Recently got Windows 7 and before I reinstalled Oblivion and start modding it out I wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting my time. Is everything stable with running all the mods in Windows 7 (32-bit)? Or am I going to have to install all kinds of compatibility stuff?

I'm running WIndows 7 x64, and everything works fine for me :shrug: I turned off UAC on principle, but even before I did that, I hadn't any issues. Some people have done, however, so just make sure to install the game outside of your Program Files directory. The most common place is C:\Games. Good luck!

This. Except I didn't turn UAC off, personally I think it's fine with it on.

No compatibility stuff needed. Best install advice is to install outside of Program Files. Leaving UAC on is a good idea. The operating system really runs well and handles games just peachy.

gothemasticator

Oops... why not install in the Program Files directory? That's what I did and it's running just fine.

What's UAC?

It may cause problems with some mods. Although that has not been my experience. UAC stands for User Account Control.

Would that explain why I'm getting a pop-up message as a "limited user" whenever I try to launch OBMM?

Probably. You can tell Oblivion to run as an Administrator to get around that kind of thing I believe, or disable UAC. But it's best, and most secure to just install outside of C:\Program Files. Reason for this is that Windows sees that directory as protected and won't allow changes to it without confirmation or elevated rights. So, for example, if you try to make a mod and save the ESP file...first time it'll work, but if you try to edit it later it will be locked because you're now making a change. (That's what I've heard, at least. Never ran into the problem myself, as I tend to use a secondary (mirrored) drive for games I mod.)

I'm running Windows 7 (x64) with Oblivion installed on a secondary drive and it works perfectly, with and without mods.

UAC is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control.

The reason to not install into "Program Files" is because Windows tends to undo changes you make to stuff in there manually. For most programs that don't change it's fine, but once you start putting mods in they can disappear.

Dragon Age: Origins actually installs mods in the user's folder to get around this limitation.

Learning to use new OS features properly is better then any noob shortcut installing to the root directory. Telling an exe to run as admin isn't hard an neither is editing the User account to have write and modify access in program files. (right click properties anyone?) Steam does this automatically, +1 to valve for staying current with changing technology.

I used to think this, too. But, installing Oblivion outside of Program Files because you intend to mod it makes good organizational sense. The operating system is set up to protect Program Files from the kinds of changes that mod users intend to make. So, rather than a cheap work around, installing outside of Program Files is actually good operating system sense.

In addition, it has been my unvarying experience that it is harder for the non-tech inclined to learn how to correctly use the UAC than it is for them to learn to install mods.

gothemasticator

Yeah, 64bit with UAC on going to C:\Games\ alongside the obse crash prevention mod is 20 times better than my experience in the old days on windows XP. I must say that the crash prevention mod is gold. It's a necessary must.

Thanks for the responses, I'll do just that.