Multiple Factorio Directories (API, Mod, or Suggestion?)

[MalContentFL]

To give an example, the new Minecraft Launcher lets you make profile that can run different versions and mods.
Some mods in Factorio conflict and some people might want to try an older/experimental version without fear of losing saves, and making backups and disabling mods is tedious, so I would like if a mod was available that would let Factorio run out of multiple directories.

Basically, on the Launch Menu, a new button that says Directories will let you make new directories, edit them, or delete old ones. Each directory can have its own set of mods, saves, and different versions. Directories can be named, and when it is created, Factorio makes a new directory in %appdata% (for Windows), and then you can add/remove mods, change versions, and have different saves.

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Maybe Factorio could have a Backup Directory too that keeps the saves from all directories backed up every-now-and-then, just in case there is an accident.
This might be complicated, but the current Factorio folder would be made into a subfolder named Factorio, and all the directories are kept in one folder in %appdata%. The files for Factorio would be moved into %appdata% so they are easier to find.

[Turtle]

You can just download the .zip instead of the installer, then each version will have their own saves in their own directories. The only problem is the mods... saves can't turn off specific mods without restarting the game.

[FreeER]

this:

You can just download the .zip instead of the installer

or local github repo or other version management system (plus use a script to launch Factorio and auto commit after Factorio closes?)...beyond that, modders do not have that much capability to change how Factorio actually works, so it'd be up to the devs to implement such (or someone to make a third party program like the minecraft launcher).

[Dark]

If I understood correctly, the guy basically wants an ability to switch between instances of factorio installations along with mods/saves.
This is accomplishable by external launcher which renames/moves directories around before starting the game (or bunch of zip installations and another buch of shortcuts). The said launcher can also be used as save inspector and could synchronize enabled mods with a particular save game.