MO2 Storage Optimizer

Where this came from

This isn't a brand new idea thrown together overnight. The Skyrim-specific version of this tool has been live on Nexus since 18 July 2025, going through two iterations:

- MO2 Conflict Manager — the original, released July 2025. Focused on conflict cleaning.

- Skyrim MO2 Storage Optimizer — the expanded version, adding hardlinking, Hoarder Mode, and the 1-click wizard.

If you want to see how it's worked out for real users before trying this version, the posts section of MO2 Conflict Manager  and Skyrim MO2 Storage Optimizer have user feedback from people who've run it on their setups.

This version is the natural next step — the same core engine, cleaned up and made game-agnostic.

So what does it actually do?

It finds files that are byte-for-byte identical across your mods and replaces duplicates with NTFS hardlinks — a Windows filesystem feature that lets multiple filenames point to the same physical data on disk. Your load order, virtual filesystem, and filenames stay exactly the same from MO2's perspective, but the duplicate data stops taking up space.

Identification is hash-based: files are first grouped by size (fast, no disk reads), then any size matches get an XXHash64 content hash computed. If the hashes match, the content is identical regardless of filename — those files get hardlinked. This is more reliable than filename or filesize matching.

The optimization runs as up to 4 configurable steps, each one optional and toggleable in settings:

1. Game Root Hardlinking — deduplicates your Stock Game folder against a clean reference copy of the game.

2. Mods Folder Hardlinking — deduplicates identical assets across all your mod directories.

3. Overwritten Conflict Cleaner — removes files that are fully hidden by higher-priority mods in your active profile and will never load in-game.

4. Meta.ini Tagging — optionally backs up your MO2 mod notes and category colors before any changes are made.

Every step can be run independently or skipped entirely. Nothing is permanent — all operations are logged and fully reversible.

What games does it support?

It works with any game managed by Mod Organizer 2 — not just Bethesda titles.

That said, I only personally tested it with Skyrim Special Edition. Fallout 4 support is included based on research into its file structure, but I don't play the game so I haven't verified it hands-on. For other games, support depends on a game profile JSON being available.

Want to add your game?

Game profiles are simple JSON files that tell the tool which file extensions and folders to target. If you want to add support for a game you play, create a profile and upload it to Nexus Mods. Once in a while I'll check in and add links to community-made profiles right here in this description, so everyone benefits.

There's no formal submission process — just upload it and let me know, so that I can link the mod here.

The numbers

- Single modlist: Typically 10 GB–40 GB saved, depending on size and mod overlap.

- Hoarder Mode across 4 modlists (1. 1 TB total): Reclaimed 161. 5 GB, bringing total usage down to ~940 GB.

- Running alongside VRAMr: Savings go even higher due to heavy texture overlap.

🚀 How to use it

One-Click Optimizer — for a single modlist

1. Paste your MO2 profile path into the field. The other paths fill in automatically.

2. Hit Start One-Click Optimization.

3. The wizard walks you through each stage — accept or skip whatever you want.

Modlist Hoarder Mode — for multiple modlists of the same game on the same drive

1. Open the Modlist Hoarder Mode tab.

2. Add your mod folder and/or Stock Game paths, one per line.

3. Click Deduplicate Hashed Assets Across Lists.

4. Review the estimated savings, then confirm.

Reverting and restoring

Every operation can be undone. Hardlinks can be broken back into independent copies. Conflict-cleaned files are logged and r