Oblivion Mod:Plugin Cleaning

This is another case where it is safer for modders and more experienced users to do the job themselves. However, TES4Edit's function, "Undelete and Disable References" is pretty safe, and it helps alleviate a problem that is a known source of crashes. That is a function for everyone. Warning!!! Not all "Identical to Master" records should be removed!

F.A.Q

Q: How many plugins can I clean at the same time?
A: One.
>> Note: Make sure it loads last.

Q: What else do I need to load, when cleaning a plugin?
A: Load all explicit (in the file header) dependencies and implicit (intended to load with) dependencies.
>> Note: Plugins that often have implicit dependencies are compatibility patches, especially landscape patches.
>> Tip: It is good practice to just manually select all dependencies, in order to avoid forgetting any.

Q: Is it always safe to use "Undelete and Disable References" (even on "do not clean" mods?)
A: Yes. There have not been any problems reported so far...

Q: Is it always safe to use "Remove Identical to Masters" (even on "dirty" mods?)
A: No, especially not when it comes to patches.

Q: Does using "Undelete and Disable References" and "Remove Identical to Masters" completely clean a plugin?
A: No. A number of mods have "wild" edits, where it makes changes to things unrelated to its purpose.

Quick Steps to Clean A Plugin

>> Warning!!! Do not have any mod groups checked (if the relevant dialog box appears) when doing plugin cleaning.

1. Launch TES4Edit.exe (It has a pretty nondescript icon along the bottom of Bash's window.)
2. Right-click in the first window (listing your installed plugins) and choose "unselect all"
3. Check the ONE plugin you want to clean and all mods it is expected to load with (i.e., plugins it patches)
   1. The plugin should be the latest loading plugin checked.
   2. TES4Edit automatically loads a plugins dependencies.
4. Click OK until you are looking at the main screen. (TES4Edit will start loading the plugins' resources.)
5. Once it is done loading (a message will be displayed in the right pane) right-click on the plugin and choose "apply filter."
6. In the apply filter menu, make sure only "conflict inherited by masters" is checked, then click apply
7. Once the filter is done, right-click on the plugin and choose remove identical to master records
8. Right-click on the plugin again and choose "undelete and disable references"
9. Click the X button and TES4Edit will prompt you if any changes were made to the plugin. If it prompts you, make sure only the plugin you intended to change is checked and click OK.
   • TES4Edit automatically creates backups of edited plugins which can be found in the Data folder.
10. Create a new project (folder) in the Bash Installers folder called "Cleaned Plugins" and drop all of your cleaned plugins in it. Create subfolders (i.e., "Quests," "Tweaks," etc.) if you want to make it more organized.