What is an MO2 Metafile
Skip to File Downloads
MO2 (Mod Organiser 2) uses metafiles during mod and patch installation. If available, MO2 uses the metafile for the following information listed in the modlist (left pane):
- Mod/Patch name
- Category
- Version
- Description (when hovering over download)
- Mod ID which links back to the Nexus mod page
When downloading from Nexus, metafiles are automatically created in the downloads folder and named using the following format:
[download file name].[archive].meta
To see and update the categories used by MO2, go to Settings > General > Configure Mod Categories (Button at bottom). Also an fyi, there are different sets of categories for each game.
Why use MRC Metafiles
When downloading from non-Nexus sources such as personal websites, Discord servers or Github repositories, metafiles are not created. In this case, MO2 prompts for a name to use in the modlist (left pane). All additional information is left empty for the user to provide through the MO2 UI.
I have created these metafiles mostly for personal use but at times it's just because I want to support the Mod/Patch author in some very small way.
A ramble on why I use metafiles, very skippable
Organisation is the key to success, a phrase I often have a need to live by. I never install mods from anywhere but my MO2 downloads folder, as that is where they belong, full stop. Also, my downloads folder looks unbalanced with mod or patch files without matching metafiles and that irks me a little.
But seriously, I find setting up a metafile in Notepad ++ easier than working through MO2 UIs to populate the missing data. Also, when a mod or patch is updated and/or the name is changed, updating or creating a new metafile is usually just a matter of changing a few values.
Lastly, if I create it, I can share it and maybe make others' lives just that itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie bit easier for like a nano-second; every little bit helps.
How to use the Metafiles
First download the mod or patch into the MO2 downloads folder and then download the relevant corresponding mod or patch metafile.
Be sure to add the mod or patch file first as MO2 is quite aggressive in managing the downloads folder and will delete mismatched metafiles.
Initially I stored metafile download links in this spreadsheet. I plan to move those links onto MRC in the near future, but it will take some time.
Please be aware, the metafiles on this spreadsheet are using category IDs for the 2.4.x version of MO2. Some have changed in the latest release. I will update those IDs as I move them to MRC in the comming weeks.
For more information on MO2 metafiles, please see this old article of mine - Managing Non-Nexus Mods to MO2 Downloads - which I do intend to migrate here, time permitting.