How to Downgrade Fallout 4 (PC Only): Fallout 4 updates can sometimes break your carefully crafted mods. If you are willing to return to the Commonwealth pre-update, there is a way to downgrade the game on PC. However, this process requires some technical know-how and comes with some caveats.
Before We Begin: A Word of Caution
Upgrading Fallout 4 involves manually downloading files and messing with your game directory. This is a relatively complex process, and there is potential for things to go wrong. Make sure to backup your save before proceeding. Plus, downgrading means you’ll miss out on the latest bug fixes and features. Additionally, online functionality may be limited.
How to Downgrade Fallout 4 (PC Only)
- Some free time and patience.
- A decent internet connection (downloading the necessary files can take a while).
Step-by-Step: Downgrading Fallout 4
- Disable Automatic Updates: First, ensure Steam doesn’t decide to update Fallout 4 again while you’re downgrading. Right-click Fallout 4 in your Steam library, go to “Properties” -> “Updates,” and uncheck “Automatic updates.”
- Open the Steam Console: Launch Steam and press
Shift + Tabto open the Steam Overlay. Click on “Steam” in the upper left corner and select “Open Steam Console”. - Download the Depots: In the Steam Console, enter the following command, replacing
[depotname]with the appropriate depot names for Fallout 4 and any DLC you own. You can find these depot names online through community resources like [Fallout 4 Downgrade Guide].
download_depot 377160 [depotname]
- Locate the Downloaded Files: Steam will download the depots into a folder within your Steam directory (usually
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\content\app_377160). - Back Up the Depots (Optional): It’s a good idea to create a backup copy of these downloaded depots in case something goes wrong during the downgrade process.
- Prepare Your Fallout 4 Directory: Right-click Fallout 4 in your Steam library, select “Properties” -> “Local Files” -> “Browse Local Files” to open the game directory.
- Replacing the Files: Here comes the most delicate part. Close Fallout 4 if it’s running. Copy the contents of each downloaded depot folder (from step 4) into your Fallout 4 directory, replacing existing files when prompted.
- Localization Files (Optional): If you play Fallout 4 in a language other than English, you’ll need to download the corresponding localization files. The process is similar to downloading the depots, but the commands will vary. Refer to online guides for specifics.
- Disable Steam Cloud Saves (Optional): Steam Cloud saves might conflict with your pre-update saves. To be safe, consider temporarily disabling Cloud saves for Fallout 4.
- Launch the Game: Try launching Fallout 4. If everything went according to plan, the game should load in the downgraded version. You can check the version number on the main menu screen.
Remember: Downgrading should only ever be used as an interim solution; you will eventually require updated to access online features and bug fixes as well as take into consideration that some mods might not work with older versions of your game.
Caution
Downgrading is complex and can break mods/saves. Back up your data and proceed with caution! Game guide hub will not responsible for any losses.
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