Fallout 4 Update 110 163 May 2026
Buried inside Fallout 4 Update 1.10.163 was a new series of Creation Club quests titled "Echoes of the Past." While free, this content injected 2.3GB of new assets into the base game, including:
Players quickly realized that these quests triggered automatically at level 10, overwriting vanilla spawns and filling the glowing sea with overpowered Enclave troops that killed low-level characters instantly. Update 1.10.163 made the wasteland deadlier, but not in a fun way.
No Bethesda update launches without controversy, and Fallout 4 update 1.10.163 was no exception. In fact, the community backlash was so severe that Bethesda had to release a beta patch (1.10.164) just weeks later.
Here are the major issues introduced by 1.10.163:
Final recommendation:
If you’re modding Fallout 4 in 2026, do not use 1.10.163 unless forced by a very old mod list. Either update to the latest version or downgrade to a stable “pre-next-gen” build (1.10.163 is unstable for modern modding).
Released on December 4, 2019, Fallout 4 update 1.10.163 served as a legacy, PC-only update designed for Creation Club support. It long functioned as the stable "gold standard" for the modding community, with many users employing downgraders to maintain compatibility with the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) following later, breaking updates. Detailed patch notes and history are available at Fallout Wiki.
community, Update 1.10.163 is widely regarded as the "Gold Standard" version of the game. Originally released in December 2019, it served as the final stable build before the "Next-Gen" and "Anniversary Edition" updates, which significantly disrupted the existing modding ecosystem. Key Technical Details Release Date: December 2019.
New Content: The primary addition was the Virtual Workshops Creation Club item, which allows players to build in exotic VR landscapes like the Capital Wasteland's GNR Plaza and Atomic Crater.
Stability: It is considered the most stable version for heavy modding, as it predates major engine changes that broke compatibility with Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) and other critical plugins. Why the Community Stays on 1.10.163
While newer updates (like 1.10.980 or the Anniversary Edition) introduced native ultrawide support and new Creation Club content, they also introduced bugs like VATS accuracy issues and NPC face-gen stuttering. As a result, many veteran players use tools like the Fallout 4 Downgrader on Nexus Mods to return to version 1.10.163.
Mod Compatibility: Extensive mod collections and core frameworks like AWKCR and Homemaker were built specifically for this version and may not function correctly on newer builds.
GOG Version: The version of Fallout 4 sold on GOG is permanently set to 1.10.163, making it a popular choice for users who want to avoid forced updates on Steam.
Fallout: London: This massive total conversion mod explicitly recommends version 1.10.163 for optimal stability and compatibility. How to Check or Revert Your Version fallout 4 update 110 163
Check Version: Launch the game and look at the bottom right corner of the Settings menu.
Downgrading: If you are on a newer Steam version, you can use the Steam Console or community-made patchers from sites like Nexus Mods to roll back your installation.
Prevent Updates: To keep your 1.10.163 build, set Fallout 4 to "Only update this game when I launch it" in Steam and always launch the game via the F4SE loader.
Are you planning to install a specific mod collection or the Fallout: London expansion that requires this version?
update 1.10.163 is widely considered the "gold standard" for PC players who prioritize a stable, heavily modded experience. Originally released in December 2019, it was the final major version of the "Old-Gen" era before the 2024 Next-Gen updates began altering the game's executable and breaking key community tools. 🛠️ The Ultimate Modding Baseline
While Bethesda has released several "Next-Gen" updates (versions 1.10.980 and later), version 1.10.163 remains the preferred choice for many for several reasons:
F4SE Compatibility: The Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) and its dependent plugins (like LooksMenu or Buffout 4) are perfectly calibrated for this version.
Total Conversions: Major projects like Fallout: London specifically require version 1.10.163 to run correctly.
Stability: Unlike the Next-Gen versions, which introduced new bugs such as NPC-related stuttering and broken widescreen support, 1.10.163 is viewed as the most "bug-free" base version.
