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Disable Automatic Mod Unloading

Launcher config Launcher shortcut Game shortcut

Overview

By default, IW4x automatically unloads mods when you leave a server that uses them. This helps to ensure a clean state for the next server and prevents server hosters from modifying the main menu. The downside is that you will have to manually load a mod to change your loadout for that specific mod. This feature can be disabled, if you run into issues remember you can always use quit in the console and restart the game to unload a mod.


Launcher config (Recommended)

Modify the launcher config file

1. Locate the launcher config file

The config file iw4x-launcher.json is located in your game directory (the same folder as your IW4x launcher).

2. Edit the config file

Open iw4x-launcher.json in a text editor (like notepad) and add -disable-mod-unloading to the args field:

{
  "update_only": false,
  "skip_self_update": false,
  "download_bonus_content": true,
  "ask_bonus_content": false,
  "force_update": false,
  "args": "-stdout -disable-mod-unloading",
  "engine": "iw4",
  "use_https": true,
  "skip_redist": false,
  "prerelease": false,
  "cdn_url": "",
  "offline": false,
  "skip_connectivity_check": false
}

Tip: If the args field already contains other arguments, simply add -disable-mod-unloading to the existing list, separated by spaces.

3. Save and restart

Save the file and run the launcher.


Launcher shortcut (Alternative)

Create a shortcut with custom arguments

1. Create a desktop shortcut

Right-click on the iw4x-launcher.exe file in your game directory and select "Create shortcut". Move the shortcut to your desktop.

2. Modify the shortcut properties

  1. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties"
  2. In the "Target" field, add --pass "-disable-mod-unloading" at the end
  3. The target should look like this:
"C:\Path\To\Your\Game\iw4x-launcher.exe" --pass "-disable-mod-unloading"

3. Use the shortcut

Use this shortcut to launch IW4x instead of the original launcher file. Mods will no longer be automatically unloaded when leaving servers.


Game shortcut (Not Recommended)

Create a shortcut directly to iw4x.exe

Warning: This method bypasses the launcher entirely, which means the game will not receive updates automatically. Only use this if you understand the implications.

1. Create a shortcut to iw4x.exe

Right-click on iw4x.exe in your game directory and select "Create shortcut". Move it to your desktop.

2. Add the argument

  1. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties"
  2. In the "Target" field, add -disable-mod-unloading at the end
  3. The target should look like this:
"C:\Path\To\Your\Game\iw4x.exe" -disable-mod-unloading

3. Use the shortcut

Use this shortcut to launch IW4x directly. Remember that you'll need to manually update the game when new versions are released.


Need Help?

If you're having trouble with any of these methods, you can:

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