How to turn off mods (go back to OG Stardew Valley)

[SteveDJ9999]

Full disclosure: I'm very novice when it comes to mods.

After playing standard Stardew Valley on a Switch for years, I got a SteamDeck a few months ago and decided to try modding. I Googled for info, and watched videos, and successfully modded to SVE. Yea! I've enjoyed playing for several months.

But now, I'd like to go back to unmodded.

Question: is it as easy as renaming that special mod folder into a different (non matching) name, thereby preventing the mods from loading? Or, do I have to formally uninstall the various mod pieces? I'd rather not have the game going through the mod hooks, even with no mods ... am I making sense here?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Quirinea]

I don't know if there is anything special with Steam (I use Linux, bought my game from GOG, and handle those manually) but you probably can either just rename the Mod folder (handy also when you wish to try different sets of mods for different saves) or uninstall SMAPI.
But start a new save! There are mods that can be removed in the middle, but ones that add or change people, areas or items are almost sure to cause a mess when removed.
(should have taken a screen capture when I opened a wrong save and found my barn in a pond... different farm mod)