How to install GTA V Legacy mods

Steps

1. Check you have Legacy. Steam lists it as *Grand Theft Auto V Legacy*, and the game folder contains GTA5.exe. If you see GTA5_Enhanced.exe, use the [Enhanced guide](/gta-v-enhanced/install/) instead: most Legacy mods don't work there.
2. Back up first. Copy your saves from Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA V\Profiles. Note your build (right-click GTA5.exe › Properties › Details › Product version) and compare it with the build on [this page's verdict](/gta-v-legacy/).
3. Plan for patch days. GTA V must be on the latest build to start, so you can't hold an update back for long. In Steam, set GTA V Legacy to update only when you launch it ([how](/guides/stop-steam-auto-updates/)), and when a patch lands, play unmodded until [the verdict](/gta-v-legacy/) says Script Hook V supports the new build.
4. Install Script Hook V. Download it from GTA5-Mods.com and copy ScriptHookV.dll and dinput8.dll (the ASI loader) into the folder that holds GTA5.exe. Launch Story Mode and press F4 to check the bundled Native Trainer opens.
5. Add Script Hook V .NET if a mod needs it. Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 and the Visual C++ redistributable, then copy Community Script Hook V .NET's files into the game folder. C# scripts go into a scripts folder you create there.
6. Set up OpenIV for file mods. Install OpenIV, choose GTA V for Windows, then use Tools › ASI Manager to install the ASI loader and OpenIV.ASI. Create a mods folder in the game folder, and let OpenIV copy each archive you edit into it, so the original files stay untouched.
7. Add mods one at a time. Put .asi files next to GTA5.exe, .dll/.cs scripts in scripts, and replacements or add-ons inside mods exactly as each mod's readme says. Launch between mods, so you know which one broke something.
8. Add limit adjusters for big packs. Large add-on vehicle, weapon or map packs can hit the game's built-in limits. Install Packfile Limit Adjuster and HeapAdjuster before you add dozens of packs.

Common pitfalls

• Taking mods into GTA Online. Script Hook V closes the game when you try, but other mods don't. Rockstar can ban accounts for modding Online. Remove or rename dinput8.dll and your mods folder before playing Online.
• BattlEye. If BattlEye is turned on for GTA V, ASI mods won't load. Turn it off in the Rockstar Games Launcher's settings for GTA V before playing modded Story Mode.
• Editing the original archives. Edit files only inside the mods folder. A Steam verify then restores the originals instead of downloading the whole game again.
• Enhanced builds of mods. A mod labelled *Enhanced only* won't load on Legacy. Check the mod page says Legacy, or both.

Common errors and fixes

• "Critical error. Unknown game version" from Script Hook V. The game updated and Script Hook V doesn't support the new build yet. Wait for its update (the verdict](/gta-v-legacy/) turns Safe when it ships), or play without mods by moving dinput8.dll out of the folder. Source: [Script Hook V's page.
• ERR_FIL_PACK_1 on launch. You have more archives than the game allows. Install Packfile Limit Adjuster. Source: Packfile Limit Adjuster.
• ERR_MEM_EMBEDDEDALLOC_ALLOC crash. Too many add-ons for the game's memory heap. Install HeapAdjuster and raise the heap in its ini. Source: HeapAdjuster.
• C# scripts do nothing. Script Hook V .NET or its .NET Framework prerequisite is missing, or the script targets a different SHVDN version. Check ScriptHookVDotNet.log in the game folder. Source: Community Script Hook V .NET.

Rolling back

• Steam has no older branch for GTA V Legacy, and the game must be up to date to start, so you can't roll the game back. Wait for Script Hook V to catch up.
• To play unmodded meanwhile, move dinput8.dll, your .asi files and the scripts folder out of the game folder. Your mods folder only loads through OpenIV.ASI, so it stays inactive.
• If files are damaged, run Steam › Properties › Installed Files › Verify integrity of game files. It doesn't touch the mods folder.