIXAMcc like me, so you want to keep those downloads all in one folder. But maybe you have some random must have items that don’t come from a set or a creator you often download from. Then you might want to have a few breakdowns of folders to sort out those random ones.
Gameplay Mods:
This group might be a little less complicated to sort for most, but it’s ultimately up to you and what works best for you. Personally I throw all my gameplay mods into one folder unless I have many from one creator, then they go in a creator folder. I also keep them in a creator folder if they often have mods with script files.
Creators I usually do this for are Plumlace, LittleMsSam, and Lumpinou. It’s also a lot easier to manage these mods when updates release, which will happen often.
Other methods you could consider:
- Sorting by type (Traits / Aspirations / Careers / etc.)
- Sorting by creator
- Sorting by mod specifically
Creator Specific:
Sorting by the creator is my most-used method. I don’t think I can say it enough honestly. It’s easiest to locate mods when updating them, testing them, and removing them when broken.
Often when you go to update a mod, you’re likely going to the creator’s website or patreon anyway. Sorting this way just makes sense to me the most. To each their own though.
Using a Pre-Made Folder System
If creating your own system seems a little too complicated and time consuming, then I’ve already done some of the work for you! I have created a few folder systems you can download and use right away to begin sorting and organizing your mods how you like! You can easily change names of existing folders or move them around you need. You can find those here and read more about the structure for each one.
Sort and Organize!
Okay I know this is the part no one really wants to do, but it needs to be done. Now that you’ve established an entire system, you have to put it to use! Take the time now to get all your ducks in a row so none fall down the storm drain later.
One strategy that seems to help me the most is to start with those first 5 folders I created in the beginning. Select chunks of mods and drag them to the correct category or folder you want them in. After you have sorted everything into those main folders, then group together the other mods for the other folders you wish to keep in that first layer.
After I do this, I go into each section and organize those as I need them to be. Whether I am grouping by type, creator, whatever, I sort them out one by one until they’re all where I need them to be.
So often this takes a while and I don’t always finish them in one setting, and you shouldn’t either! Remember to take breaks and drink some water too.
Making the Most of your Mods Folder
It’s no secret that mods amplify your gaming experience in the Sims. Most players seem to have some mods and stray away from playing vanilla, even if its only a small tweak or fix. The best way to make the most of your mods is to keep it organized and neat as best as you can.
Keeping your mods organized will decrease the stress of locating broken mods, or removing outdated mods when updating. It also eases the stress of the process of updating mods after a patch update.
I hope you found this blog helpful and insightful for organizing your mods.
Sul Sul, and Happy Simming! ✨💚
m0therx0fxcha0s 