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Modding prior to the official tools
Although it's considered too early to mod Starfield as the official tools have not yet been released by Bethesda some are modding their game. Since Bethesda is updating the base game more often than usual (approximately every 6 weeks) this will cause issues with the Starfield Script Extender (SFSE) while users wait for that mod and any mod that depends on it to update so they can then update their game and those mods. So if you insist on modding at least protect your game.

Speaking of too early to mod Starfield, you'll often see a disclaimer similar to the one below on mods with plugins on many Nexus mods:

Important
Updates do not break Starfield per se. But if you are using the Starfield Script Extender (SFSE) you are modifying the base game and in doing so any official update will cause your modified game to not launch. Fortunately there are steps we can take beforehand to protect our game.

This guide covers two different methods for protecting your game from updates. You can use one or the other, some use both methods at the same time.

When it comes to modding Bethesda games on PC the following steps have worked for me over the past 5 or 6 years and my game has never once updated until I chose to update. However some have reported their game updated anyway.

Method 1: The Old-fashioned way can screw up and update so not as reliable as method 2
You'll of course need to have the Script extender (SFSE) installed so you can launch from it.

Change Starfield's update settings in your Steam Library to "only update this game when I launch it". Then - Never launch Starfield via Steam, only launch via the sfse_loader and only while Steam is running in the background.

To accomplish this:

1. From the LH side of your Steam Library Go to: Starfield / right click / Properties / Updates
Under Automatic Updates use the dropdown & select "Only update this game when I launch it"
2. Going forward ONLY Launch Starfield from your sfse_ launcher.exe
And make sure you are signed into Steam (Steam must be running in the background)
You can make a shortcut in your mod manager's Dashboard under "Tools" & launch from there and it is important that Steam is running in the background!

That's it. Now you can update your game whenever you are ready which would be after SFSE and the mods that depend on it are updated. Many people never update their game as they are happy with the load order they have created so that's also an option.

*See an alternate more effective method in the next section in the next section of this guide.
(I recommend using the combination of both methods)

This is a more effective method so follow it closely.

Step 1 - Find your steamapps folder:
Generally on Windows it will be located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps
Or if it's not on your C Drive then check whatever drive you have Steam installed to then follow the Steam\steamapps folders

Step 2 - Find the appmanifest_1716740.acf file within your steamapps folder:
Inside your steamapps folder you'll see multiple different appmanifest files. The one you're looking for is appmanifest_1716740.acf which is for Starfield.

Step 3 - Make the appmanifest_1716740.acf file Read-only:
Right click your appmanifest_1716740.acf file and select Properties. Then click the checkbox for Read-only down towards the bottom so that it becomes marked and hit Apply.

Final statements:
Once you've followed all the steps above Steam will be unable to update Starfield until you uncheck the Read-only for the manifest file. However, you of course won't launch Starfiled through Steam launcher anymore but trying to do so will cause it to attempt an update and display an error due to being unable to update. So make sure you always launch thru SFSE

For Double Protection use both Methods (1 & 2) and of course always launch through SFSE.
Do Not tempt fate and try updating in order to see if it's working.

If you ever want to make it so Steam can update Starfield again simply just uncheck the Read-only box mentioned above and hit Apply. Don't forget to re-check it after you update your game.

How to update your game if you use Method
Once you are ready to update your game simply reverse the steps you took to protect it. You can then update SFSE and any mods that needed updating.

Don't Forget:
Once you are finished with your updates repeat the same steps you took to protect it again.

A few optional tips as a precaution:

1. OneDrive can and often does cause issues with your save. Best bet is to turn OneDrive off.
   
2. Ideally Steam's cloud saves should be off as well.
   
3. Finally, by turning off all instances of Auto saves. Just remember to save often.

Most important is #1 followed by #2. I know #3 can be tough for many users. #1 is the most common culprit so if you only do one of the above do that.

For Starfield:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3199872428
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3213331733
*NEW
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3404834557

Mod Manager:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1977191236

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Some of my guides for Skyrim Special Edition:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2820697176 https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2872091273 https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2743619856