Starfield, being a Bethesda Game Studios game, is better with mods. While the list of mods available is still in its infancy, if you’re playing the game on PC, it’s still worth checking out just to see how the community has improved the open-world-ish space adventure RPG.
There’s a good interface overhaul in the form of StarUI which comes highly recommended. And there are mods to make the game even cursed like having the flashlight display the face of Whiterun’s Cloud District resident Nazeem.
The Microsoft Store version of Starfield, the one included in PC Game Pass, does indeed support mods just like the Steam version. But with a catch.
Due to the way files are structured between both versions, script-extending mods using the recently-released Starfield Script Extender tool are a no-go. Not many mods are using it yet, but the more elaborate creations the uses script extenders, as seen in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 4 and more, will not be possible.
The creator of the Starfield Script Extender tool has no plans to extend its availability outside of the Steam version.
Still, mods that simply swaps files should still be available to the Microsoft Store and Game Pass version.
You can download any of these mods from sites like Nexus Mods, and follow the instructions to copy and paste the files at the right directory. Some mods have specific Xbox/Game Pass/Microsoft Store version and instructions as well due to some files being placed differently from the Steam version.
If you opt for a mod management tool like Vortex, mod support should work normally.
Did The New Starfield Update Break Mods?
Also, if you are using mods that require “Archive Invalidation“, check the Starfield.ini file again after a game update to reapply the settings, as the Microsoft Store versions will overwrite the file when installing new game updates.
Any new Starfield update for the Microsoft Store (PC Game Pass) version will overwrite the Starfield.ini, which will break mods that are using loose files. So be sure to check that first when troubleshooting and re-do Archive Invalidation.
Official mod tools, which should enable mods to add new items rather than replacing existing assets, are expected to come next year. Bethesda previously support baked-in mods through Bethesda.net which allows mods to be offered on PC and consoles.
If you want the full modding experience, the Steam copy of Starfield is still the way to go, but that doesn’t mean Game Pass players, or those that bought the game on Microsoft Store, are left out completely either.
Starfield is out now on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Check out our review of Starfield here.