Hidden files, folders, and esps. Why?

[Badfrog88]

I'm sure this is explained somewhere, but I've failed to find anything doing a search.

I've followed the STEP guides for Skyrim for several installs without question. The only exception is I have always skipped anything regarding ENB as I don't use one. During my current reinstall, I've been wondering the reasoning as to why certain files and folders are hidden and certain esp files are moved to "optional". My guess for the esp is that the guide is only using the "loose" files, but I'm not sure what is in the esp that isn't wanted/needed.

The same for files & folders. Are they hidden because they deviate too much from vanilla and are not overwritten by other files or are there other reasons?

As an example, before I found STEP I always used "cabal's cut" when choosing the aMidianBorn armors. I've never taken the time to really look to see what the diffenences are between this and the sellection recomennded by step. 

I guess what I'm really asking is there a reason other than astectics that certain files, folders, and esps are hidden/disabled?

[DoubleYou]

Plugins not needed when following the guide are instructed to be moved to optional. Typically the plugin is completely overwritten by other mods in the guide, and the extra esp is just noise. Sometimes it causes issues with the setup if left enabled, and is then moved to optional.

File hides are more complicated, and are evaluated on a case by case basis. Some of the time it is to fix conflicts with other mods than aesthetics, but sometimes it is to fix bugs with the mods too. The first file hidden instruction in the guide is for Skyrim Realistic Overhaul. It is to fix a bug caused by the normal map texture missing an alpha channel causing blown out specular on objects using the texture. Sometimes a mod is added that alters a mesh that is incompatible with a texture, causing glitches.

It could be we chose to hide something simply for aesthetics too. Take the discussion around Drops, for example. And here is one from Iconic's Remastered Paragon Gems.

You can typically find the reasons for the hidden files in the forum topics for each mod, but sometimes they can be elsewhere and you may have to search for it. Typically those cases are found on the topic of a mod that conflicts, and where we have hidden the conflicting files so it appears as intended.

[Badfrog88]

Thank you for the prompt reply. I'll start looking more closely in the forums this install. I'm wanting to better understand the process so I can make more informed decisions if/when I want to deviate from the guide. 

[z929669]

1 hour ago, Badfrog88 said:

Thank you for the prompt reply. I'll start looking more closely in the forums this install. I'm wanting to better understand the process so I can make more informed decisions if/when I want to deviate from the guide. 

Keep in mind that if you want to go the the forum topic for a given mod, you should go to the wiki mod page to find the convenience link: