How to update "HL2 Update mod to latest 2022 version of Source engine (UPDATED 2023)

How to Update the HL2 Update mod to the latest HL2 version (Updated as of Nov 16 2024)
(which fixes bugs with NPCs like Dropship unable to turn guns, and various other issues, plus add GamepadUI, Vulkan, etc..)

>>> RECOMMENDED <<<
Updated: 11/16/2024
TL;DR, if you want a simplified version of this, with installer, go here:
GameBanana: https://gamebanana.com/mods/429040
PCGW: https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2588-hl2-update-source-2022-patch-updated-2023/
GitHub: https://github.com/megakarlach/HL2UpdatePlusPlus/release
>>> RECOMMENDED <<<

IMPORTANT: THE TUTORIAL BELOW ONLY APPLICABLE FOR THE "steam_legacy" BRANCH, AND DOES NOT APPLY TO 20th anniversary update, which have so many changes.

The versions that came with the HL2 Update (https://store.steampowered.com/app/290930) are running on a version of Source 2013 (which was last updated in 2014/2015, while fixing most of the bugs introduced in 2010 (https://web.archive.org/web/20160830085422/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1286478)
 with the release of Source 2009 (Orange Box) build of vanilla HL2, this version was never updated again and was quickly out of date by 2019 when Valve added new bug fixes to the vanilla HL2, which HL2 Update did not get the same update).

And later with the 2022 included big changes (again, which only the original HL2 had) such as:
- Increased FOV from 90 to 110 (120 max via Console "fov_desired 120")
- HUD Aspect Ratio (4:3, 16:9, 16:10)
- Vulkan renderer (-vulkan), DXVK 2.0
- Working Gamepad UI/Steam Deck UI (-gamepadui)
- Better controller support (Steam Input) - BROKEN AND DOES NOTHING BECAUSE OF STEAM SERVER-SIDE, USE LEGACY XINPUT INSTEAD (-nosteamcontroller)
- Updated localization strings and captions
- Customized Gamepad UI to have the images on "New Game" chapters matching the one from HL2 Update.
- and more...

The following bugs has been fixed:
Source: https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/54632, https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/eventcomments/3186864498791444368, https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/eventcomments/3186864020195591813
- Long loading saves bug/engine freezing while saving has been fixed (caused by the game tries to access \\MOD, which freezes the engine).
- Fixed some stuttering on level transitions
- NPC eyes not blinking
- Missing Combine sounds has been fixed (noticeable by shooting them)
- Dropship container gun fix which makes the gun possible to turn (existed since 2010, now fixed). This wasn't the case for Source 2004/2006 branch before 2010: https://youtu.be/2mJZzU6-coo?t=300
- and much more...

Here's how to update Half-Life 2: Update to latest November 17, 2023 version taken from vanilla HL2.
!!! WARNING !!!: This is the manual install method, which is mostly out of date and has been replaced by the automated installer method as it's was more optimized, and more polished. Additonally, this tutorial DOES NOT applies to 20th anniversary update.

NOTE: Not following the steps correctly or skipping most or all of this (by simply copying dlls file and dont do anything else) will result in missing textures in UI (corner area) or even bugged Video Options menu, possibly even the game crashes.

1. Copy client.dll & server.dll & gamepad.dll (new Deck/2022 and newer versions only) from HL2
to HL2 update bin folder.
2. Copy the outside bin (near platform) folder to HL2 update outside bin folder (remember to backup).
Both (Step 1 & 2) will update the game to newest version.
3. Open hl2_textures_dir.vpk with GCFScape, go to materials folder:

Extract gamepadui to HL2 Update > hl2 and create materials folder, paste inside it.
Also Extract the following:
materials/vgui/hud/8x800corner1.vtf
materials/vgui/hud/8x800corner2.vtf
materials/vgui/hud/8x800corner3.vtf
materials/vgui/hud/8x800corner4.vtf
to newly created materials folder.

4. Open hl2_misc_dir.vpk
Go to materials > vgui > hud and extract:
8x800corner1.vmt
8x800corner2.vmt
8x800corner3.vmt
8x800corner4.vmt
to the HL2 Update materials\vgui\hud folder.
Do the same for gamepadui folder and extract everything to the materials folder.
This (Step 3 & 4) will fix the missing corner textures.

5. open hl2_pak_dir.vpk on vanilla hl2 and drag gamepadui folder to hl2 (HL2 Update) folder, this will fix missing text and UI for Gamepad mode (NOTE THAT THIS WILL NOT RESTORE THE MISSING COMMUNITY COMMENTARY OPTION FOR THE GAMEPAD UI, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ZIP.)

6. Go to hl2\resource (Update) and
Replace all file with .res (Except GameMenu.res to keep the option to enable Commentary Mode) and the ttf (fonts) with the one from original HL2
Copy all gameui_(language).txt from the same resource folder and paste it to the Update's resource folder.
Copy the ui (from original HL2) folder and paste it to Update resource folder.
Copy outside platform folder and paste to HL2 Update folder (remember to backup old one).
and Copy scripts folder (original HL2) to HL2 Update\hl2 folder (This will mostly fixes NPCs like Dropships to able aim & shoot anywhere
like original versions, plus may also fix some NPCs unable to shoot without new scripts).

These will fix the missing Video Options (including new FOV scales), Audio Options, etc... (including its text)
introduced in newer version, aswell fixing subtitle sizes

Optionally copy the steam.inf from (original HL2)\hl2 and paste it to HL2 Update\hl2 folder, change the appID to 290930 and name to hl2update (which would making the console properly showing the latest patch version you have installed (via console command "version" or the Source build number shown on top right of the screen when console is opened, which can be useful sometimes if you want to do this tutorial again to update if needed).
7. Done, Launch the game.

Additional notes: UPDATED TO FIX STEAM DECK GAMEPAD UI (Partially with some inconsistency and missing Commentary options unless you use the zip/installer above)