Guide/Launcher Options Menu

Last updated for version `1.8.0-BETA-7`

*Main article:* Guide/INI Setting

This article explains how to configure Fallout 4 with the `Fallout4Launcher.exe` and INI files without external tools. All INI files play an essential role in that regard.

## Preface

The launcher options as well as various third-party tools (BethINI) are practical tools which use a graphical interface in order to change INI settings. Interestingly, these are not absolutely necessary because if you understand the INI file structure you can make changes yourself. However, the main problem is that there are a number of artifacts from other Beth games (like Skyrim), some preset commands are copyied to the wrong INI and some commands contain typos and are therefore useless unless you fix them yourself, which requires more in-depth knowledge and therefore lead to relying on graphic interfaces and avoiding INI file changes. All of this can lead to confusion and is often the reason why a third party tool is prefered.

## Fallout4.inis

Relevant INI files are located in `📁...\Documents\My Games\Fallout4`

* `Fallout4.ini` - generated once during the launcher's initialisation process and never altered again
* `Fallout4Prefs.ini` - altered by the launcher's options and the in-game configuration menu
* `Fallout4Custom.ini` - settings will override only `Fallout4.ini`
* `ControlMap_Custom.txt` - altered by the "Controls" section of the in-game configuration menu

The games folder itself also holds INI files that are only used as presets by the launcher to generate pre-defined configurations (see below).

📝 **Note:** Settings that do not appear in the INI files are handled by plugins (ESP and ESM files). Mods can do excatly what the `Fallout4Custom.ini` can do, that is to override an INI setting from `Fallout4.ini`. By extension mods can also override those from  `Fallout4Custom.ini` too. To do so, the `Mod_name.esp` must be active in the load order and present in the Data folder as well. Its name must match the mod's name and the INI file must contain valid settings. If two mods override the same setting the mod with the higher priority take precedence.

## Fallout4Launcher.exe

### Location

* Fallout 4 Options can be changed through the `Fallout4Launcher.exe`
* `📁...\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 4`
* Select "Options" after execution, in order to be able to change the graphic settings.

### Initialization Process

When the launcher is run for the first time, an **Initialization Process** is activated. This compares the hardware used and creates the `Fallout4.ini` and `Fallout4Prefs.ini` based on presets using the following protocol/sequence:

1. `Fallout4_Default.ini` copied/renamed to `Fallout4.ini`
2. `Fallout4Prefs.ini` copied/renamed to `Fallout4Prefs.ini`
3. `sD3DDevice` adds to `[Display]` section in `Fallout4Prefs.ini` inlcusive identified GPU
4. `Low.ini/Medium.ini/High.ini/Ultra.ini` override `Fallout4Prefs.ini`

### Presets

For unexplained reasons it happens that certain presets settings cannot be integrated into the `Fallout4Prefs.ini`. Every time changes are made through the launcher this leads to:

* `Fallout4.ini` and `Fallout4Prefs.ini` are completely replaced.
* If present `Fallout4Custom.ini` is unaffected.

Default values can be modified. This allows active intervention in the use of presets and counteracts the annoying overwriting of unwanted commands of certain settings if you use the launcher!

* `Fallout4_Defaults.ini` modifies `Fallout4.ini`
* `Fallout4\Fallout4Prefs.ini` modifies `Fallout4Prefs.ini` (don't be confused, the preset is in another FO4 folder)

Both preset/default files contain some typos and artifacts (from previous Beth games), despite being weird these will be copied also.

## Option Menus

### Graphics Adapter and Resolution

1. ↑ Set iMaxAnisotropy to 1 while choosing Off in the options menu. The `Low.ini` preset default value is 0.
2. ↑ If full screen leads to a crash, windowed mode may lead to stabilization, try it out.

### Advanced Options

⚠️ Read the relevant references at the bottom of the table.

1. ↑ Despite the fact that this option is in the launcher, it has no use and is an artifact from previous Bethesda games. `.BA2` archive format is managing Mipmaps much more efficiently now.
2. ↑ fDirShadowDistance=quickly leads to lower FPS, especially in cities (BC), 3000 to 5000 depending on the hardware. Maybe more, try it out! fShadowDistance=no effect (probably artefact).
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Put bDecals, bSkinnedDecals, uMaxSkinDecals and uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor into `Fallout4Custom.ini` to have these options working! TYPO: change `uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor` to `uMaxSkinDecalPerActor`
4. ↑ Godrays Quality, either disable it completely or try iVolumetricLightingQuality=0
5. ↑ bSAOEnable=1 toggles ambient occlusion (AO). If NVHBAO bEnable=0 (disabled), use Screen Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO) instead!
6. ↑ NVIDIA Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion Plus (HBAO+)
7. ↑ Nvidia RTX cards: If bNVFlexEnable=1 (weapon debris), the game starts but cause a crash to desktop (CTD).

1. ↑ Presets differ from what will happen due to the actual setting, no matter what is chosen, the two parameters are always set to 999999.

## Performance Issues

*See: Troubleshooting • FAQ*

Always make a backup of your INI files first! Start with putting every setting to low in the Options menu (`Fallout4Launcher.exe`), then turn them up one by one.

Windowed Mode + Borderless: can decrease microstuttering, example:

```
[Display]
bMaximizeWindow=0
bBorderless=1
bFull Screen=0
iSize H=1080
iSize W=1920

```

### FPS Killer

The commands listed here are typical suspects. There is a whole range of other commands that have an effect on the FPS, these are not listed here for the time being.

* **Shadow Distance** – the number one issue causing low fps. Start with `fDirShadowDistance=3000`
* **Godrays Quality** – either disable it completely or try `iVolumetricLightingQuality=0`

```
[Display]
fDirShadowDistance=3000
iVolumetricLightingQuality=0

```

### Weapon Debris Crash

If `bNVFlexEnable=1`, NVIDIA RTX cards and weapon debris allow the game to start BUT cause a crash to desktop (CTD)

* Set Weapon Debris to Off
* Alternatively, use the Weapon Debris Crash Fix.

```
[NVFlex]
bNVFlexEnable=0

```

### HBAO+ Crash

If `NVHBAO bEnable=1` NVIDIA Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion Plus (HBAO+) the game can crash even with the best graphics card.

* Set Weapon Debris to Off
* Try `NVHBAO bEnable=0` (HBAO+) and keep Screen Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO) either to Off/On `bSAOEnable=0/1` and test afterwards.

```
[Display]
bSAOEnable=0/1
NVHBAO bEnable=0/1

```

## See Also

* Guide/INI Setting
* Guide/Installation
* FAQ
* Troubleshooting
* Guide/Settlement Building Limitations
* FO4Configuration by Kesta
* [Fallout 4] Useful INI Settings by InsanePlumber

## References

1. ↑ https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/User:Kesta/FO4Configuration
2. ↑ https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/Guide:Fallout4Prefs\_INI
3. ↑ https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/what-fallout-4-settings-is-everyone-else-using.2490429/
4. ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/377160/discussions/0/496881136901438149/
5. ↑ https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/fallout-4-graphics-performance-and-tweaking-guide/
6. ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/377160/discussions/0/492378265875081414/