How To Enable Using Mods?

Ok, I've done it before but its been a long time so I need a refresh. I looked for a topic on this matter but couldn't find one. I just downloaded TA:K so lets same I'm a noob and explain with pictures or video what all I need to do to be able to play with mods, added on races, ect and so on. I remember having to create a file called Mods downloading a switcher. Please be as thorough as possible so that this topic can be stickied for everyone in the future as a quick reference on how to get mods.

It's pretty simple. Download the mod file and place it in the mods folder. Then, open tak switcher and click on the mods tab. Double click the name of the mod that you want to select. Finally, press enter or click on "launch ta:kingdoms".

You can find a video made by Arthan on how to use the tak switcher here: http://kingdoms.heavenforum.org/t1170-video-tak-switcher-tutorial

I was looking for a bit more detail, screen shots. by Mod file do you mean new era? frankly its simple for you beause you have vast knowledge but for some of us that don't pictures and actual direction work better. besides download the mod file (vauge whats mod file) place it in mods folder (don't see this mods folder) open TAK switch (new person isn't gonna have a clue what this is) nor did it come in the link you had me download the game from. How to use the switcher I feel is for a different topic. This is just all the technical stuff that needs to be done to be able to play new era or if I wanted to play as the azurians or something. So SS one could be a picture of where to get the switcher from (address bar in ss and arrow pointing to or circle around the place you click to download) SS2-A-D installing switcher pictures. SS3 view of you C;Cavedog/Kingdoms folder creating a new folder called Mods with an arrow pointing to or a circle around the file you're creating. SS 4 placing your downloaded files into file you created Mod file. ect and so on till complete.

the files are in www.alltakdownloads.6te.net (go downloads then ctrl+f for mods)

i think you don't even need tak switcher, remove kingdoms.key from your kingdoms folder, and move the mod file there (to the kingdoms folder, not mods folder). for races it might be different, not sure. but in this way, it's probably just one mod at a time. move kingdoms.key back to kingdoms folder when you don't want mod anymore.

The patch 4.1bb comes with the tak switcher already. You can find it in the main tak folder.

Mods usually come with instructions, and if you can't figure it out, then all you do is place the .hpi mod file in the mods folder to make it work.