Free Guide to Installing BepInEx on Your Game

What BepInEx Is and Why Modders Use It

BepInEx is a framework that allows you to modify games by loading custom code and plugins while the game runs. Think of it as a toolbox that sits between your game and your computer's operating system, letting modders inject their creations into the game without permanently changing the game's original files. The name stands for "Bepis In-game Explorer and eXtensions," created by a developer known as willis on GitHub.

The framework works by hooking into how games start up. When you launch a game with BepInEx installed, the framework loads first and prepares the environment for plugins to work. These plugins are small programs written by the modding community that can change anything from character appearances to game mechanics, add new features, or fix bugs that the original developers left behind. BepInEx supports games built on the Unity engine, which powers thousands of modern games across different genres.

BepInEx gained popularity because it's more stable than many older modding tools. It keeps the original game files intact, which means you can remove it and return to the vanilla game state without complications. Many popular games like Valheim, Lethal Company, Risk of Rain 2, and Outward use BepInEx for their modding communities. The framework is open-source, meaning anyone can see how it works and contribute improvements.

The community around BepInEx has created thousands of plugins that extend functionality far beyond what the base game offers. Some plugins improve graphics, others add quality-of-life features like better inventory systems, and still others introduce entirely new gameplay mechanics. Understanding how to install BepInEx is the first step toward accessing this ecosystem.

Practical Takeaway: Before installing BepInEx, verify that your specific game supports it by checking community forums, the game's subreddit, or mod websites like Nexus Mods. Not every game can use BepInEx, and installing it on an unsupported game won't work and may cause confusion.

System Requirements and Compatibility Considerations

BepInEx itself has minimal system requirements because it's designed to be lightweight. Your computer needs to run the game already, and if it does, it can almost certainly run BepInEx. The framework works on Windows, Linux, and macOS, though Windows is where most users and plugin developers focus their attention. This means you'll find the most plugins and community support for Windows installations.

The more important consideration is your game version and platform. BepInEx versions are built specifically for different game engines and architectures. Games built on Unity 2017 through current versions generally work with BepInEx, but the exact version you need depends on what your game uses. You cannot install a BepInEx version meant for one game on another game—each installation is unique to its target game. Additionally, games running on Steam, Epic Games, GOG, or other platforms typically work the same way with BepInEx, but games with aggressive anti-cheat software may block it.

Before installation, check if your game has any restrictions on modding. Some games include terms of service that prohibit modifications. While BepInEx itself doesn't provide cheating in multiplayer games, some servers may kick or ban players using it. Single-player games generally have no restrictions, but online games vary. Research your specific game's modding policy to understand what you're allowed to do.

Your user account on your computer should have administrator privileges to install BepInEx properly. The installation process requires creating folders and files in your game directory, which may be protected on standard user accounts. If you're using a work or school computer, administrative restrictions might prevent installation entirely. Verify you have the necessary permissions before starting.

Practical Takeaway: Write down your game's exact version number and engine information before beginning. You can find this in the game's properties on Steam (right-click the game, select Properties, then Local Files) or by checking the game's launcher settings. This information helps you find the correct BepInEx version and diagnose any problems later.

Finding and Obtaining the Correct BepInEx Version

BepInEx is hosted primarily on GitHub, a platform where open-source software is developed and shared. To obtain BepInEx, visit the official repository at github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx. On this page, you'll find release versions under the "Releases" section on the right side. Download the version labeled for your game's architecture—typically either x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit), with x64 being most common for modern games. Never download random files from unofficial sources; always get BepInEx from the official GitHub repository.

The release page shows different versions with dates and descriptions of changes. Stable releases are recommended for most users. These have been tested and proven to work without major issues. Development builds exist for testing new features but may contain bugs. For your first installation, download the most recent stable release that matches your game's requirements. The file you're looking for is a ZIP archive—when you open it, you'll see folders and files ready to be extracted.

Some games have community-created BepInEx packages available on mod sites like Nexus Mods or the game's modding community pages. These pre-packaged versions sometimes include popular plugins already installed, which can be convenient for new users. However, downloading from these sources means relying on someone else's setup. If you prefer learning how the system works, downloading directly from GitHub teaches you more about the installation process.

After obtaining the ZIP file, keep it saved somewhere you can access easily—your Downloads folder or a dedicated games folder works fine. Don't unzip it yet. The next step requires you to know exactly where your game is installed on your hard drive, so you can extract BepInEx files into that location. Extracting too early can lead to confusion about which files go where.

Practical Takeaway: Create a backup folder of your entire game directory before making any changes. Copy your whole game folder to a safe location on your computer. If something goes wrong during installation, you can delete the modified version and restore from backup, returning to a clean game state without reinstalling from scratch.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

The installation process begins by locating your game's root directory—the main folder containing all the game's files. On Steam, right-click your game in your library, select "Manage," then "Browse local files." This opens a folder window showing your game's contents. This is your game's root directory. You'll see folders like "Assets," "Managed," or variations depending on the game. Leave this window open; you'll need this location for the next steps.

Next, extract the BepInEx ZIP file you obtained. Right-click the ZIP archive and select "Extract All" on Windows, or use a tool like 7-Zip if you have it installed. A new folder appears containing the BepInEx contents. Inside, you'll typically see folders named "BepInEx," "doorstop_config.ini," and sometimes a "changelog.txt" file. Select all contents of this extracted folder (use Ctrl+A) and copy them. Do not copy the outer folder itself—copy only what's inside it.

Switch to your game's root directory window and paste the copied files there. Windows will ask if you want to merge folders since some folder names may already exist in your game directory. Select "Yes" to merge. The BepInEx folder and configuration files are now inside your game directory. This placement is crucial—BepInEx must be at the root level of your game, not inside other folders.

After pasting, verify the installation by checking that your game's root directory now contains a "BepInEx" folder. Inside that folder, you should see subfolders like "plugins," "patchers," "config," and "core." These folders are where plugins will go later. If you see these folders correctly placed, BepInEx has been installed properly. Your game is now ready to launch with the framework active.

Practical Takeaway: Launch your game once after installation to allow BepInEx to initialize. During this first launch, it creates additional configuration files and prepares the environment. The game may take slightly longer to start than usual. After it closes, check your game directory again—you should see a "LogOutput.log" file. This log file is useful for troubleshooting if problems occur later.

Installing and Managing Plugins