[Guide] How to create and configure a separate folder for FM files.

[Bigpole]

Hi everyone, tired of constant problems with FM user files, I've decided to create this small guide on how to create a separate folder for football manager add-ons.

What is great about this method is that it will serve you for years (works me for a few years without any problems), and it keeps all the files in one place, so it's easier to navigate and update graphics for newer versions.

This guide is for Windows and Steam users, so I can't tell if this works on other platforms/OS.

 

1. You need to create a specific folder for FM files - name it whatever you like. Mine was called Football Manager 2020

 

2. Open your Steam

• Go to Library
• Click right on FM and click Properties   

 

• In general menu, scroll down till you see Launch Options

 

 

3. Here, you set specific folder for Football Manager to load additional files from.

Because mine is named Football Manager 2020, I've put:  --user_data_location="G:\Football Manager 2020"

If your folder is created in different location, simply copy the line above and rename it to match your folder name.

 

This way, the game will always load any user additional files from this location. Any editor data, any graphics, skins, tactics, views, will be loaded from this location exactly.

So this created folder looks inside like a normal FM user data folder.

 

5. Now we launch FM to check if this folder is set properly in game, click on preferences in FM main menu

 

6. Type location in search and check if the right folder shows up

 

7. All is good. Sometimes the graphics may not show in game, the simple solution is to click on reset in left down corner and select Clear Cache.

This option below should be ticked as well.

Then, just click confirm . You can click Reload skin button as well (it's next to Confirm button).

 

8. Wait few seconds, your skin will reload, and everything should be configured fine.

 

Few screenshots on how it looks on my disk and in game

Quick glance at graphics

 

Quick glance at editor data

Files are from FM23 so can't be loaded in FM24, thus the triangle warnings. Any league subscribed in workshop will be shown here as well.

 

If you have any questions, please ask.

[Roy Race 9]

Hi 

Thanks for this guide excellent idea

couple of questions 

1.Can you have more than one launch option- I have this set in launch option -small_screen -windowed

so can I add another option as your above?

2. Can I just direct  FM24 to the FM23 folders, or do I have to set up a folder and move everything I want to use there initially 

Cheers

 

[Bigpole]

On 07/12/2023 at 01:16, Roy Race 9 said:

Hi 

Thanks for this guide excellent idea

couple of questions 

1.Can you have more than one launch option- I have this set in launch option -small_screen -windowed

so can I add another option as your above?

2. Can I just direct  FM24 to the FM23 folders, or do I have to set up a folder and move everything I want to use there initially 

Cheers

 

1. Haven't tested this to be fair, so feel free to try yourself.

2. You can create a new folder, or you can choose an already made folder, it doesn't really matter as long as files inside the folder are fm files and the location in the launch option is correct.

[Roy Race 9]

5 minutes ago, Bigpole said:

1. Haven't tested this to be fair, so feel free to try yourself.

2. You can create a new folder, or you can choose an already made folder, it doesn't really matter as long as files inside the folder are fm files and the location in the launch option is correct.

Thank you for the reply

I will be able to try on Monday as I am away for a few days

cheers