Fallout 3: Utilities
Before you start modding FO3 make sure you have the following recommended utility programs and scripts installed. From here on, this guide will assume you are using these utilities.
7-Zip - Preferred open-source file archiver that's essential for working with compressed files.
BOSS - Manages the load order of plugins for Oblivion, Skyrim, FO3, and Fallout: New Vegas to reduce conflicts between mods. It does this by matching your installed plugins against a frequently updated masterlist online and automatically re-sorting the plugin order for you. It works most of the time but select plugins (esps/esms) may have to be manually moved for optimal results since whichever conflicting plugin that loads last wins. I recommend installing BOSS in your main C-drive directory and adding the BOSS GUI.exe file to the MO executable dropdown menu.
FOSE (Fallout Script Extender) - Allows mod authors to add functionality not available or supported by the vanilla game. Download the latest beta version and drag the contents of the compressed file to the main FO3 folder.
ModOrganizer - A powerful program to manage all of your mod files. Has a higher learning curve than the Nexus Mod Manager but also has more features, an advanced interface and more active support. Works for FO3, Fallout New Vegas and Skyrim. Download the latest version from the Skyrim Nexus and install in your main FO3 folder. NOTE: Be sure to also download the NCC downgrade file and place it in your MO folder, overwriting all files. This fixes the integrated FOMOD installer that was broken in the latest version of MO. Upon loading, MO will auto-detect FO3. Select either the regular or Game of the Year edition depending on which version you downloaded from Steam. Archive Invalidation and BOSS are integrated while FOSE will be auto-detected if installed separately. If you already have MO installed in another game folder leave it. Right click on the ModOrganizer.exe file and select "Send to desktop (create shortcut)." This will be the file you use to load FO3.
7-Zip - Preferred open-source file archiver that's essential for working with compressed files.
BOSS - Manages the load order of plugins for Oblivion, Skyrim, FO3, and Fallout: New Vegas to reduce conflicts between mods. It does this by matching your installed plugins against a frequently updated masterlist online and automatically re-sorting the plugin order for you. It works most of the time but select plugins (esps/esms) may have to be manually moved for optimal results since whichever conflicting plugin that loads last wins. I recommend installing BOSS in your main C-drive directory and adding the BOSS GUI.exe file to the MO executable dropdown menu.
FOSE (Fallout Script Extender) - Allows mod authors to add functionality not available or supported by the vanilla game. Download the latest beta version and drag the contents of the compressed file to the main FO3 folder.
ModOrganizer - A powerful program to manage all of your mod files. Has a higher learning curve than the Nexus Mod Manager but also has more features, an advanced interface and more active support. Works for FO3, Fallout New Vegas and Skyrim. Download the latest version from the Skyrim Nexus and install in your main FO3 folder. NOTE: Be sure to also download the NCC downgrade file and place it in your MO folder, overwriting all files. This fixes the integrated FOMOD installer that was broken in the latest version of MO. Upon loading, MO will auto-detect FO3. Select either the regular or Game of the Year edition depending on which version you downloaded from Steam. Archive Invalidation and BOSS are integrated while FOSE will be auto-detected if installed separately. If you already have MO installed in another game folder leave it. Right click on the ModOrganizer.exe file and select "Send to desktop (create shortcut)." This will be the file you use to load FO3.
Nexus Mod Manager - The most user-friendly and popular mod management tool for the Fallout and TES series. NMM is easy to use, fully integrated with the Nexus site and has at least one advantage over the more versatile MO. That advantage is greater support for script-based mod installers such as FOMOD and their own NMM installer. This means fewer problems when dealing with mods such as the Unified HUD Project that can only be used with fully functioning FOMOD support. The biggest downside is that unlike MO, mods are not installed in an easy-to-reorganize virtual load order. Mods that overwrite each other will have to be installed, uninstalled and reinstalled again in different order to produce the desired results in game. Install NMM in the main C-drive directory. Otherwise, you may have trouble with user permissions when attempting to complete the install. Create a shortcut of the main exe file and put it on your desktop. This will be the place where you manage all your mods and load the game.