Cleaning up my data folder - eliminating unneeded ESP files.

[RangerElessar]

Just starting a fresh installation of the game and want to tidy up my data folder prior to mod installation. I'm hoping for a bit of feedback. 

 

One thing I typically do accomplish this is unpack most of the standard BSA files into the data folder. I'm wondering though, if I unpack the HDDLC texture BSA files, do I then need to keep their corresponding ESPs? Or can I delete them? 

 

Secondly, I'm wondering if someone can point me to a guide for combining/merging ESPs from the same mod. For example, since I know exactly which mods I'll be using I'd rather not have 7 ESPs for the mod Even Better Quest Objectives (1 main and 6 patches). Can I merge them?

 

Any help is received with genuine gratitude. 

[Aiyen]

No loose texture and mesh files do not require an .esp. The .esp is only required to access the .bsa archive.

 

Yes you can combine them... manually. So if you are not proficient with tes5edit then you might want to start out with something simpler. Also it depends on the complexity of the mod. As for a guide then here.

[RangerElessar]

After a quick glance through that guide it looks to be exactly what I need. Thank you most kindly for a prompt response and comprehensively helpful information!