# Game Setup

## Requirements

* An english copy of the game from [**GOG**](https://www.gog.com/game/the_elder_scrolls_iii_morrowind_goty_edition?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoaWD-6LP6AIVCxCRCh2a5gPiEAAYASAAEgIUSvD_BwE) or [**Steam**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/22320/The_Elder_Scrolls_III_Morrowind_Game_of_the_Year_Edition/).
  * Only the English version of the game is supported for maximum compatibility; translations can conflict with mods and cause issues.
* At least 13.0 GB of free drive space.
* A text editor ([**Notepad++**](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/v7.9.5/) is recommended, but the default Windows notepad will work).
* An archiving tool ([**7-Zip**](https://www.7-zip.org/) is recommended. If you use Windows 11 then [**NanaZip**](https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/nanazip/9N8G7TSCL18R?hl=en-us\&gl=us) is a better option).
* A [**Nexus Mods**](https://users.nexusmods.com/register) account (a Premium subscription will allow uncapped speeds).

## Uninstalling the Game

{% hint style="success" %}
If you do not have the game installed yet, skip this step.
{% endhint %}

### Steam

* Open Steam and go to your **Library**.
* Find **The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind** in the list.
* Right-click on it and select **Manage** -> **Uninstall**.
* Navigate to Steam\steamapps\common\ and, if present, delete the **Morrowind** folder.

### GOG

* Open GOG Galaxy and go to your **Installed** games.
* Find **Morrowind** in the list.
* Right-click on it and select **Manage installation** -> **Uninstall**.
* Navigate to GOG Galaxy\Games\ and, if present, delete the **Morrowind** folder.

## Installing the Game

### Install Location

A clean installation is not only required to get rid of any potential leftover mod files, but also to make sure the game is installed in a safe location. Here is what you need to know when choosing where to install your game:

* **Avoid any default Windows folders:** This includes but is not limited to C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files x86, your Desktop and your Documents folders. This is due to Windows UAC (or User Account Control), which heavily monitors and protects these folders. This can cause many issues with the game and any modding tools. An example of a safe location is C:\Games\Steam and C:\Games\GOG Galaxy.
* **Install on an SSD if possible:** Having the game on an SSD will drastically improve loading times and decrease stuttering.

### Steam

We will use a tool called Steam Library Setup Tool to create a new Steam library folder outside of any default Windows folders. If you already have Steam installed outside of any default windows folders then skip this step and simply install the game to your custom Steam library.

* Completely exit out of Steam using Task Manager or System Tray.
* Download the **steam\_library\_setup\_tool-3.2.exe** file from [**here**](https://github.com/LostDragonist/steam-library-setup-tool/releases).
* Once downloaded, run the file and add a new entry by clicking **Add Row**.
* Type the chosen path under **Path**, e.g. C:\Games\Steam
* Click **Accept** then **Yes** if prompted to create a new folder.
* The tool will ask to exit, select **OK**.
* Open Steam and go to your **Library**.
* Find **The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind** in the list and select **Install**.
* Under **Install to:**, select the library folder created with the tool - the second C:\ entry if you are installing on the main drive.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you still do not see your new library, restart your PC.
{% endhint %}

* Select **Next** then wait for the install to finish.

### GOG

* Open GOG Galaxy and go to your **Owned Games**.
* Find **Morrowind** in the list and select **Install**.
* Under **Install to**, select **C:\Games\GOG Galaxy\Games**.
* Select **Install** then wait for the install to finish.

Note that the GOG release of Morrowind ships with files we do not need, including the [**official plugins**](https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Plugins) Bethesda released for Morrowind. We will install a merged and fixed version of these plugins in the guide, so we don't need the original files.

* Delete the following files from your **Morrowind\Data Files** folder in order to free about 700 MBs from your install:
  * **BookArt** folder.
  * **Icons** folder.
  * **Meshes** folder.
  * **Textures** folder.
  * All **.esp** files. There should be 8 of them, corresponding to the official plugins.
  * All **.txt** files. There should be 8 of them, corresponding to the official plugins.

<figure><img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Sigourn/morrowindsharp/main/pictures/DataFiles.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Your Data Files folder should look like this now.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Post-Installation

### Official Map

Morrowind originally shipped with a detailed map which is absent from digital stores. You can get this map [**here**](https://github.com/Sigourn/morrowindsharp/blob/main/pictures/map.jpg).

### Key Terminology

Now that the game is installed, there are two folders from it that will be referred to in the guide often:

* **Root** folder: Where the game is installed.

{% hint style="info" %}
Steam\steamapps\common\Morrowind
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
GOG Galaxy\Games\Morrowind
{% endhint %}

* **Data Files** folder: Where all of the game's assets are located.

{% hint style="info" %}
Steam\steamapps\common\Morrowind\Data Files
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
GOG Galaxy\Games\Morrowind\Data Files
{% endhint %}

### Enabling File Extensions

By default, File Explorer will not show file extensions (such as .exe, .dll, or .esp). These extensions are very important when going through the guide, so it is highly recommended to enable visible file extensions:

* Open File Explorer.
* Select the **View** tab at the top.
* Enable **File name extensions** in the **Show** section.