Setup
If you're running OpenMW, you can skip all sections labelled with 📃
Requirements
An english copy of the game.
A Nexus account. This guide assumes you are using a Free account, so no need to pay for Premium.
A file archiver. I recommend 7-Zip.
A text editor. I recommend Notepad++.
.NET 6 Runtime (for TES3Merge, a conflict resolution tool).
Installation
You should install Morrowind outside all default Windows folders (Program Files, Program Files (x86), Desktop, and Documents for example). Windows User Account Control monitors these folders, which can cause problems later on.
Your Morrowind Root folder is where Morrowind will be installed, and where the game's executable (Morrowind.exe), launcher (Morrowind Launcher.exe), and Data Files folder will be found. For example:
Additional, you will need a folder where to install our mod manager and keep your mods. For example:
Make sure you don't create your Morrowind Root folder inside your Morrowind folder. Mod Organizer 2 will fail to register your installed mods.
Cleaning up your installation
The GOG release of Morrowind shipped with files that are of no use to the average player. These files are not necessary and do nothing but clutter up your installation. Some of the files we will delete are the official plugins Bethesda released for Morrowind. These are to be considered low quality mods, with some having received a rework from fans to make them actually worth your while. You can read about the official plugins here.
All said, delete the following from your Morrowind\Data Files folder in order to free about 700 MBs from your install:
The BookArt, Icons, Meshes, and Textures folders.
All .esp files. There should be 8 of them, corresponding to the 8 official plugins.
All .txt files. There should be 8 of them, corresponding to the 8 official plugins.
Your Data Files folder should now look like this.
⭐📃 DXVK [Original Engine Only]
A Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 9/10/11. Gives you more FPS. Yes.
Install instructions:
Open the archive with 7zip
Open the archive within the archive
Open the x32 folder
Put the d3d9.dll in that folder into your Morrowind directory
⭐📃 Morrowind Code Patch [Original Engine Only]
Directly patches bugs in the Morrowind program (Morrowind.exe), which cannot otherwise be fixed by editing scripts or data files. It is a must-have utility for anyone who plays Morrowind, and should be the first utility you ever install.
Manually download Morrowind Code Patch (Main files).
Extract the contents of the file in your Morrowind Root folder (C:\Games\Morrowind).
Repository for the Beta update for the Morrowind Code Patch. Despite being a beta, the patch is perfectly stable and no crashes have been reported from my end or other users of the guide.
Manually download MCP beta (Update files).
Extract the contents of the file in your Morrowind Root folder (C:\Games\Morrowind), and overwrite when prompted.
⭐📃 MGE XE
The Morrowind Graphics Extender XE allows Morrowind to render distant views, scenery shadows, high quality shaders and other features. MGE XE supports and includes the latest MWSE 2.1 beta, so that the newest Lua-based mods work straight away.
Manually download MGE XE Installer (Main files).
Extract the contents of the file and run the MGE XE Installer.exe.
When prompted to choose an install location, choose your Root folder (C:\Games\Morrowind).
When installation has finished, uncheck both options and click Finish.
✨ OpenMW Installation
TODO
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