[Tutorial - Easy] [Win32] Efficient way to install mods

[UntalkativeBunny]

Hate it when you download a mod you want to try so bad but have to browse to your maps folder all the time and copy and paste? Well, you won't have to do that now. By following this tutorial, you'll love the easiest way to install your mods.


Things to do before we start:

Browse to your maps folder, create a new folder named 'Backups' and copy every original map file into the 'Backups' folder.

Now, once that's finished, let's get started.

Step 1: Allowing Hidden folders and files in Windows Explorer/My Computer.

Open "My Computer".
Click "Tools" > "Folder Options".
Go to the "View" tab.
Under "Hidden Files and Folders", click "Show Hidden Files and Folders".
Click "Apply"
Click "OK"

Step 2: Browsing to right place.

In My Computer, put the following in your address bar:

C:\Documents and Settings\%%Usernamehere%%\SendTo

Be sure to put your username in where it says "%%Usernamehere%%"
You will see a few files, but ignore them. Once you are there go onto Step 3.


Step 3: Setting up the shortcuts.

In your SendTo folder, right click and choose "New">"Shortcut".
Follow the wizard, and when you get to the shortcut path, put in your path to your maps folder. By default it is:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo\MAPS

Finish the Wizard, and give it a decent name like "Halo Maps".

You're now finished!


Now, whenever you find a mod you like, download it, extract it (if nessecary), right click the map file and beside "Sendto", click "Halo Maps"
You will be prompted to overwrite the original, say yes.

Start up Halo and play the mod. By the time u start playing, you'd just be finishing up copy and pasteing it if you hadnt followed this tutorial.

This method can be used for Halo CE maps. Just do the same thing, but give it a name like CE Maps or something.

Enjoy!

[Pepsi]

i right clicked my halo maps folder and choose "create desktop shortcut" for it. now i have a shortcut on my desktop that takes me directly to my halo maps folder in one click.

i also have halo installed on my computer 3 times for these reasons.

stock install:
this is for competition when things have to be fair and stock for game recording. this is also used to get backups of maps i have messed up.

redux install:
this is for the new redux project im working on. all maps i know working 100% are here. this way if i need to tweek things or what not i can within this halo setup

modd install:
this install is for testing maps, skins, anything. i just overwrite these bitmaps and files constantly with skins and modded maps for testing and rating things that are downloaded.

clean. neat. organized.

[DeadHamster]

Also takes up 4.5 Gigabytes of space.

This is a pretty good idea, but the desktop shortcut is better. It's quicker, and you can open the folder whenever you need to.

I dont have my Halo installed there anyway, I have it saved in a folder on my desktop, so it's just going through two or three folders to get to it.

[UntalkativeBunny]

I suppose this could be intended for people with tons of stuff on their desktop or people with low or very low resolutions and cannot fit tons of stuff on their desktop. I agree that the desktop shortcut would be easier, but i still use my way even though i have a high resolution and not alot of stuff =D

at your 3 installations pepsi, i can know its organized but i've never heard of anyone doing that before.

[Philly]

Cool. But I put Halo in 'My Documents'. Very handy.

[Bllasae]

Also takes up 4.5 Gigabytes of space.

Yah, not to mention it would be a whole crapload easier if he just backed up his original maps, and replaced the modded ones with the original. There you go, just saved you 4.5 gb of disk space, and time. Anyways, there's a simpler way to do this. Just right click on your "Maps" folder, "Create Shortcut", cut it, close the folder, go to your desktop, right click and select "Paste".