Oblivion BSA Decompressor
⚪ Last updated 2023⚠️ Install Order · 2 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 1.7% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #19 of 86 Utilities mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
BSA files are archives used to store game assets, they can be both compressed and uncompressed. Back when Oblivion was released in 2006 for old generation consoles the overall size occupied by the game mattered so vanilla BSA archives use zlib compression to reduce overall assets size on the disk. However, assets need to be decompressed by the game on the go which takes extra time leading to longer loading times and additional stutter when moving in exterior worldspaces while cells being loaded in background.
BSA Decompressor recreates BSA archives without zlib compression, so the game is limited only by your hardware disk system performance. All vanilla assets remain in uncompressed BSA archives.
Run decompressor and point it to the Oblivion GOTY installation (which includes Shivering Isles expansion).
If you later verify Oblivion files in Steam, you need to run decompressor again because Steam will redownload original compressed archives.
Performance comparison:
Additionally, average loading speed decreased by 0. 6 seconds. (Will vary per hardware)
Test methodology:
- Framerate - 3 2-minute runs per variant, using the Benchmark mod.
- Loading speed - 10 runs per variant, loading the same save from a fresh launch of the game.
Testing by VishVadeva
Related mods:
Fallout: New Vegas BSA Decompressor
Oblivion BSA Decompressor is a utility that decompresses Oblivion's BSA archives to reduce loading times and stuttering. With over 2,500 endorsements and 153,000 downloads, it's a proven tool for players seeking smoother performance. Last updated in March 2023, it remains a go-to for optimizing Oblivion.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Community-approved with 2,538 endorsements and 153k downloads – this is a staple for Oblivion players.
- Directly tackles loading stutter, a common annoyance in Oblivion, by decompressing BSAs.
- Recent update (March 2023) shows the author still cares about compatibility.
⚠️ Cons
- Requires manual file placement or mod manager knowledge; not a one-click installer.
- Decompressing BSAs increases disk space usage, so be ready to sacrifice some GBs.
For Oblivion players who are tired of long loading screens and stutter, especially those with many mods. If you're a modder or power user comfortable with file manipulation, this is a must-have. Skip if you're on a low-storage system or prefer a simple drag-and-drop install.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Back up your original BSA files before decompressing – you'll need them if you ever want to revert.
- Use a mod manager like Wrye Bash or OBMM to handle the decompressed files, as manual placement can be tricky.
- After decompressing, check your load order – some mods may expect compressed BSAs, so test for conflicts.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Oblivion Mods
- Author
- zilav
- Version
- 1.1
- Downloads
- 153,196
- Endorsements
- 2,538
- Category
- Utilities
- Created
- 10/2/2019
- Updated
- 3/30/2023
🔧 How to Install Oblivion Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Oblivion →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
🎮 Need cheat codes or console commands? Check ur gaming wiki for Oblivion commands, item IDs, and more.
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