[CapnScurvy]

The SH4 folder is checked and/or created every time the game is run; and each time a new mission is started during a campaign. Although, the creation of a new mission only checks and saves some of the game files; the default options like game screen resolution, or which unit of measurement you choose are set after the initial creation of the SH4 folder. These options "carry over" to any new mission save point.

You could delete the SH4 file completely each time you return to Windows and the game will create it again and reinstate it's default settings the next time you start the game. As Highlander states, you'll lose any saved game points you may have made from an earlier game, but really, that's what you want if you've added a mod that has any UPC data modifications in it. Going back to an older saved game point that doesn't have the current UPC instructions is going to create a huge headache for the game that's expecting the files to be the same as it was when the saved point was made.

That's why modders state...."install this mod when in port". The game will create a new UPC set of instructions with a new patrol mission. If the UPC data folder have changes in them (from the installation of a new mod), the new saved point made from the start of a mission will have the changes included and "all is right with the world". If you go back to an older saved point, CTD's can be the out come, or at best, strange things will start to occur.

The UPC files are what creates the problems for a saved game point. Having them changed in mid game gets the games panties in a wad and you'll have trouble when it expects to read one thing, but it finds something else.