It would be as if Microsoft was accessing your computer and started deleting all your important word/excel documents without any warning. So why should having mods dissapearing on steam workshop profile pages, also remove the mod files in the data folder in the progress on already existing users of said mod?

It makes sense that ONLY auto-updates should affect the mod files in the data folder, but again we are missing a 'prevent auto-update feature' aswell. This is a technical issue, regarding the system of how modding have been implemented in steam workshop, which shouldn't be overlooked. Those mod files in the data folder, should just stay there untouched, until the user decides when to uninstall it or given a chance to make a backup. The way the steam workshop operates with no regards to the user whatsoever, with consequenses of Corrupting save-files and crashes is not acceptable. Just because a mod gets removed by its author for whatever reason, it is absurd that the files gets removed from the data folder of the user. Steam workshop chose the least practical route for file structure managing, litteraly syncronize your files to the point, if being offline or mod author remove his mod profile, it tresspass your data folder and delete your files without your consent. Its not an issue with the author of a said mod. This is an issue with how steam workshop is implemented. Why change?: To prevent crashes, and your savegame from being corrupted and thus ruin gameplay experience for every mod-users using steam workshop. Implement a feature to track where the files get downloaded to. So if for instance in total war, if radious mod get updated, you can see it in the description in the download tab, instead of just saying 'workshop content' it would display 'radious mod'. A description in the download tab about which mod is getting updated, like you use for other steam games. Implement a 'Set download speed' option, so mod updates wont download with full speed while in-game. Implement a 'prevent auto-update' feature for mods Main goal: To prevent steam workshop from auto-deleting mods

How to delete steam workshop mods