How to Create a Clean Install

The information in this Wiki Page applies to T:ANE, TRS19, TRS22 and Trainz Plus. It describes how to set up one (or more) alternative User Data Folders that can contain different sets of installed assets from a bare minimum (built-in and base assets only) to various specialist installs.

What is a "Clean Install"

	A Clean Install is a User Data Folder that contains only those assets that were originally installed with your version of Trainz
	There will be no assets that are Installed from DLS, Payware, Packaged or Modified but these can be added

A Clean Install will create a User Data Folder that is identical to the one that existed immediately after you first installed your current version of Trainz.

It will contain only assets that are:- Base and Built-in for the version of Trainz that you have installed. There will be NO assets that are:- installed from the DLS (or anywhere else) installed as part of DLC Payware created by you ... but you can still add assets to the new install.

Notes: the new User Data Folder you create will NOT delete your current User Data Folder but will be a completely separate install and can be on a different drive you can add new assets (from the DLS, DLC, your own creations) so it will become an "Alternate" User Data Folder depending on your available storage space you can have many "Alternate" User Data Folders installed and can switch Trainz back-and-forth between them as often as you like only those assets in your currently selected and active "Alternate" User Data Folder will be available for use in Trainz

Setting Up the New User Data Folder

Steps:
1	Create a Destination Folder for the New User Data Install Steps: Open Windows File Explorer In Windows 10 and 11 you will find the File Explorer on the Task Bar at the bottom of the screen.  Left Click  on the folder icon to launch File Explorer Navigate to the Selected Location In File Explorer navigate to the drive and parent folder where the new User Data Folder will be placed. Create the folder using a name of your choice (e.g. F:\Trainz Plus\UserData)
2	Start Trainz
3	Open Trainz Settings From the Trainz Launcher select  Trainz Settings
4	Open Install  Left Click  on the Install tab This will display the drive, folder and filename of the current User Data Folder which will be shown under the label Local data folder
5	Copy and Save the Current Folder Address  Strongly Recommended but not Compulsory  Steps: Copy the Folder Address  Left Click  inside the box containing the address details then highlight and copy (press the  Ctrl  +  A  keys then the  Ctrl  +  C  keys). The address will be copied to your systems clipboard Create a Text File to Store the Folder Address Use Notepad or another text editor to create a text file and paste into it the copied address of the original User Data Folder. Save it for future reference
6	Point Trainz to the New User Data Folder Steps:  Left Click  on the [...] button next to the folder address box navigate to the new folder you created in Step:  1  above  Left Click  on the Select Folder button Make sure that you add the address of your new User Data Folder to the text file that was recommended in Step  5  above. Again, this is for future reference.
7	Close the Trainz Settings Window You will be shown a message asking for a restart.  Left Click   OK  to acknowledge it.
8	Close the Trainz Launcher Dropping you back to the Windows desktop.
9	Restart Trainz Launcher You may get a dialogue window asking you to set your display options (Ultra, etc). If so select one to suit.
10	Start Trainz Select the  Start Trainz  option from the Launcher

On starting Trainz will scan the selected User Data Folder and discover that it is empty. It will then copy all the default assets (the Built-in and Base assets) from its install files into the new User Data Folder

Switching Between User Data Folders

	You can switch Trainz between your seperate User Data Folders at any time
	Only those assets installed in your currently selected User Data Folder will be available for use in Trainz

Once you have set up an alternative User Data Folder or Folders you can easily switch between them and the original at any time.

Steps:
1	Open the Trainz Settings Install Tab (A repeat of Steps  2 ,  3  and  4  in the section above) Steps: Start Trainz Open Trainz Settings From the Trainz Launcher select  Trainz Settings  Open Install  Left Click  on the Install tab This will display the drive, folder and filename of the current User Data Folder which will be shown under the label Local data folder
2	Navigate to the Alternative User Data Folder Steps:  Left Click  on the [...] button next to the folder address box navigate to the alternative User Data Folder you are going to use The text file containing the addresses of all your User Data Folders ( you did save it, didn't you? ) will remind you where they are located  Left Click  on the Select Folder button. The new User Data Folder will be selected in the Settings - Install Tab
3	Close the Trainz Settings Window You will be shown a message asking for a restart.  Left Click   OK  to acknowledge it.
4	Close the Trainz Launcher Dropping you back to the Windows desktop.
5	Restart Trainz Launcher You may get a dialogue window asking you to set your display options (Ultra, etc). If so select one to suit.
6	Start Trainz Select the  Start Trainz  option from the Launcher

On starting Trainz will open the User Data Folder (you may see a Database Repair scan) and you will have normal access to all of its installed assets. This access includes installing new assets (from DLS, DLC, .cdp files or creating new assets yourself), deleting assets and modifying/cloning existing assets. The changes you make will not affect any other User Data Folders that you may have created.

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This page was created by Trainz user pware in November 2023 and was last updated as shown below.

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