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Where Do I Drop ReShade Presets?

Copy the ReShade preset .ini into the game’s main folder—usually where its executable is—then choose it in ReShade’s in-game interface.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Put the downloaded ReShade preset’s .ini file in the game’s main folder, usually the folder containing the game’s executable (.exe). Then launch the game, open ReShade’s in-game interface, and select the preset.

Where the preset file goes

Extract the download if it is a ZIP archive, then copy the preset’s .ini file into the main directory for the game ReShade is installed in. ReShade’s official forum FAQ says to put a downloaded preset in the game folder: ReShade’s preset and folder FAQ. In most installations, the game folder means the directory containing the game’s executable. The exact path varies by game and launcher.

For example, if the game starts from ExampleGame.exe in a folder, put the preset .ini alongside that executable unless the preset creator specifies another location. A third-party installation guide also describes placing the file in the game’s main directory and selecting it in ReShade’s menu: ReShade Manager’s installation guide.

How to load the preset in-game

  1. Extract the downloaded archive, if needed, and locate the preset .ini file.
  2. Find the game’s main directory, typically the folder containing its executable.
  3. Copy the .ini file into that directory, unless the preset creator gives different placement instructions.
  4. Start the game, open ReShade’s in-game interface, and choose the preset from its preset selector.

ReShade describes presets as .ini files created through its in-game interface and used to share configurations: ReShade’s official homepage.

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Preset files are not shader folders

The preset is the configuration file; shader and texture files are separate. Some presets depend on shader or texture packages, so copying the .ini alone may not provide every effect. ReShade’s FAQ discusses preset placement separately from shader and texture folders: ReShade’s folder FAQ. Follow the preset creator’s instructions for any additional files or a nonstandard layout.

If the preset does not appear

  • Confirm the extracted .ini is in the directory ReShade is using—usually the game’s executable folder.
  • Open the preset selector while the game is running and check for the file there.
  • Check the download instructions for required shader or texture files, and install those separately if needed.

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