GOG Native: The version currently sold on GOG.com is 1.10.163 by default, as GOG requires higher stability benchmarks than the current Steam Next-Gen builds provide. 🔄 How to Downgrade (Steam)
If your Steam version has automatically updated to the Next-Gen build, you can revert to 1.10.163 using these methods:
Steam Console: Use the steam://nav/console command to manually download the old "depot" files (the core game data). Buried inside Fallout 4 Update 1
Simple Fallout 4 Downgrader: A community tool available on Nexus Mods that automates the file replacement process.
Preventing Updates: Once downgraded, you must set the game to "Only update when I launch it" and always start the game via the f4se_loader.exe to bypass Steam’s auto-updater. 🎁 What was in the Original 1.10.163?
While it is now used as a legacy base, the original December 2019 patch included:
Virtual Workshop: A Creation Club item allowing players to build in exotic "VR" landscapes like the Capital Wasteland.
Creation Club Content: Support for various skins and settlement items released during that holiday season.
Bug Fixes: Stability improvements for issues introduced in the preceding November 2019 patch.
Are you looking to set up a specific mod list like Fallout: London, or are you just trying to get your old mods working again? I can help you with specific downgrade steps or recommend essential fix mods for this version.
and the Next-Gen update—many players are deliberately choosing to stay on, or even downgrade to, version 1.10.163. This specific version, released on December 4, 2019, has become widely regarded by the community as the most stable and compatible build for extensive modding. What Was in the 1.10.163 Update?
The 1.10.163 update was a minor but significant patch primarily focused on the Creation Club. Key features included:
Virtual Workshops: A major addition allowing players to travel to new VR landscapes (like Grid World, Atomic Crater, and the Capital Wasteland's GNR Plaza) from the comfort of their settlements.
New Workshop Items: The update bundled 40 new items, including placeable enemy spawners for custom encounters.
Bug Fixes & Stability: Minor fixes to general game stability and the Bethesda.net interface were also included. Why Version 1.10.163 Matters Now No Bethesda update launches without controversy, and Fallout
Despite its age, 1.10.163 is currently the standard for players who prioritize a stable modded experience for several reasons: How to downgrade Fallout 4 back to 1.10.163
In the evolving history of Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic RPG, Fallout 4 update 1.10.163 stands as a critical landmark for the PC modding community. Originally released in late 2019, this version became the "Gold Standard" for stability and mod compatibility, particularly after the controversial "Next-Gen" updates that followed years later. What Was Included in Update 1.10.163?
While often categorized as a minor patch, version 1.10.163 was primarily focused on expanding the Creation Club ecosystem and improving underlying game stability.
Virtual Workshops: The headline feature was the addition of Virtual Workshops. This allowed players to travel to new VR landscapes—such as Grid World, Atomic Crater, and Desert Island—from the comfort of their settlements, offering limitless resources and higher building limits.
Stability & Bug Fixes: Bethesda addressed minor Fallout 4 patches related to mod management and general game stability on PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
ESL Support: It continued the support for the .esl file format, which is vital for players who want to install hundreds of mods without hitting the traditional 255-plugin limit. Why Modders Still Use 1.10.163 Today
Despite the release of the "Next-Gen" update (version 1.10.1984 and later), a large portion of the community refuses to move past 1.10.163.
F4SE Compatibility: The Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) is the backbone of most complex mods. F4SE version 0.6.23 is the specific build required for game version 1.10.163. Many essential mods, like LooksMenu or Place Everywhere, were built for this specific runtime and may not function perfectly on newer versions.
Fallout: London: The massive total conversion mod Fallout: London famously launched with a requirement to downgrade the game to 1.10.163 to ensure all its custom scripts worked correctly.
Stability: The GOG version of the game is permanently locked to version 1.10.163, making it the most stable "out-of-the-box" experience for those who want to avoid the broken UI elements and mod conflicts found in the Next-Gen patch. How to Manage Your Version
If you are looking to mod your game or play large projects like Fallout: London, you may need to navigate versioning carefully.
Within 48 hours, a tool called the “Fallout 4 Downgrader” (created by modder GhostDock on Nexus Mods) became the most downloaded file on the entire site. It allowed users to revert Update 1.10.163 back to version 1.10.163 "Steam Beta" or the prior 1.10.162. This split the community into two camps: "Next-Gen Natives" and "Downgraded Purists."
