Where Does Vortex Store Mods and Downloads?
Vortex keeps downloads and staged mods in separate folders under AppData by default. Each managed game gets its own subfolder.
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Vortex downloads archives first and then stages unpacked mods before deployment to the game folder. This two step flow keeps source archives apart from active mod files.
Default roots sit under Roaming AppData and include a per game folder named by game domain. Both roots can be moved in Settings under Download and Mods if disk space runs low.
Where Vortex stores this, by platform
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Vortex\downloads\<game>
<username> is your Windows account name. <game> is the Vortex domain name for the managed title such as skyrimspecialedition. Holds downloaded archives before install.
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Vortex\<game>\mods
<username> is your Windows account name. <game> is the Vortex domain name for the managed title. Holds staged mods linked into the game folder. Do not edit contents directly while Vortex is deploying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move the Vortex staging folder?
Open Settings then Mods and set a new Mod Staging Folder. Vortex will offer to move current files. Confirm the move with Vortex closed to other file tasks.
Why do Vortex mods take double disk space?
Vortex keeps the download archive plus the staged copy in the game folder. Purge old archives in Downloads to free space after testing the setup.
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