---
description: >-
  In this step, we will install the prerequisite patches and tools we will need
  before modding our game.
---

# Utilities

### Morrowind Code Patch

* Download the [**Morrowind Code Patch**](https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/19510) (Main files - Manual Download).
* From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's **Root** folder.
* Download the [**MCP beta**](https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/26348) (Update files - Manual Download).
* From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's **Root** folder, and overwrite when prompted.
* Run **Morrowind Code Patch.exe**.
* Install the patches listed on this [**spreadsheet**](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r6fv59to4-KgHJgCm-GDNnwSmD3LdDmamSDEs5jKFdM/edit?usp=sharing).
* Click **Apply chosen patches**, and exit.

{% hint style="success" %}
A backup of **Morrowind.exe** (pre-patch) will apear in your **Root** folder, named **Morrowind.Original.exe**.
{% endhint %}

This tool directly patches bugs in Morrowind.exe which can't be otherwise fixed by installing mods.

### MGE XE

* Download [**MGE XE Manual Install**](https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/41102?) (Main files - Manual Download).
* From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's **Root** folder.
* Run **MWSE-Update.exe**. This will update MWSE to the latest version.
* Delete **XE Sky Variations.esp** from your **Data Files** folder. This plugin won't be necessary after we install **Weather Adjuster** in the main guide.

This tool allows Morrowind to render distant views, scenery shadows, high quality shaders and other features, as well as install the latest MWSE version, which allows Lua-based mods to function.

### tes3cmd

* Download [**tes3cmd**](https://github.com/john-moonsugar/tes3cmd/releases/download/v0.40-pre-release-2/tes3cmd.exe).
* Place tes3cmd.exe in your **Data Files** folder.

This tool cleans plugins by automatically deleting identical-to-master records, usually _unintended_ by the author, which may override _intended_ changes by other mods.

### TES3Merge

* Install [**.NET 6.0**](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download). Be sure to install 6.0 and _not_ 7.0, or else TES3Merge won't run.
* Download [**TES3Merge**](https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46870) (Main files - Manual Download).
* From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's **Root** folder.
* Download [**TES3Merge Custom INI**](https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/54200?tab=files\&file_id=1000043082).
* From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's **Root** folder, and overwrite when prompted. This file includes updated merging rules to ensure no merging issues with the mods installed in the guide.

This tool solves conflicts by merging conflicting records into a separate plugin.

### Wrye Mash

* Download [**Wrye Mash 2021 - x64**](https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45439?tab=files\&file_id=1000022924).
* From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's **Root** folder.
* Run **mash64.exe**, found in **Morrowind\Mopy**.
* Click **Next**.
* Fill the paths as follows:
  * **Morrowind directory**: select your **Root** folder. A message should state that **morrowind.ini** and the **Data Files** folder were found.
  * **Mods Installers directory**: select your **Games** folder. This path is indistinct, as we will not use Wrye Mash to install mods.
* Click **Next** and then click **Finish**.
* Click **Yes** on the MWSE detected pop-up. If you are not greeted with this pop-up or misclicked, do the following:
  * Click the cog wheel button at the bottom of the window to open the **Wrye Mash Settings** window.
  * Click the **Advanced** tab, and check the option to add support for up to 1024 plugins. Failing to enable this option can cause you to be unable to repair your saves.
  * Click **OK**.
* Close Wrye Mash.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Mlox** is a tool to analyze and sort your plugin order. However, there's no need to install it when following **Morrowind Sharp**, as I'll provide the optimal load order for the mods recommended here.
{% endhint %}

This tool repairs and updates saves, updates the masters of mods, and runs tes3cmd.exe in order to clean plugins and generate a plugin which fixes a number of issues with mod setups.
