How to install the Terraria tModLoader?

What is tModLoader?

The Terraria tModLoader is a program that was made so the fans of Terraria can use mods made by its community. The word "mod" is short for modifier, since downloading and using one modifies your use for ease or for a challenge. The tModLoader reads the mods so you can use it with the game and also makes it easier to find and install mods instead of going online, downloading it, and moving it to the designated folder. It also allows you to download multiple mods, and select which mods do you want to use at a time. Read the entire article before attempting to download it. There is important information.

Where can I download it?

To install the tModLoader, go to the link provided  right here, and find the download buttons. You will find it under the section with a big-yellow "DOWNLOAD" on it. Select which OS, or operating system, you are using to download it. There are three buttons, Windows, Mac, and Linux.

How do I install it?

After the zip file is downloaded, extract it, and leave it where it is for now. Then, go to your Terraria's Steam folder. Here is a possible path to find it; "Acer(C:), Program Files (x86), Steam, steamapps, common, Terraria". Go in the folder, and make a copy of your Terraria, then make a shortcut to the copy and put it at your desktop. Go back to the extracted tModLoader zip file, and copy-paste all of its contents (Not the file. It's contents.) into the Terraria folder. It will ask you if you want to replace the existing "Terraria.exe". Press yes, and it will replace regular Terraria with tModloader Terraria. Use the copy to use regular Terraria.

Before installing, should I backup my data?

Yes, you should. Go to your Terraria's documents and make a copy of your Terraria worlds and players. You need to be sure you have copies of PLR files (Players), WLD files (Worlds), and optionally the folders in the Players folder (Minimaps of each player). You do not need to make copies of the BAK files. To make it easier, make copies of the entire folder instead of going into them and making copies of each individual file. To get to these folders, go to Documents, My Games, Terraria. You should see at least 3 folders, Content, Worlds, and Players. You only need to make copies of Worlds and Players. Put the copies in a place where they probably won't be lost or corrupted, such as Dropbox or your desktop.